PARTY OF SIX
I've always maintained that a party needs:
2 bookend tackles (a football term) These are 300 pound gorillas whose job it is to keep the QB (magic-user) from getting killed. One should be a dwarf and one should be a fighter (or paladin or ranger). Name of Conan is optional
1 tight end (cleric)
1 running back/wide receiver (thief)
These position titles reflect the potential for some blocking (ie fighting monsters in the front row) as well as the use of some specialized skills.
2 QBs these should be magic users.
Generally quarterbacks don't block and stay in the back and use special skills.
Not a perfect analogy but I like the front row/back row analogy that it brings to mind in terms of a football formation and a dungeon-crawling formation.
Alternate combination:
2 Tackles (fighters)
2 Tight ends (clerics)
1 Running back/wide receiver (thief)
1 QB (wizard)
Sub-classes are ok for a particular role
Cooperation is important.
PARTY OF FOUR
For a party of 4 (again talking about Dungeons and Dragons (BECMI, BX, 1e, 2e)
I think the ideal party has
1 of each of the 4 main types. Although the cleric and the thief will need to be ready to handle "front row" duties if necessary.
