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Ask this question of ten experienced RPGers, and you'll get ten different answers. Your party will largely depend on what NPCs you come in contact with over the course of the game. But there are some guidelines that you'd be wise to follow to stay alive. First off, balance is key. A party of six mages isn't going to live long enough to advance very far nor will a party of six thieves or even six fighters. It just doesn't work. If your six burly fighters come across a powerful wizard who successfully casts hold person on them, regardless of their amazing dexterity or superhuman strength, they'll just stand at attention as they're bombarded to death by spells or by the wizard's minions. A good rule of thumb is to bring two to three fighters and two to three magic users as well. A cleric or druid is a good idea to have hiding in the back of your party, lending aid or healing spells whenever necessary. Also, a rogue is a great asset. Having a thief to scout ahead unseen, disarming traps all the way, is invaluable. Or, bring a bard along to regale the people you meet with his tales. Bards are (in my humble opinion) a bigger help than thieves. In addition to conversing well, they can save you countless gold pieces and spellcastings because they can identify 80 to 90 percent of the unidentified items you encounter. Their bard song skill is a good help, as is their ability to cast mage spells. Continuing our theme of balance, you should have several different weapon proficiencies as you look through your party. Don't make everyone proficient at great swords and missile weapons. That flail of the ages +3 might be really cool, but it won't help you at all if no one in your party can use it without killing himself. Be sure to include at least one member with infravision (that is, don't have a party of just humans); it comes in very handy. Make sure that everyone will get along; don't have a lawful good paladin with a chaotic evil necromancer, or they'll do more than just have words once you've been adventuring awhile. The bottom line is that there are no hard rules to creating your party. Create the party that you want to play and go with it. You don't even need to cart a party of six characters around (and you can't until you're well into the game); if you want, you can take three or four and advance to higher levels than you otherwise would have, since you're dividing the experience gained amongst fewer people. It's up to you. Just remember not to focus all your attention to one area: Bring a diverse group with you.
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