I guess I'll post my team for my second "sticking to the original" run-through. Everyone is their promoted original class (if they have a promotion) unless stated:

Marth
Caeda (Falcoknight since it's more like a Pegasus Knight than a Dracoknight is)
Cain
Abel
Gordin
Draug
Ogma
Barst
Darros
Lena
Julian
Nabarl
Merric
Xane
Tiki
(insert super secret character here that I plan to suprise people with on Wi-Fi battles, and it's NOT Gotoh)

I used Hardin and Wolf in my very first run through of the DS Version (because they both look cool. Hardin's also got an awesome turban). I decided against it for my second "true to the original" run-through since using Hardin ended leaving Cain and Abel underlevelled while Wolf I didn't know was already promoted. I know he's supposedly overpowered along with Sedgar but I find it more satisfying to level up characters from scratch, rather than using them when they're upgraded. I also figured three bow users were enough (Gordin, Draug, and Barst).

For side quest run throughs I totally abuse the characters that weren't in the original and use the reclass system. I also use those characters that you get quite late and/or underlevelled that no one would probably use (Est, Macellan, etc.). Vyland as a Bishop was a very bad idea (he still had higher strength than magic). Radd as a sage was somewhat okay since he had 12 magic (though he also had 7 strength). Though Roger as a berserker I had no problems with. Est as a Bishop I can't remember for sure but I know she was a better Bishop than Vyland.

Moral of the Story: Don't switch back and forth between fighting and magic classes!!

It might be worth it making an exception for sword users who you want to give a high magic stat to, strengthening their power with the Levin Sword...

You sure like Swordmasters don't you ljkkjlcm9? Personally my favourites would be Heroes (who use swords and axes, which are two of my favourite weapons) and Generals (their insane defense makes them really good for stalling reinforcements, without taking much damage in most cases).