A pure-class Fighter or Berserker is cool too. A bit dull, but with the right stats you can end up MUCH better than Minsc or Anomen. *remembers an incident with a lich that died after three hits*. Play a half-orc for an absolute tank :D or a halfling (with the girdle of giant strength later on, the -1 strength modifier doesn't matter). Half-elf is good too (I NEVER play plain human, except if I want to dual-class)

I'd say to start with use an elven F/T. This eliminates having to use any of the subpar thief types out there. Also becomes a pretty good killing machine later on, with the only draw back is taking off your Full Plate and putting on some studded leather when you find a trap or locked door.

For magic first time through, just take a normal run of the mill mage and try to learn every spell you can get your hands on. Find which spells you like, then next time me a sorcerer. The best mu's out there.

hmmm im always human
And i never even dualed my guy

I agree with Nifft the Nimble. An elven fighter/mage is a good choice, although you will not have a lot of hit points. That's the worst part, since whenever YOUR character dies, you have to reload the game. With Imoen in your group, you will have 2 mages. When you are at the copper coronet, make SURE you pick up Anomen. He is one of the best all-around characters. If you choose the fighter/mage, always choose the second triangle group configuration in the lower right-hand part of the screen. The first will put your weak character at the front of the group (you don't want that). The second triangle will put you in the middle and back (where a mage should be), and Minsc will be in front.

I'd say Fighter/Mages r probably one of the most powerful types u can get... I love 2 put my Elven F/M up the front, with a spell seqeuncer of defensive spells (definately with stoneskin in it.. or at later levels spell trigger and prot. from Magical Weapons) Then cast stoneskin, then tensers Transformation, then once ur stoneskin wears out use the seqeuncer and u have a new stoneskin :D ... But tensers Transformation on a Fighter Mage is an absoloutely Killer tactic... cause if u got somethin like 60 HP u get 120!! Downside is Cant cast more spells... thus the seqeuncer.. ;) .. great Fun