Funky “Who should I add to this party” question:

Ok, here’s my proposed party (I’m actually still in BGI, so this will take some time)

Protagonist Cleric/Ranger MC
Minsc
Jaheira
Imoen
Jan

The first 4 NPCs are with me now, solving side quests in the city of Baldur’s Gate. They have stuck by me through thick and thin, and there’s no way I’m dumping them in SoA or ToB.

And Jan, well I just think he’s really funny. He’s in.

Ok, so the 6th member of my party is the problem here. I can’t figure out who to use! I think my party is pretty balanced so far, but I also think I could use one more mage, or possibly someone who is good at taking care of mages.

Here are my options:

1)Keldorn. His abilities speak for themselves, and wielding the great Carsomyr is nothing to sneeze at.
2)Mazzy. This machine gun is a killer with Tansheron’s or Gesen’s bow. Easily disrupts mages, and even makes a great tank in a pinch (str bonus and halberds baby!).
3)Nalia. Best good aligned mage NPC in the game (sorry, no Edwin in this party). I kind of find her annoying though, and she is a weak clone of my little sis.
4)Valygar. Interesting choice, as backstabbing takes care of mages pretty quickly and effectively. Doubles as a pretty good tank, and is an all around good character. Boring soundest though.
5)Aerie. Stick the Robe of Vecna on this one and watch the spells fly! I do find it kind of redundant to have two clerics in my party, though, especially when there’s a druid too.
6)Haer’Dalis. Another interesting choice. Blades are cool, HD is cool. Makes a good backup mage and backup tank.
7)Nobody. A party of a C/R, Jaheira, Minsc, Imoen and Jan is powerful and balanced enough.
8)Sarevok. This might be the most interesting (read: wacky) choice I can think of. That’s because I’d dual class this guy into a Mage when I recruit him. My plan (if I go with this guy) would be to go through SoA with only 5 characters (listed above), and randomly add the other NPCs for their own personal sidequests. I would save all the scrolls I didn’t need (I use that “no bottoms” patch), and have Sarevok scribe every one of them, with only him, me, and Jaheira in the party (J stays for romance and XP reasons). I know it would still take a long time to get Sarevok’s mage level to pass his fighter level, but this is the quickest way I can think to shorten it.
9) (unlikely) I could add Kelsey into my game. He’s very powerful, though.
10)Use any of the NPCs mentioned above in SoA, sub in Sarevok in ToB (please mention NPC for SoA below).

Any opinions on my above choices, and/or other options are all greatly appreciated. TIA.

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 15 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Who should round out my party (spoilers within) poll (15 votes.)

Who should round out my party (spoilers within) poll (Choose 1)
* Keldorn - 20% (3)
* Mazzy - 13% (2)
* Nalia - 0% (0)
* Valygar - 13% (2)
* Aerie - 0% (0)
* Haer'Dalis - 13% (2)
* Nobody at all! - 7% (1)
* Sarevok - 13% (2)
* Kelsey - 7% (1)
* one of the above through SoA, ditch him/her for Sarevok - 13% (2)

I would say Kelsey, but the my real recommendation would be Solaufein. He's just a winner in any party.

I'd say Valygar. Give him celestial fury, and either have him use that with a shield, or dual wield him later with Hindo's doom. Either way, he's kick ass.

Haer'Dalis gets my vote. As you said, you've pretty much got all bases covered with that party (only one pure tank, but Jaheira and the R/C both have Iron Skins), and as such i think you'd benefit from someone who can support in just about every area. Haer'Dalis is quite cool in a flouncy sort of way, and has lots of decent dialogue as well as wide ranging support skills.

Keldorn. He'll help you out early on by being a strong tank while Jaheira and your PC are still kinda weak fighters. His dispel magic and true seeing are wonderful. Wielding the Carsomyr is an opportunity you can't turn down.
You can't go wrong with Keldorn. Everyone else in your party has pretty good dexterity, so give the gauntlets of dexterity to Keldorn and you're set!

You have 3 melee and 2 mage charecters, so I'd say you dont need any more of those types.
And Imoen can hanble shortbows pretty well herself.
Option 7.

If you can putup with all the extra work needed for backstabbing, Valygar can come in handy.
Keldron, only if Minsc is not using two handed swords. But in that case I'd pick Sarevok.