Elan Morin Tedronai

For BG1 I pick up the NPCs that were left in Irenicus' dungeon:

Thomas (Paladin)
Minsc (Ranger)
Khalid (Fighter)
Jaheira (Fighter/Druid)
Imoen (Thief, dualed to Mage at level 4)
Dynaheir (Evoker)

Not a bad party, but not the best overall. As mods I use only UB. For BG2 I make these changes:

Thomas (Cavalier) - PC
Anomen (Fighter/Cleric) - decent fighter and good cleric
Minsc (Ranger)
Nalia (Mage/Thief) -> Imoen (Mage/Thief) - since Imoen is missing in the early to middle stages of the game. After I rescue Imoen I ditch Nalia in favour of her.
Viconia (Cleric) - the best cleric ever, combined with Girdle of Stromnos she is killer machine. Beside the romance is very good.

My ToB party looks like this. Can't wait to make UB for ToB. Would love to play an "original" game.

Thomas (Cavalier) - PC
Sarevok (Fighter) - The interaction is awesome in Ascension mod. And by far the best fighter.
Minsc (Ranger) - At late stage of the game is one of the best fighters, best equipped with Two-Handed sword or Halberd.
Viconia (Cleric) - probably the best Cleric in the game. Crom Fayr makes her fantastic. But generally due to low health it is best to equip as a range-attacker.
Imoen (Dual Mage/Thief) - the second best mage after Irenicus and the best thief. I use Ascension mod to boost Imoen's effectiveness in ToB.
Irenicus (Mage) - I use The Longer Road by Dorotea, because I really damn love Irenicus in my party. By far the best mage in the game. Too bad he can't do that spell which he does against the Cowled Wizards.

I prefer 4-man parties. It gives me room to improvising and also to cover the best abilities, weapons and expertises in the game. So I prefer 4-man parties.

Best:

Dwarf Fighter
Half-elf Fighter/Cleric
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Elf Mage/Thief

Also:

Elf Ranger
Half-elf Fighter/Druid
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Elf Mage/Thief

Alternative:

Human Paladin
Dwarf Fighter/Cleric
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Half-elf Bard

Additional:

Dwarf Fighter
Elf Cleric/Ranger
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Elf Mage/Thief

There can also be 3-man core band.
Dwarf Fighter/Cleric
Halfling Fighter/Thief
Elf Mage/Thief

One thing to say, pure Mage sucks. Mage is best combined with Thief because Thief gains levels the fastest and also boosts the HP and the overall attacking power. You can give him a Bow and he becomes killer machine. Thieves are also a bit lacking for the aforementioned reason so it's best to combine with Mage or Fighter. You can see that Halfling Fighter/Thief is ever present in all my parties. He is a killer. Got to say that if the Mage/Thief had one additional weapon slot it would be fenomenal. I know Mult-Fighters combined with Cleric or Druid gain levels slower but for longer perspective they are better than dual Fighters. I also recommend giving all your characters ranged weapons because it boosts the percent of killing and the overall attacking power. My favourite classes are Fighter/Cleric and Fighter/Thief. Casters are necessary but only in the forms of Mage/Thief or Bard.

I also even recommend trying the game with solo player, best Dwarf Fighter/Cleric or Elf Fighter/Mage/Cleric.

That's all for now. Regards: Chavdar