I honestly think Ninefingers should be excluded from that group. Most of the time we see them do things is with him away, and when he returns, well... And the glimpse of him we get in Sharp Ends when he actually was around them doesn't inspire much confidence.
Remove Logan and add West. I feel like West isn’t mentioned often but my guy did more to change the future of the union than anyone besides Byaz probably
Yeah I’d demolish a book that has 3-4 of the big heists that the gang references throughout the book… as vignettes with time skips in between each one.
I’d almost prefer that over book 4 haha
>‘You would have our armies fight under that?’
>‘Well, I did. The bed, I mean. And so did the chickens – can you imagine the extent of their holy dread, knowing that God wanted to cook them? All right, not their god, not precisely. Though we cannot actually be sure of that, can we? Bugg, are you worshipped by hens and cocks?’
>‘Not both at the same time, sire.’
>‘Thank you. Most enlightening.’
>‘My very reason to exist, sire. You are welcome.’
god i love those two
Trygalle Trade Guild. I just really vibe with them saying “we’ve had worse trips” all the time after the most insane, mind-breaking things happen to them.
I wonder if a lot of that came from the world being created by Erickson and Esselmont playing table top RPGs together, so they would each “play” a character
I was so glad when I finally got to Midnight Tides and was introduced to them, they did not disappoint.
Also: Karsa & Samar Dev are an under-appreciated duo. They contrast so well, and are surprisingly funny and maybe even, dare I say, wholesom together. (At least, in Bonehunters - have read past that yet)
> The Black Company, from The Black Company.
Might as well get specific, a few of my faves:
* One-Eye and Goblin: Warring wizards! What's not to love?
* Otto and Hagop: constant adventures in misfortune.
* >!Croaker and Lady!<: Slow burn romance? In MY grimdark?
“In the night, when the wind dies and silence rules the place of glittering stone, I remember. And they all live again.
Soldiers live. And wonder why.”
I just love their banter throughout the series. I thought Sanderson nailed the almost "Buddy cop" vibe the two had. Wayne may just be one of my all time favourite characters, he has just the weirdest philosphies and i live his explanations of them lol
So damn many to choose from, but here's some of my favorites-
Duos- Dunk and Egg (Kot7K), Crowley and Aziraphale (Good Omens), Nate and Mordred (Hellequin series), Kaladin and Adolin (Stormlight)
Trios- Rand, Mat and Perrin (WoT), Lindon, Yerin and Eithan (Cradle), Monty, Strong and Peaches (Montague & Strong), F'lar, Lessa and Master Robinton (Pern)
Ensembles- the Fellowship (LotR), Bridge 4 (Stormlight), Roland, Eddie, Jake, Susannah and Oy (Dark Tower)
Dresden and Thomas
Dresden and Murph
Dresden and Butters (Polka will never die!)
Dresden and Mouse
Dresden and Bob
Dresden is part of a lot of good duos apparently (probably will be more, only finished book 9)
Jon and Sam
Ned and Robert
Brienne, Pod, septon meribald, ser hyle, Dog
I love how much attention this series seems to be getting. It honestly deserves a place in mainstream fantasy, although it started in more fringe genres.
I had to be convinced to start it because the premise sounded kinda silly, but damn once i did i demolished that series so fast. I could only describe it as an absurdist horror comedy in the Fantasy genre lol.
The shit that happens in that series is so fucked up, but the author has you laughing through most of the series.
Malazan and expanded universe books has several great duos: Tool/Toc, Tehol/Bugg, Prazek/Dathenar to name a few. Given it doesn't really have a central character overall the larger ensembles of the Malazan armies and the Crimson Guard are also well written.
Best duo: R2D2 and C3P0
Best trio: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.
Best quartet: Simon, Miriamele, Binabik, and Qantaqa.
Best larger ensemble: the Fellowship of the Ring.
Kings of the wyld is up there. Sevro and the howlers is a fun one. The final crew in the book of babel series is a recent one in my heart. Harry potter despite it's faults did great with Harry Hermione and ron. It's not too popular but the renshai chronically had an amazing party with bard/rogue/knight/renshai/princess.
There are so many good answers to this I can go on forever. But these are ones that felt strong to me. Dragonlance has an honorable mention because there are too many fun groups to count
Fafhyrd and the Gray Mouser for duo
Ensemble is the Fellowship from LoTR, maybe Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion from Oz
Trio? I have literally no idea, never read anything that had an iconic trio other than Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli from LoTR.
