errmmm why would you want to melee with a healer, isnt the true potential for the ranger/cleric, to be a spread out but thin priest? (loose the most powerful priest spells because of lvl limit, gain the druid line of spells due to ranger hybrid) i only used them in iwd, but i used them as backup healers back up artilerry... as far as a "solo" solo dude goes, i found the bard jester to be able to take on anything when he had a healer with him. just sing a song and watch the enemy kill itself... hrmm also the ranger/cleric really aint that good at melee, unless ye is some kind of uber master of the priest... hehehe

i guess if ye got a ranger to lvl 13 then dueled over to cleric (so ye could use bows) and probably start your ranger with one of them kits... i like the one that can summon familiars I LOVE FAMILIARS!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH dueled to a priest might be a bit more effective and powerful in the melee then a multi cleric/ran...

regarding the pali cavilier being best char in the game, i dunno about that, he isnt really a power group kind dude. i think a class that can support himself, and enhance the group at once would be the best char in game. such as a totemic druid due to their summoning abilities, healing abilities, and a couple of nifty spells... i like summon insects because it works like a DoT (as eq players would say) doing damage over time constantly interupting spells, so i like to keep atleast 2 of them up, one for the main nuker enemy, one for the main healer enemy.

also the sorceror is a very great power class in the game, due to its abilities to cast any spell it has without meming it or another powerful spll, like at the lvl 6+ range where it makes a difference.

howbout the swashbuckler guys? they gain a lot of power with swords, and have some seriously potential abilities... ive never been one though.

also there are other powerful melee dudes besides the berserker and barbariain and kensai that can hit for a lot.

Priests need not be non-combatants, and the Cleric/Ranger is an extremely potent combination (and one of the best kits for soloing). C/R also get 2* for free in their Two Weapon Style, and they can specialise in their weapons.

Armour of Faith, Draw Upon Holy Might, Ironskins, Chaotic Commands, Righteous Magic, etc... were all geared to boosting the Cleric into a good Fighter, but the C/R is already a good Fighter, so these spells now transform him/her into a godly Fighter.

ya but although a c/r is really powrerful, its like a partial warrior a partial druid and a partial cleric, sure it can tank, but he would prolly need to back to cast a spell, and having enough offensive spells to be useful would mean ignoring the healing spells... am i the only one who thinks jesters can solo well?

hehehe i once tried soloing wit a jester... didnt melee, casted barely any spells, except a couple of holds here and there, a few nukes too.. but mostly watch them all kill eachother... the cloud spells definatly made this more viable, the only problem was when i went up aginst a group of archer like dudes... but having shield spell, skin. yadayadayada with a couple of nukes quickly fixed that. also,

what do you guys think about the swashbuckler... i wana know! so ermm tell me!

Actually the C/R is more like 2/3 Fighter, and 1/3 Priest. The Druidic spells are the icing on the cake. This is the stigma that faces all Clerics as most people tend to associate them with healing only. With reasonable WIS, you will have more than enough spell slots for both offensive and defensive spells. You must remember that they have a maximum base of 9 spell slots per spell level, not including WIS bonuses and equipment.
The Jester was the first Bard kit to solo the game to the best of my knowledge. The basic tactic is similar to yours, using the Jester's song while remaining invisible.
It is a good kit.

I agree.
Spells have soooo many uses, and many spells can enhance combat abilities dramatically.
Dundee already mentioned the Divine side, the Ranger/Cleric.
The Arcane equivalent is the Fighter/Mage.
Stoneskins, Blur, Mirror Image, Pro-Magic-Weapons, Mislead, Spell Immunity, Improved Haste will all boost his abilities, making him a juggernaut of destruction.

This two are, IMHO, the best tanks in the game.

I think that melee is silly, ya should cast spells and kill em MWUHAHAHHAHA