How many party members?

[Dace De'Briago]

Interesting table demonstrating once again that statistics can be used to represent anything, even if they make no sense

[Magness]

The table is comparing the XP differential using a full party of 6 as the base, hence the "0%" XP for a party of 6. The table says that a party of 5 should get 20% more XP than a party of 6, and so on for smaller and smaller parties.

[SixOfSpades]

The table's right-hand column is clearly labeled EXP gain, as in the difference between a party of 6 and a party of [however many in left-hand column].

But the statement about Quest EXP is spot-on as well. For example, you could run a party of 3 through Watcher's Keep and each would get comparatively the same EXP gain as a member of a group of 6, because of all the Quest EXP thrown at you in WK.

[Kestrel Daystar]

I always go for the party of 6. I like having 5 NPCs to chat with and use at my disposal. Also, I hate wasting good weapons and armour, and seeing as my PC cant equip every good piece of armour and every good weapon in the game, I like to have NPCs on hand to make use of them.

I only wish I could have more really, 7 would be perfect. Im always having to trade one NPC for another. My current party is

Kestrel Daystar - Elf - Bard
Jaheira - Elf - Druid/Fighter (romance)
Aerie - Elf - Mage/Cleric
Keto - Human - Bard
Haer'dalis - Tiefling - Bard
Jan - Thief/Illusionist

I had to have Jaheira in my party as I had never done her romance so wanted to try that. I also had to have Keto in my party as I just downloaded her mod and wanted to try her out (so far im impressed). Aerie I wanted really because of the thing with Haer'dalis, which also means I had to have Haer'dalis in (plus I like bards). So, that left Jan. I really wanted Mazzy or Keldorn but I needed Jan as I needed a thief so I had to make sacrifices. 7 NPCs and I could have had my perfect party, heh.


--Kestrel--

[Q'alooaith]

Somtime's I wish the party limit's where non exsistant and the only limiting factor was alignment..

Though with harder rules so you'd have more trouble keeping a NG and NE char in the same party..

[solace in fire]

The exp difference from 6 to 5 doesnt really warrant the extra person you're missing imho (see table below) and the extra fighter/spellcaster/healer/amusement is definetly worth it,...

Well, in that case, I guess I'll pick up a 6th member. Thanks for enlightening me on that subject---I forgot that quest experience was given equally to all party members, etc.

I'd like to pick up Haer'Dalis, but I'm not having that bastard take my Aerie. So I think I'll go with Mazzy whenever I get to the Umar Hills.

[Sillara of the Tamari]

I always play with a full six-member party, and I am always missing at least one character I would really love to have. Sigh. Ah well. Currently, I am running three games simulataneously because I cannot fit all the people I want! One party has:

Arlluvia (my elven mage/thief)
Yasraena (fighter, modded)
Jaheira
Aerie
Valyger (romanced via CRSoA)
Haer'Dalis (because he rules)

The next has:

Liriel (my elven cleric/mage)
Tsujatha (necromancer, modded)
Yasraena (fighter, modded; banters with Tsujatha)
Keldorn
Jaheira
Yoshimo

My last, just started to try out Fade:

Tal-Var (my male elven fighter)
Fade (modded, thief)
Jaheira
Nalia (to be swapped for Immy)
Aerie
Keldorn

I love full parties!

Sillara

[Stratos]

I generally play with four or five party members in BG2, less in some other Infinity Engine games. I just feel the last one or two characters is baggage serving no real role in the party and just sucking up xp. If you want to keep them alive you also need to equip them with decent gear meaning less gear for the other more important party members.