[GenXCub]

I've been playing on and off since Xmas, and I'm still having issues of party composition.. I haven't done anything past Trynton... it's sort of my benchmark... I want to find a really great party that's survivable past that... I'm just basically throwing out ideas on what I've done, I'd appreciate a critique, but keep in mind I want to do something that's fun, not just a cookie-cutter party. I'm fairly new to this type of r/t game... I had Wiz 6 and 7, but didn't really like 7. I've never played Baldur's Gate, I'm more of a Diablo 2 fan where there are no parties.

My first party was Samurai, Lord, Monk, Gadgeteer, Psionic, Mage. I thought it was good overall, but I felt left out by not having a bard.

So I created Samurai, Fighter, Ranger, Gadgeteer, Bard, Bishop. I love the Ranger, I now have him in all my parties, but I was pretty weak as far as firepower went.

Then I tried Samurai, Valkyrie, Ranger, Gadgeteer, Bard, Alchemist... only problem, no one to do Identify item until quite a ways into the game...

Here's the question that's really burning in my head. Do I really need a Samurai? I almost never get the lightning Attacks and the only way to get him to berserk is to give him the sword you find in the Monastery to auto-berserk... and it's no better than a No-Dachi.
As far as Monks and Ninja's, I've yet to see them do any appreciable damage in hand to hand fighting, if I want ranged criticals, I do fine with the Ranger. Lords seem like a waste to me at this point, even though they rocked in Bane of the Cosmic Forge.

Give me an example of your parties, and why you chose the make-up you did... also, I've been thinking, Instead of taking up 2 places with Gadgeteer and Bard, do a Half/Half, but which to start with... start with bard to get the poet's lute, but lose the omnigun, or start with Gadgeteer and not get the poet's lute, or should I scrap that idea.

Thanks
GenXCub