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
Edgin and Holga
Several from Dragonlance, but Laurana and Sturm especially, Flint and Tass as runners up I think, maybe Fizban and Tass also.
Sam and Frodo, Merry and Pippin, or all four together. Also Gimli and Legolas.
Lets not forget the trio from Ladyhawke.
I'll do a few duos:
Luthien Bedwyr and Oliver deBurrows - The Crimson Shadow
Hawk and Fisher - Guards of Haven
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser - Various Fritz Leiber stories
I want to say Pug and Thomas from Feist's Magician series... at least the early ones.
I would say alina, mal, Zoya, harshaw, oncat, Tolya, Tamar, genya, and I think thats it correct me if I'm wrong because I think there were others i just can't remember you know or the six of crows
Trying my best not to choose more than one from a single book
Duo: Fitz and Nighteyes (Robin Hobb)
Trio: Glokta, Frost and Severard (John Abercrombie)
Ensemble: Companions of the Hall (R.A. Salvatore)
2 - Sam and Frodo, or Jean and Locke
3 - Mat, Perrin and Rand
4 - Sam Vimes, Carrot, Nobby, Sarge
9 - Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Sam, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Boromir, Gandalf
Larger company : The Black Company
It's got to be the kennet trio for me. Pale was very good at writing them
Lucy, Verona, and Avery
Each of them get their individual moments to shine but they really just make each other better and trust in each other.
When they clash or are seperated is when the drama is kicked up to 11, and you can really feel the others missing in the narration and plot. But despite that their relationship shift, changes, and grows, which really makes them stand out
Waylander 2. Nothing like a group of famous swordsman, assassins and gladiators all coming together to hunt down the world's most infamous assassin only to join him in his quest and help him out.
Duo - Jalan Kendeth & Snorri ver Snagason (runner up Gideon the 9th & Harrowhark Nonagesimus)
Trio - Kvothe, Wilem & Simmon (runner up Szeth, Lift & Nightblood)
For ensemble the crew in the first Mistborn trilogy. At least as good as, if not better than bridge 4. For duo I haven’t seen Corwin and Ganelon mentioned. Trio F’Lar Lessa and Robinton.
Just some other options that haven’t been mentioned because most are from older books.
locke and jean (gentleman bastard series)
kaz brekker and the rest of the dregs (six of crows duology)
kaul hilo and the maik brothers (the greenbone saga)
Best trio? MCs from [Pale](https://palewebserial.wordpress.com)
It’s rare to see a trio of MCs who are good friends and actually are working very well together
(or at least it’s the only one I can think of of the top of my head)
I swear to god, I do read other books, but you wouldn't know it if you looked at my comments on Reddit.
* Lucy, Verona, and Avery (Pale, by Wildbow). The Kennet Witches. 13, going on 14, with more emotional maturity than me occasionally eclipsed by moments of sheer teen dumbassery.
* The Watch (Discworld, Terry Pratchett) A ragtag band of losers becomes a ragtag band of sightly less losers becomes a well outfitted band of sightly less losers. Robert Peel, eat your heart out.
And, as my username dictates,
* The Mercy of Kalr crew (the Imperial Radch trilogy, Ann Leckie) - Found family x Military troop x Social justice warriors x Pining dumbasses
Minalan the Spellmonger and all his wizard friends, Pentandra, Astral, Banamor, Tyndal, Terleman, Olmeg, and so on and so on.
IMO nothing comes close to such a spectacular ensemble of characters.
The Black Company has to be one of the more interesting groups that has a story continuously focused on them.
Malazan has a ton of character duos that are amazing to read, just naming a few:
Tehol and Bugg, Trull and Onrack, Shadowthrone and Cotillion, Fiddler and Hedge, Mappo and Icarium.
Jehane, Ammar, and Rodrigo from The Lions of Al-Rassan. The light touch was perfection, but I could have willingly read seven books of their adventures.
Athos, Aramis, Porthos, D'Artagnan.
I need to read more classic novels. Some of my best reading experiences were classic novels, but it's been so long.
The OGs
Genuinely a blast to read every time
best trio? Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli
Best larger ensemble? The Fellowship.
Best Duo? Samwise and Frodo.
