I think the game was designed not for you to keep your party from start to finish due to the obvious placement of unique NPC's throughout the games' chapters. This allows for a more "fun factor" as opposed to a seek-and-destroy gaming experience.
That being said...I still like to keep my party from start to finish anyhow ; )
If you can do away with pickpocket and a power backstabber, then go with this party:
Ajantis - charisma, tank (use Tome of CHA & STR on him)
Minsc - tank (I use Dudleyfix* which beefs his DEX & CON to BG2 levels)
Branwen - healer, summoner (use 2 of 3 Tomes of WIS on her)
Kivan - archer, scout (use Tome of CON & DEX on him)
PC - DC Fighter/Illusionist (use Tome of INT & WIS on him/her)
Imoen - by level 10: locks 100, traps 100, stealth 65 (add items for 115)
*Be warned that the Dudleyfix nerfs Ulgoth's Beard (no map access) - you'll have to teleport yourself there with the cheat console!
I set the xp cap to 501,000 (note Imoen stats above are for the 161,000 cap) so my main PC can reach 8/11, but it will be a lot of traversing the countryside to reach it...
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