Certain characters have certain skills, and you make your own choices as to which you want. The pressure you feel is totally self-inflicted, and no way can that be called blackmail. Besides, the skills may be useful, but they are by no means essential. IIRC one guy won the game with a party of 4 archers, and said it was very easy. Admittedly, a party of 4 knights would find it hard going, but I believe it's been done. I can't remember whether it was this game or MM6 that somebody won with a solo knight.
