whats a good party composition ? (my starting class is bard already)

[Revelation]

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[0k]

Someone with heals is always good, and a front line person, both for dedicated melee and to be able to take hits, then you've got spells somewhat taken care of as a bard, but you could have another caster, or do two melee, etc.

With story companions you've only got a handful of options, so it doesn't hurt to find which ones you like.

[Nyaria]

If your playing a bard I' reccomend:

Cleric - ShadowHeart (I'd respecc her out of shadow, shadow is an awful domain and she doesn't have the attributes to take advantage of it)
Teifling Lady - Barbarian - High HP, high damage, resistance
Githyanki Lady - Fighter - High Hp, High Damage, Action Surge shennaiigans

To be honest, Pure casters are virtually worthless in a game capped at level 12, especially with such low attributes. Gale is nice, but weak because of the choices the dev's decided upon.

Shadowheart just has the advantage of being the only healer, if you want domain suggestions I'd recommend life or light, or you can respecc her into being more strength focused, and make her a war domain priest, and have 3 strong frontliners that can dish out a fair amount of damage and be a pretty good wall of defense for your bard whom likely will be focusing on supporting them.

That's my two cents. Though. Others might have their own opinion.

[WeenerTuck813]

At least 1 beefy character (Moon Druid, Paladin, Barb, Fighter, Ranger)

At least 1 character that can heal if needed (Cleric, Bard, Paladin, Druid)

At least 1 dex based class (Rogue, Bard, Ranger, Monk)

At least 1 Full Caster (Druid, Cleric, Bard, Wizard, Warlock, Sorcerer)

At least 1 Ranged Class (Caster DPS, Archer (Fighter, Ranger, Rogue))

Meet those basic requirements and you’re group is well balanced.

[Snobby Hobo]

There are a lot of options. This is based on a DnD version that has seen thousands of iterations as is, so don't expect anything to be completely unviable.

Conventionally you'd want a clear front-line and some means of buffing them with at least 1 real ranged option.

[Bony]

Depends on your bard build. Do you go stealth and lockpick or healing or whatever. A bard can fill out many roles. When you are into lockpicking and stuff you dont need astarion for example, maybe sneak with help from shadoheart. YOu can also be a melee bard with bladeskin (?) or something like this. My bard is playing with Gale (maaagic), Lae'zel (damage) and Shadowheart (support/tank).
I think the best thing to go as a bard is a three man party composition which doesnt need you, but you are there to support in whatever is needed at the moment.

[Wanderer]

Keep in mind, if you like a character but his class doesnt fit your composition, you can just change it in your party camp

[Tolfdir]

As first playthrough, blind, middle difficulty, I am using provided Cleric, Fighter, and Rogue NPCs and I rolled a hot female thiefling Necromancer.

[igor140]

I would say you'll also need a lockpicker. Your bard can do that just fine, so long as you pick up the skill for it.

Shadowheart is a good healer, but I'm pretty sure they gave her Trickery domain, because in seven years, NO ONE has ever willingly chosen it; it's just plain awful. So respec her if you plan to use her. Also your bard can work perfectly fine as your main healer.

Here's my recommendation:
Bard (MC): For melee (Valor/ Swords), you need DEX > CHA. For caster (Lore), you need CHA > DEX. Either way, this can be your primary healer and lock-picker.
Fighter (Lae'zel): Respec her for Eldritch Knight, focusing on STR and INT. Pick up a few of the INT based skills (Arcana, History, Investigation), because no one else will have the base stat for it.
Warlock (Wyll): HIGHLY underrated class. One of the better damage dealers, both from the back and the front of the party. Also, their one limitation-- spell slots-- is largely mitigated by having a bard in the party
Monk (Merc, or respec someone you like): Another extremely underrated class. More damage and AC than a Fighter, similar utility to a Rogue, boosts WIS based skills.