There is some good advice here, although it is all over the board. Sultan's right mostly, but you can play almost any race if you compensate. Look at the stats and decide. A funny thing is, the hobbit is as powerful as a human for this game in many ways. Possibly the influence of LotR. I don't recommend hobbit fighters or bishops tho. But you can do it and succeed. This game is flexible, but you have to pay attention to details. It works so slow (stat-wise), you have to plan ahead, IMO.

Human Bishop. Humans get the most Attribute points at the start, and they have some Stamina and Strength. In my parties of 3 i've been playing lately, everyone is in the center of the formation, and Bishops learn to fight as well as cast. I've found that Powercast doesn't make as much of a difference as dualling Mauler/DE well does. What i'm judging that by is complex, and starts with comparing how many fewer kills i get from Death Cloud or Quicksand to how many more kills i get with weapons. (or how many HP's i can harvest with Tsunamis and Earthquakes compared to physical means--especially in the latter third of the game, when most opponent groups are smaller and the damage doesn't multiply up as high). And i've never noticed enough of a difference in SP regeneration with the added Int or Piety, because there's enough Mana Stones available early, and then wearable regen items later. For smaller parties, i've been changing the Bishops permanently after they get Portal, usually to Ranger (continue developing Alchemy for Quicksand, fight with Mauler and DE, wear Infy Helm)
Elves are weak enough that you really notice it in a smaller group; Faeries are ridiculous.
Mana Stone Spoilers:
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Upper Monastery, chest with Lightning Rod. A bit of a trek to reload, and it's there only about 20%...
He-Li's chest, in the room with the Viola, very short and mob-free walk from the entrance to Arnika, go there first to see...gotta be around 40%.
If you're picking pockets, He-Li has one on her person, too.
LMB, the first 'closet' past the storage area on your way to the entrance to UMB. Watch out for the Thanatopede...
And of course, infinite supply (if you sleep for inventory) Crock sells them.

hey! i resemble that remark! [img]graemlins/doh.gif[/img]

zig's right though - for all my babbling, you can play any race as any class as long as you approach it strategically. what is that particular race/class combination's strengths and weaknesses? what role will they fit with the rest of the group?

Just been able to log on again, and just have to say thanks for all the suggestions.

I want to stick to a 4 person party, and I think I’ve got three, dracon fighter, hobbit Rogue and human Bishop, but I’ve been thinking about the 4th spot. I’ve come up 3 idea, what do you think?

 Ninja Faerie. I want to try one of these as I’ve never used a ninja before, and I’d like to use the CoC. I also think it’s a good plan to have cover in spells and 2 portals. But I have no idea how develop this character, so can I have some suggestions please.
 Bard/Ranger mook. If I start with a bard then at each level up swap between bard and ranger, do I get to keep the camping bonus and searching, or do I get those only when I level up in that class?
 Another tank, Lord or Valk. Also get help in healing etc.

Leaning towards the Faerie at the mo. But who knows…

Target just some ideas for all three suggestions.

Faerie ninja: with the rogue and the ninja covering stealth the fighter and the bishop will be getting much too attention IMO, so I wouldn't recommend it, but it might be worth a try, placement might be important though. I would go with the bishop at the back and the rest at the front always trying to b with your back to a wall.

Mook bard/ranger: you would only get one of the special ability at a time so I think it would be better to go as a pureclass bard, maybe going out of your way early to get dulcimer of mending, since in a party which is smaller more damage is dealt to individual party members.

Another tank: three tanks and a bishop is actually quite an easy party. I am actually running one like this (with rogue, bard and fighter) and with the bishops buffs and mass destruction and the close range capabilities of the tanks it is a pretty powerful party.

Hope that helped

i agree with all dplax's suggestions. although, i wouldnt worry too much about the stealth problems with the rogue/ninja combo. i had a four person party with rogue/ninja paired with a priest and mage. i thought the others would take a real beating due to stealth, but with all the buffs running i hardly noticed.