I didn't mind Vaan and Penelo too much. I would prefer them in party to Larsa, if only because I liked the political dimension to the game, and the sense that there were things going on outside of the main party made it more interesting and the plot a bit deeper. That's not to suggest that I didn't like Larsa, just that I think his role and his character was good in part because he wasn't permanently playable.

Vossler was pretty awesome though, so would happily have him permanently!