Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Edwin rocks as a mage
Jaheira is good only because of the romance quest (get it patched from TeamBG first!) and because of her elemental summons; particuarly in ToB
Minsc- good fighter
Viconia- Good cleric, though you need to give her a belt of giant strength, gauntlets of ogre strength, or crow feyre to make up for her lack of strength
Korgan - incredibly badass fighter, particuarly with mastery in axes. A MUST.
While I prefer being a fighter, getting your hands on the +5 Holy sword almost makes it worth it; 50% magic resistance on top of any existing magic resistance. Otherwise, replace Minsc with Keldorn and use an item to boost one of his weaker stats (he sucks in some stat, I just don't know which one off hand).
Make sure you install the bonus pack; Vhailors Helm allows anyone of any class who wears it to do simulcrum once a day. For example, if you're an incredibly badass Paladin with the holy sword, you can duplicate yourself. The duplicate is weaker than you, but it would otherwise have the same abilities AND the sword/other items while it's around. Also has the same items in it's quick slots. So you can have it, say, summon a genie with the lamp, while still saving your charges for your "real" character. It's very useful to have two characters with greater than 50% magic resistance in some fights. Also, Kangaxx can only be hurt by +4 weapons or greater. So get that crappy crystal staff for sale, give it to Korgan, duplicate him, then have both go berserk to make them immune to the maze spell, then stand back and haste him. A great way to get one of the best items in the game incredibly easily.