If you switch to get new spells, you'll have to wait to get enough levels in the new class to cast that class' exclusive spells. (eg eithg more levels for Soul Shield) On the other hand, the skill you've got in the Realms will carry over, so you should have plenty green.

Thanks Scatter.

Yes, that was my concern. 18 levels as an Alchemist and then having to wait x number of levels as a Priest to get Soul Shield (7-9 Priest levels is it?) and the horrendous experience needed to get there especially as I've finished the game on levels 21-24 in the past.

Perhaps change to the Faerie Ninja as planned after she gets the Portal spell, keep an Alchemist as an Alchemist for the rest of the game, and class change to Priest and Mage when they get their Portal spells.

I'm only suggesting this for the missing buffs. Am I worrying unduly? It's just that I have nightmares about the Psi Sharks et al and no Soul Shiled protection....

Actually, just realised I may have highjacked this thread and should have started a separate thread. Sorry everyone.

Well, not too much of a hijack--still taling about small parties...I've finished a lot of games without Soul Shield, some even without any magic protection other than objects. It's a lot easier with at least Magic Screen, and i'd recommend making a Priest right away for that, not waiting for Portal. If i understand correctly, Schools are cumulative for shared spells, so your Portal should come as soon as you have 11 levels as any caster.

Thanks for all the tips so far.

@Dedzy: Your argument of waste and overlap sounded most convincing. Everyone in the party should really be needed, so now i will try a party of 4.
I don't want to use this stealth-training thing but rather let difficulty stay at normal, should have the same or similar effect. Maybe a bit of training for the bishop. And thats my party so far:

dwarven lord - will dual wield 2 maces
mook fighter - with one big sword
faerie bishop - for lots of magic
??? - someone with traps and locks

I really want someone with the traps-locks-skill, any suggestions? He could stand at the front with dwarf and mook, or at the center with the bishop, too. There are so many possibilities... (a gadgeteer, adding some good ranged combat abilities [img]graemlins/2gunfire.gif[/img] ? maybe not a ninja, i already have 1 faerie [img]graemlins/fairy.gif[/img] , and a ninja without this CC?)

Oh, and i don't like this new way of class changing (in wiz7 it was so much better...), so i will stick with what i have at the beginning.

No problem :)

[ 05-14-2004, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: killerTeddy ]

Killer Ted, if you haven't tried a thief you are in for a pleasant surprise. If you try one for the 4th position, you will find they have the best combat skills next to a fighter. Their backstab multiplies the damage (2x then 3x then...). They have stealth and best lock skills. I use them like a fighter up front. Although their armor is less they make up for it easily. If you want magic, too, try a ninja. They take longer to build but lots of kills later. BTW - If you have a bishop, you will have to force the ninja to use magic in battle to be any good at it. It's too tempting to have the bishop do all offensive magic in combat for a small party similar to yours. Hobbits and humans make excellent thieves.

Edit: fixed a hoobit

[ 05-14-2004, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: Ziggurat ]

Thanks Ziggurat,

but i already had a rogue (with a light sword [img]graemlins/knightsmile.gif[/img] ) but i just decided to take a gnome gadgeteer - i never had his best gadgets...

Go for it! I know, so 70s

OK,let's say you want a hard but doable small party. I recommend the 4 elements first, such as lord or valk, monk, samurai and ninja (or ranger). You will find this is very hard but rewarding. Or drop the monk, add a thief, or drop the thief and add a bard, and drop the samurai and add a gadgeteer or whatever. You can make them work. The idea is they will have to work harder but will go up faster if you can survive. I love all permutations. Guess I'm weird. C'est la guerre!