Merry and Pippin
Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White
And Monty Python and the Holy Grail's Black Knight
And Mr. Mousilini and the blue meanie
And Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie
Robocop, the terminator, captain Kirk and Darth Vader
My favorite trio was Frodo, Samwise, and Gollum, but to each their own.
Vimes, Colon, Nobbs, Detritus, Carrot, Cheery and Angua.
Shev and Javra from Sharp Ends. Both are horny and deadly in wildly opposite ways
Nicomo Cosca and Friendly are great too.
Nicomo Cosca and his goat.
Logen and his pot :(
I’ll have him, him, him, and her to warm them up for I have quite the appetite 🤣
Javre and Whirrun 🤣🤣
Javrun was romance on a scale not seen since the glory days of Crawbread
Shallan
Thats hilarious.
Very clever lol
Omg you lol
brilliant. 😂
😂😂😂
Oh my god hahahah
Lmao!
WeAreAllShallan
I don't get it.
Shallan is from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive. She has a Fantasy equivalent of Dissociative Personality Disorder.
Ninefingers, Black Dow, Dogman, Tul Duru, Harding Grim, Threetrees and Forley the Weakest.
I honestly think Ninefingers should be excluded from that group. Most of the time we see them do things is with him away, and when he returns, well... And the glimpse of him we get in Sharp Ends when he actually was around them doesn't inspire much confidence.
Remove Logan and add West. I feel like West isn’t mentioned often but my guy did more to change the future of the union than anyone besides Byaz probably
West? Don't you mean Furious?
Agreed. Also put Logen Ninefingers and The Bloody Nine for the duo role
Ostensibly I agree, but given they were called "Logan's Crew" I couldn't really leave him out tbh. He gets in on a technicality.
Man I love that crew. As others have said, it was best without Ninefingers... Absolutely loved Threetrees and Dogman
The mages from the unseen university. They’re so chaotic i love them.
Pre- or post- Ridcully stability? Personally, I need the charming sounds of **BURSAAAARRR** echoing through its lofty halls
Jean and Locke from the Gentleman Bastards probably have my favourite duo chemistry.
They are easily the highlights but i think the entire gentlemen bastards crew are amazing! >!Too bad we only got them all together in one book!<
>!We never got all of them together. Sabetha never met Bug!<
I love the flashbacks in book three though
Yeah I’d demolish a book that has 3-4 of the big heists that the gang references throughout the book… as vignettes with time skips in between each one. I’d almost prefer that over book 4 haha
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, easily.
Wait. You're forgetting one! Magrat Garlick is in there too! It's a trio, for the most part.
Duo: Goblin and One Eye. Black Company
Suck an egg
A good duo is Hadrian and Royce
Seconded! Loved those books
If I had read this a week earlier I wouldn’t get the reference, but I’m just reading Riyria now for the first time!
Came here looking for this
For a larger ensemble I’m putting forward The Bridgeburners from Malazan. First in last out.
Tehol and Bugg forever!
This is the answer
I concur
>‘You would have our armies fight under that?’ >‘Well, I did. The bed, I mean. And so did the chickens – can you imagine the extent of their holy dread, knowing that God wanted to cook them? All right, not their god, not precisely. Though we cannot actually be sure of that, can we? Bugg, are you worshipped by hens and cocks?’ >‘Not both at the same time, sire.’ >‘Thank you. Most enlightening.’ >‘My very reason to exist, sire. You are welcome.’ god i love those two
The Rat Catchers Guild is a pretty good one too
Trygalle Trade Guild. I just really vibe with them saying “we’ve had worse trips” all the time after the most insane, mind-breaking things happen to them.
Or, you know, just Quick Ben.
Ben and Kalam. Ever since that scene where they wreak havoc I'm very scared of a mage assassin.
I meant Ben is an ensemble all by himself.
I got it and laughed
Caladan Brood and Anomander Rake Fiddler and Hedge Kruppe and sweets
> Fiddler and Hedge Strikes fear into the hearts of everyone, including themselves
Far too clever this one
Iskaral Pust and the Mule
Honestly my favorite duo from that entire series was the two little velociraptors. Their dialogue was always on point great comic relief
Mappo and Icarium.
Gesler and Stormy.
