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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/37988
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/37988
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

There are more things to consider, with regards to who is the main character, than who is "the most important to the plot". Who is the POV character(s)? Whose inner thoughts do we hear? Whose emotions do we follow? (The POV character is not _necessarily_ the MC - Sherlock Holmes is a famous example to the contrary - but it is one element that would affect how your readers view the characters.)

If all four characters get about equal POV time, you can compare your story to _Song of Ice and Fire_: readers certainly get attached to G.R.R. Martin's numerous POV characters, and those POV characters certainly die partway through the story.

You mention that your four characters are together for most of the book. In that case you need to consider group dynamics. The leader of the group is not necessarily the MC - _The Lord of the Rings_ is a contrary example, but if you have one POV who is the leader, and three POVs who are tagging along, the character who's most active in making decisions is going to feel like the MC.

And one last thing for you to consider: you are worried about definitions. Is there any particular reason why you can't have four MCs? Or why a character who is not really the MC of the first book of your series can't grow into the role after his companions die? Those are just different ways to look at the setup you presented.

Original score: 11