What do you found fun when playing a large group like 5-6 characters, to get some challenge you need to down you party to 3 I'd say

What do you think about it?

My own playing stile is with 2 or 3 chars who all have their own task and make a smooth task force. I think 6 persons are irritating to navigate and control. But that is just me.

Maybe you'll need all 6 spots occupied if you play on insane difficulty. But if you played the game 2 or 3 times before, yes, then you don't have a hard time playing because you know exactly what you'll face and get, and you'll know which tactic to use. You can play it on insane with just 1 or 2 spots filled out. Try that when you're new to a game.

Also depends on which NPC's you take with you. Some are more usefull or multitalented than the rest.

I'm curious... what is the make up of your suggested three person parties? Which classes and races do you represent?

- Evil party:
Fighter/Thief
Viconia
Edwin

- Good party:
Priest of Lathander
Keldorn
Nalia

I'm running a three person party through BG2 right now to maximize my experience. My party:

Me - a half-elven fighter/thief.
Jahiera - for healing and backup fighting (and those summon elemental spells... nice).
Nalia - it's all about the spells.

I imported my main PC from BG1 so he has a 19 strength - he dual-weapons with the +3 frostbrand axe and the shortsword that casts Haste and gives you Free Action. He scouts and backstabs like no one's business. I haven't been developing my Detect illusion skill with him though, so I'm kinda nervous about that.

Jaheira's got the Girdle that gives her a 19 strength, so she hits just as hard as my main character, slthough not as fast. I think her AC is down to -9 or something right now, so she's my mop-up tank girl as well as my healing. She's got the magic club that you get when you escape Spellhold.

Nalia is all about spells, although she does have the shortbow that you nab off of the Beastmaster for a truly sweet RoF. She softens up the opposition (that my main character has already scouted so we know where they are) with area-effect spells and then keeps enemy mages pinned down and unable to cast with bow fire and magic missiles.

We also use Wizard Eyes and summoned Fire Elementals for scouting and to take out those damn Gauths that seem to eat my party alive.

This group seems to work out fairly well for me, although Nalia is a whiny lil' b*tch. *laugh* Then again, this is my first time through the game and I just got into the Underdark, and I think I'm in a bit over my head. Maybe I'll pick up Keldorn... everyone seems to think he rocks.

My friend and I play on two linked computer once in a while.
We get along just Honky dory with a F/M/T and a dwarf-barbarian.
Thats a weird combo but it works.

My point is. Just try! Have a lotta fun. If it doesn't work. too bad. It was probably fun anyway.
If You feel 3 persons are offering the best gamebalance. Then who are we to disagree?

Even the strangest of combinations might surprise and enjoy.

You guys are talking about playing with 3 guys, well what level of difficulty do you use?
On insane unless you have at least 3 tanks or alot of summons, (even those only take 1-2 hits) its hard as hell with out 6.

Hey IronEagle, it is not only possible, but not too hard, even if you play solo. Check out my earlier post:
http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/002198.html

For those of the 3 person players:

Main character: a monk(a ****in' good butt kickin' tank) :D

Imoen: can cast more spells than Nalia does

Anomen: for his spells, and his fighting abilities

Ahhhhhh
That Combination above is quite challenging as Imoen is taken to spellhold, forcing one to play with 2 characters in the first chapters.

I finished with a duo of dwarven fighter priests. Very potent.