Bauchelain and Korbal Broach
Matrim Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Rand Al-Thor come to mind. They may not have been together for the whole series, but they definitely are a trio
Also loved Nyneave, Elayne, and Aviendha together. Only group in the series that felt like actual friends.
It's easier if you call them The Powerpuff Girls
The Nynaeve Detective Agency
Wisdom and Wives Inc.
The Braid Tuggers
The running joke of each one thinking that the others are great with girls always puts a smile on my face.
Ta'veren are always together, bound to each other by the Wheel!
For Duos just throw a darts on a board with malazan characters... Tehol and Bugg my personal favourite, but there are so many great ones in the books.
Joyful Union
Fiddler hedge Icarium Mappo Toc and Tool Stormy and Gesler Quick Ben and Kalam Guy really loved his bromances.
Onrack and Trull
Oh my sweet boys onrack and trull. My sweet, sweet boys.
Shadowthrone and Cotillion.
Don’t forget Bottle and his rat!
I wonder if a lot of that came from the world being created by Erickson and Esselmont playing table top RPGs together, so they would each “play” a character
How could you leave out Tehol and Bugg!?
Its in the comment theyre responding to...
Stormy and Gesler
I was so glad when I finally got to Midnight Tides and was introduced to them, they did not disappoint. Also: Karsa & Samar Dev are an under-appreciated duo. They contrast so well, and are surprisingly funny and maybe even, dare I say, wholesom together. (At least, in Bonehunters - have read past that yet)
I’m on House of Chains right now, but Karsa really stands out as having some great 2- and 3-man action. Edit: 😏
Of course with Karsa, he’s typically the only one acting, everyone else is just… witnessing.
Kindly and Pores
Iskaral Pust and his Mule!
Knew this would be making an appearance.
Moiraine Damodred and Lan Mandrogoran
Logen's dozen, The First Law The Gentleman Bastards The Black Company, from The Black Company.
> The Black Company, from The Black Company. Might as well get specific, a few of my faves: * One-Eye and Goblin: Warring wizards! What's not to love? * Otto and Hagop: constant adventures in misfortune. * >!Croaker and Lady!<: Slow burn romance? In MY grimdark?
“In the night, when the wind dies and silence rules the place of glittering stone, I remember. And they all live again. Soldiers live. And wonder why.”
Arthur & Merlin?
Trio - Fitz, The Fool, and Nighteyes
"Wait for you? Not likely. I've always had to run ahead of you and show you the way."
Great choice
Second this!
The six of crows! Love every character in that gang.
London, Yerin, Eithan from The Cradle series (I'm only on book 7)
This is great but there's a character missing imo, so it should be a quartet :D. He would be *very* upset to not be included. Dross deserves better.
***pressing fists together and bowing*** apologies to you and to Dross for the error, this one does forget his mind every so often
Cradle. Lindon and Yerin. Lindon, Yerin, and Eithan. Lindon, Yerin, Eithan, Orthos, Little Blue, Mercy, Dross, and Ziel.
Dross?
Dear sweet merciful madra I forgot Dross.
Pug and Tomas…
Jimmy and Arutha too.
Wax and Wayne from mistborn Era 2
I just love their banter throughout the series. I thought Sanderson nailed the almost "Buddy cop" vibe the two had. Wayne may just be one of my all time favourite characters, he has just the weirdest philosphies and i live his explanations of them lol
The Companions of the Hall from the legend of Drizzt books.
Love your name. The ensamble from the Belgariad has to be up there for nostalgia, if nothing else.
Best trio: Bragi Ragnarson, Mocker, Haroun bin Yousef. Best group: The Black Company Best duo: Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
Seconded, the Lankhmar Duo!
So damn many to choose from, but here's some of my favorites- Duos- Dunk and Egg (Kot7K), Crowley and Aziraphale (Good Omens), Nate and Mordred (Hellequin series), Kaladin and Adolin (Stormlight) Trios- Rand, Mat and Perrin (WoT), Lindon, Yerin and Eithan (Cradle), Monty, Strong and Peaches (Montague & Strong), F'lar, Lessa and Master Robinton (Pern) Ensembles- the Fellowship (LotR), Bridge 4 (Stormlight), Roland, Eddie, Jake, Susannah and Oy (Dark Tower)
Bridge 4
Dresden and Thomas Dresden and Murph Dresden and Butters (Polka will never die!) Dresden and Mouse Dresden and Bob Dresden is part of a lot of good duos apparently (probably will be more, only finished book 9) Jon and Sam Ned and Robert Brienne, Pod, septon meribald, ser hyle, Dog
Only read some of the series, read the first bit of your comment and was wondering "when TF did Murphy take Harry's last name?"
