Rounding out my party

Kneller

So, I've been debating my class choice for what will be my first complete run through this game (I've yet to finish BG2). I was leaning towards the cleric/wild mage (with shadowkeeper) for versatility, but I'm just not a fan of spellcasting in this game (or D&D in general).

Here's the thing, my core party is going to be Minsc, Jah, and Yoshi->Imoen. This party alone can cover everything, even without charname, Minsc can tank, Jah can offtank and heal, and Imoen has CC and a bit of DPS locked down. I think the Cleric/Wild Mage will be a little redundant once I get Imoen back. With how little I like magic, Imoen will be enough to cover the necessities. Also, I think the cleric is going to be a little nerfed on the cleric side of things due to the level lag (i.e. dispel magics, turn undead, etc.). On top of that, the mage will be slowed down as well. While taking a mage to the end game is solid, does the same go for the cleric? So, here's what I'm considering.

1) Stick with the C/M Multi and just finally finish this game already.

2) Cleric dualed to a Wild mage (with SK). The prime times to dual would be 9, 11, and 14. To get 5th, 6th, and 7th level cleric spells respectively. I think 11 might be idea. It opens up more than 9, but doesn't hold you back as much as 14. I'll still get a decent amount of cleric utility to supplement what will effectively be a single-classed mage (in terms of XP progression). Not that I'm saying clerics are useless, but with Jah already in the party, you don't need that much divinity, I feel. Also, much like with the cleric/mage multi, I'd be concerned with the redundancy once I get Imoen back.

3) Cavalier. This guy might be a tad redundant. Minsc and Jah will have no trouble holding the front line, I expect. I've played with a paladin before and he kinda stole the show. While plowing through mobs was fun, I'd like to maximize party synergy and ensure that everyone has something to do. If Minsc wouldn't be such a waste as an archer (he's too good to take off the front line), or if Jah was viable as one, I'd go that route. However, as it stands, I think three front-liners would be overkill.

4) Sorcerer. I really like the versatility of not having to memorize specific things. However, I think a single classed mage might be a little redundant after I get Imoen back. Not to say that I couldn't use two mages, but I think I might prefer more diversity.

5) Bard. I see this suggestion a lot, because they're so "well-rounded" but I'm just not into bards.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Caeria

Well, if you're not into spellcasting or bards, I probably wouldn't recommend a bard or a cleric/mage, since pretty much all a cleric/mage does is cast spells.

I personally only use bards as backup spellcasters, so that is something to consider. You won't need to do a lot of spellcasting, but you'll be able to give yourself stoneskin, for example, if you want to use yourself as a secondary tank or even primary archer. Still, if you're not into bards, you might lose interest.

I think the sorcerer is a great class to play. You clearly only want one mage, and the game is definitely doable with one mage and there's nothing wrong with that, but I really recommend having two. Obviously, people solo all the time, so having two mages isn't strictly necessary, but it does help to have a backup spellcaster. Plus the sorcerer is fun ^^

I love the cavalier class, but you're right, you probably don't need three front-liners. I've had three before, I think even four once, and yeah, it does feel like overkill. Minsc does make a decent archer, though, and I've used him as such before if you want to consider that. I rarely use him because he's too squishy for me though, so I'm no expert.

I did mention earlier you might not want to be a cleric/mage of any sort if you don't want to play a spellcaster, nevertheless, there are advantages. For one thing, as a druid, there will be some critical (in my opinion) divine spells that Jaheira will be missing, such a protection from evil 10' radius. If that doesn't bother you, then don't worry about it. It's just something to consider.

Anyway, that's my opinion, but in the end, I really think you should just do what you feel will hold your interest best. If you need to, just do a blind choosing

JLee

I agree that Sorcerer is a solid choice, given what I took from your post. They play quite different than a traditional mage and imo are a lot more enjoyable.

This party would offer a lot of flexibility with all the great weapons, provide key redundancies, and would definitely hit hard:

Keldorn
Minsc
Jaheira
Anomen
Yosh>Imoen
Sorcerer

However you approach it, I hope you finish it someday (at the very least SoA). It really is a great story that deserves its reputation. It feels great every time I finish it.

lunar

Clerics are a luxury come ToB.

Healing? Superiour healing potions and wands of resurrection are plenty. Mages can call in a planetar to raise dead and restore levels, and heal.
Turn undead? You can blast many undead with your spells or fighters anyway.

Kneller

Well, if I'm going to take Keldorn, I might as well be the paladin myself. I might do Vic instead. I've never done her romance. However, I am seeing the merits of the sorcerer. I can see a sorcerer being able cover debuffing, CC, and damage all on his own with his picks. How do you recommend I use them together effectively?