"Best" non-core 4 character party?

[BASHMAN]

Favored Soul

Warblade

Warlock

Ninja

 

[DarkMask]

What is a Dragon Shaman?

 

[EyeontheMountain]

What is a Dragon Shaman?

PHB II

 

[Sidekick]

Hmmmmm generic?

Warrior: Warblade
Arcane: Artificer or Duskblade
Divine: Archivist
Skill-monkey: Scout.

If it’s an Eberron Campaign (which I of course love)
Warrior: Warblade (Deneith blademaster)
Arcane: Valenar Duskblade
Divine: D’marked Jorasco halfling Arfificer
Skill Monkey: Shifter Scout.

 

[Notmousse]

I'm going to get a lot of grief for this one, but I've seen it in action as six characters in an RPGA game:

Bard*6

With 6 whole half hineys (honestly I think they're quarter arsed, but that's just me) you're bound to function at least as well as three whole hineys!

 

[Nyaricus]

bah humbug. OP didn't say no variants - but that's nitpicking. Instead of the CC I guess I'd go with Archivist. Best single class divine caster outside core.

Nice choice for a backup! The archivist rocks!

cheers,
--N

 

[Moonstone Spider]

Hmm, am I the only one who reads the optimization boards for a laugh?

Divine Caster: Pun-Pun
Fighter: Hulking Hurler
Arcanist: Infinite Regression Psion
Social Fu: Diplomaster

I'll grant you, this group has no trapfinder. However I don't think that will bother them much.
Typical Dialogue from this group:

"Yes, after we realized that only Lolth, Tiamat, St. Cuthbert, and Ao were left we captured the remaining gods alive and began a captive breeding program so there'd be something able to challenge us enough to give us EXP next week."

 

[RigaMortus2]

Hmm, am I the only one who reads the optimization boards for a laugh?

Divine Caster: Pun-Pun
Fighter: Hulking Hurler
Arcanist: Infinite Regression Psion
Social Fu: Diplomaster

I'll grant you, this group has no trapfinder. However I don't think that will bother them much.
Typical Dialogue from this group:

"Yes, after we realized that only Lolth, Tiamat, St. Cuthbert, and Ao were left we captured the remaining gods alive and began a captive breeding program so there'd be something able to challenge us enough to give us EXP next week."

Are you suggesting Pun Pun can't find and disarm traps?!?!

 

[Moonstone Spider]

Are you suggesting Pun Pun can't find and disarm traps?!?!

Well technically none of his five levels have trapfinding as a class ability. . . but I don't imagine they'll spend a lot of time in dungeons hunting traps with that effective power-level. I Pity the GM that hands them CR-appropriate enemies.

 

[javcs]

That's when the DM pulls out the pre-dawn of time overdeity with infinite HD (in all classes and in outsider racial) and infinite divine ranks.