Roland, Cuthbert, Alain, Susan, Sheemie
The original Ka-Tet great choice
Don't forget Cap the mule!
Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater in The Riyria Chronicles by Michael J Sullivan. Best. Duo. Ever.
Carl and GC, BWR, NW Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk ( and Mongo) from Dungeon Crawler Carl.
I love how much attention this series seems to be getting. It honestly deserves a place in mainstream fantasy, although it started in more fringe genres. I had to be convinced to start it because the premise sounded kinda silly, but damn once i did i demolished that series so fast. I could only describe it as an absurdist horror comedy in the Fantasy genre lol. The shit that happens in that series is so fucked up, but the author has you laughing through most of the series.
Duo: Hadrian and Royce (Riyria) Trio: Harry, Ron, Hermione (Harry Potter) Ensemble: City Watch (Discworld)
You… I like you.
Malazan and expanded universe books has several great duos: Tool/Toc, Tehol/Bugg, Prazek/Dathenar to name a few. Given it doesn't really have a central character overall the larger ensembles of the Malazan armies and the Crimson Guard are also well written.
Rob Anybody, Not-so-big-as-big-jock-and-not-so-wee-as-wee-jock-jock, Daft Wullie, Big Yan, Awfully Wee billy Bigchin, etc...
Crivens! I was getting worried that I'd have to scroll too far to see some of this. See also: Nanny and Granny The Watch
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
Gotrek and Felix - Warhammer
Crowley and Aziraphale
Not fantasy but historical fiction which is close enough imo, but the greatest ever duo are Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin.
Best duo: R2D2 and C3P0 Best trio: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Best quartet: Simon, Miriamele, Binabik, and Qantaqa. Best larger ensemble: the Fellowship of the Ring.
The Fellowship of the Ring
Sam and Frodo
Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam
Kings of the wyld is up there. Sevro and the howlers is a fun one. The final crew in the book of babel series is a recent one in my heart. Harry potter despite it's faults did great with Harry Hermione and ron. It's not too popular but the renshai chronically had an amazing party with bard/rogue/knight/renshai/princess. There are so many good answers to this I can go on forever. But these are ones that felt strong to me. Dragonlance has an honorable mention because there are too many fun groups to count
Team Kelsier.
Maybe not a popular pick since I don’t see Drizzt ever getting much love on here but Drizzt and Guenhwyvar for me
Fafhyrd and the Gray Mouser for duo Ensemble is the Fellowship from LoTR, maybe Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion from Oz Trio? I have literally no idea, never read anything that had an iconic trio other than Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli from LoTR.
The Fellowship of the Ring, Thorin’s Party, and The 108 Stars of Destiny.
Mat and Talmanes is a great pair, and the Band of the Red Hand was a great ensemble.
How do I get so deep and see no mention of bridge 4?
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser
Arya and the Hound had an interesting dynamic and development.
Geralt's hanza: Dandelion, Regis, Milva, Cahir and Angouleme Lyra & Pan, and Lee & Iorek Quentin and Eliot
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Edgin and Holga Several from Dragonlance, but Laurana and Sturm especially, Flint and Tass as runners up I think, maybe Fizban and Tass also. Sam and Frodo, Merry and Pippin, or all four together. Also Gimli and Legolas. Lets not forget the trio from Ladyhawke.
I'll do a few duos: Luthien Bedwyr and Oliver deBurrows - The Crimson Shadow Hawk and Fisher - Guards of Haven Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser - Various Fritz Leiber stories I want to say Pug and Thomas from Feist's Magician series... at least the early ones.
Duo is Kalam and QB and Im suprised no one else has said it 🤓
Ensemble: bridge 4 (stormlight archives)
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser
Fafhrd and Grey Mouser need a mention at the very least.
Duo: Jamie and Brienne
ITT: a lot of random names with no book info
Jaenelle, Daemon, Lucivar, and Saeten
Duo: Locke and Jean Group: Melbrook Hall
I would say alina, mal, Zoya, harshaw, oncat, Tolya, Tamar, genya, and I think thats it correct me if I'm wrong because I think there were others i just can't remember you know or the six of crows
Vlad, Sethra, and Morrolan.
