i never use special characters simply because i really enjoy building my own characters' 'legends' so to speak!
i really enjoy the story aspect of the game and also, there really aren't any special characters that fit into my story! out of 2 inquisition books, every special character is a goody-two shoes puritan...
over corse, my own character is a filthy, dirty radical!
as for never using a named guard commander, well again, i just can't really picture any of them not leading their own regiment into battle!
besides, i have a hard time picturing the likes of commissar gaunt enjoying his time in a regiment of zealously loyal, imperial nutters who are being used by a radical inquisitor!
cheers!