I have decided that i want to be a cleric, but im unsure on the alignment, party members and size. I am going through Bg1 first but i think since my alignment will affect my class in Bg2 and party members would change that i should post it here. So if anyone has any ideas on an alignment and a small party with members that wouldnt clash with each other, could help a brother out.

Thanx

<font color=plum>The alignment you choose is up to you. Which do you feel more comfortable playing - good, neutral or evil?

Your alignment will affect which NPC's would make the "ideal" companions. There is decent selection of good and evil NPC's alike, though the good outnumber the evil. Of course, if you play a cleric of neutral alignment, then you can choose from good and evil alike, as long as the NPC's themselves get along.

Here are a few suggestions of possible NPC's for each alignment.

<font color=lime><u>GOOD</u></font>
<font color=dodgerblue>Keldorn - Paladin
Aerie - Cleric/Mage
Minsc - Ranger (also has plot interaction with Aerie)
Anomen - Cleric/Fighter
Mazzy - Fighter (female halfling)</font>

<font color=lime><u>NEUTRAL</u></font>
<font color=dodgerblue>Valygar - Ranger
Haer'Dalis - Blade (Bard kit)
Jan Jansen - Illusionist/Thief
Jaheira - druid/Fighter</font>

<font color=lime><u>EVIL</u></font>
<font color=dodgerblue>Korgan - Fighter
Edwin - Mage
Jaheira - Fighter/Druid
Anomen - (if he fails his test for knighthood)
Cernd - Shapeshifter Druid</font>

These are just basic suggestions. They aren't necessarily the best NPC's and I'm sure many people will have suggestions of their own. But based solely on alignment, these are some of the best matches for a party I could think of.

All NPC's have strengths and weaknesses that and can benefit your party if they are equipped and played correctly. There are also several "Mod NPC's" that have been created to be added to the game. Just do a Search for "MOD NPC's" and you will find a comprehensive list detailing their strengths and weaknesses.

Enjoy your game.</font>

All of those things are up to you. Your cleric's alignment as far as good/neutral/evil does influence which kit you can take (you don't lose any abilities, but which extra abilities you get from the kit are different for each of the kit). And the party members (other than those that just don't like each other) will stick with you unless your reputation goes too far in the opposite direction from them (good NPCs and a very low reputation, and visa versa). Of course, that part is just like BG1...

Personally, I would go with good or neutral to start with, with good being the easiest, then neutral, then evil. Evil has the deck stacked against them in the series (higher prices, guards popping up to attack, etc.). And as far as party competition, go with at least one of every main class (one tank, one cleric (you), one thief, and one mage). Personally, I would add some multi and dual classes to this. My first run through the game, I went with 3.5 tanks, 2 clerics, 0.5 thief, and 2.5 mage, though in BG1 an extra thief and one less mage doesn't hurt (thieving abilities are low at that point).

However, do whatever you want...it's your game. And don't be afraid to experiment.