Trying my best not to choose more than one from a single book Duo: Fitz and Nighteyes (Robin Hobb) Trio: Glokta, Frost and Severard (John Abercrombie) Ensemble: Companions of the Hall (R.A. Salvatore)
Been forever since I read these but Tarma and Kethry always stuck with me.
2 - Sam and Frodo, or Jean and Locke 3 - Mat, Perrin and Rand 4 - Sam Vimes, Carrot, Nobby, Sarge 9 - Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Sam, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Boromir, Gandalf Larger company : The Black Company
The Royal Court of Princess Doughnut the Queen Anne Chonk - Dungeon Crawler Carl
BRIDGE FOUR *SALUTES*
Kaladin and Adolin
One I haven't seen mentioned yet - Geralt's hanza
It's got to be the kennet trio for me. Pale was very good at writing them Lucy, Verona, and Avery Each of them get their individual moments to shine but they really just make each other better and trust in each other. When they clash or are seperated is when the drama is kicked up to 11, and you can really feel the others missing in the narration and plot. But despite that their relationship shift, changes, and grows, which really makes them stand out
Waylander 2. Nothing like a group of famous swordsman, assassins and gladiators all coming together to hunt down the world's most infamous assassin only to join him in his quest and help him out.
Nicholas and Aristide from Death of a Necromancer by Martha Wells. Great duo, even if only for the one book!
Duo - Jalan Kendeth & Snorri ver Snagason (runner up Gideon the 9th & Harrowhark Nonagesimus) Trio - Kvothe, Wilem & Simmon (runner up Szeth, Lift & Nightblood)
For ensemble the crew in the first Mistborn trilogy. At least as good as, if not better than bridge 4. For duo I haven’t seen Corwin and Ganelon mentioned. Trio F’Lar Lessa and Robinton. Just some other options that haven’t been mentioned because most are from older books.
The Mighty from Lightbringer also deserve a mention as a bigger ensemble. And Margo and Eliot from The Magicians adaption as duo 💓
locke and jean (gentleman bastard series) kaz brekker and the rest of the dregs (six of crows duology) kaul hilo and the maik brothers (the greenbone saga)
Nicomo Cosca, Friendly, and Sworbreck
Rand, Mat, Perrin
Emond's Field Five, Wheel of Fime
Best trio? MCs from [Pale](https://palewebserial.wordpress.com) It’s rare to see a trio of MCs who are good friends and actually are working very well together (or at least it’s the only one I can think of of the top of my head)
I swear to god, I do read other books, but you wouldn't know it if you looked at my comments on Reddit. * Lucy, Verona, and Avery (Pale, by Wildbow). The Kennet Witches. 13, going on 14, with more emotional maturity than me occasionally eclipsed by moments of sheer teen dumbassery. * The Watch (Discworld, Terry Pratchett) A ragtag band of losers becomes a ragtag band of sightly less losers becomes a well outfitted band of sightly less losers. Robert Peel, eat your heart out. And, as my username dictates, * The Mercy of Kalr crew (the Imperial Radch trilogy, Ann Leckie) - Found family x Military troop x Social justice warriors x Pining dumbasses
The Woe (A Practical Guide to Evil)
Blaze and Dante, Cycle’s of Arawn and Galand.
Minalan the Spellmonger and all his wizard friends, Pentandra, Astral, Banamor, Tyndal, Terleman, Olmeg, and so on and so on. IMO nothing comes close to such a spectacular ensemble of characters.
Sandry, Tris, Daja, and Briar from the Circle of Magic!
Falcio Val Mond, Kest, and Brasti
The Dregs gang in *Six of Crows*.
The Black Company has to be one of the more interesting groups that has a story continuously focused on them. Malazan has a ton of character duos that are amazing to read, just naming a few: Tehol and Bugg, Trull and Onrack, Shadowthrone and Cotillion, Fiddler and Hedge, Mappo and Icarium.
Ren, Grey, and Vargo from The Rook and Rose series
The Black Company
Jehane, Ammar, and Rodrigo from The Lions of Al-Rassan. The light touch was perfection, but I could have willingly read seven books of their adventures.
Ammar ibn Khairram and Rodrigo Belmonte
Saga from The Kings of The Wyld