The cool now, is that one can mess around thematic parties, like a dwarven party, paladins and clerics, or purely mages.
I find this much more enjoyable, than trying to find that most "kick-ass" party.

Go the all-thief and all-elven parties! Hmmm, what about a all-elven thief party...

Go for the all-Paladin-party
That was great fin in BG

Bane