I have just started a new game of IWD with HoW and ToL installed. I beat the IWD a while back nut now I want o go through it and HoW/ToL with a new party. Anyway...this is the party I've rolled up and started with:

1.Human Paladin
2.Dwarf Fighter/Cleric
3.Half-Elf Fighter/Druid
4.Elf Fighter/Thief
5.Human Bard
6.Human Necromancer

any comments on this party? My only real concern is the slow lvlng speed of the three multi classes. Can anyone share their insights into this and maybe tell me what level I can expect to reach by the end of IWD?

Greetings!
Good make-up; but, I prefer to have a ranger and another spellcaster. The druid or cleric can usually handle the healing, but offensive spells become really necessary. Even an illusionist/thief combo can work well. Of course, I haven't finished yet, so you may take my advice or tell me to go pound sand! <g>
My two parties currently stand thus:
hf paladin hm paladin
1/2em ranger 1/2em ranger
dm fighter 1/2ef fighter/thief
hf cleric 1/2ef bard
1/2e fighter/mage 1/em fighter/druid
gm illusionist/thief ef fighter/mage

OOOPS!!!
That didn't work out right! Sorry! My second, lower party is the one on the right. My primary is left & 7th/8th lvl. The multi's ARE slower to lvl up, but it will be worth it. Just protect the spellcasters & copy ALL the scrolls; by the time you find the magical protections (i.e. bracers), you'll be ready to fling some good offensive magic. I'm still not convinced of the bard's usefulness, hence the 2nd party...
Have a great weekend!

Finn

The party's a good one, although i'd leave your multi-class guys towards the end to get them to a reasonable level ex wise. You also asked what level your characters will be at the end of IWD. I completed the first few levels with two characters on IWD for exp, and they are around level 17 at the start of HoW, my other characters are level 12ish.

Hope this helps

two details - I would have a 'pure' cleric if you have HoW and TotL

and start your necromancer as a figther and dual-class him - either at lvl 3 or 7. This will mean that your necromancer can use a longbow instead of a sling.

good makeup for the party
PALADIN- can't go wrong, he's a front line tank
FIGHTER/CLERIC- Another front line tank to be FEARED
FIGHTER DRUID Druid- a good choice, but perhaps you could make him a fighter who duals into a druid? max out a weapon slot in slings or scimitars then go for druidic levels. This way, the druid levels faster for more heals and animal summons.
FIGHTER THIEF- these can be fun to play. bows and daggers!
BARD- very fun to play. The bard will serve to learn the spells your necromancer cannot. make sure to read the spell descriptions carefully and give your bard the ones that get better with levels as the bard will level the fastest. (ie, chromatic orb, flame arrow,etc)
NECROMANCER- personally, i never go for the straight classed mage; they die too quickly and often find themselves useless against magic resistant enemies. Though Dual classing from a fighter to a mage is an excellent choice, you will not be able to choose a specialist class at that point.
personally, when it comes to magic i don't mess around. Cleric/mages are where it's at.

Hi all and thanks for the input so far. I just thought that I'd add how my party has worked out so far. I am at the end of the Vale of Shadows and so far the party is doing well. In fact, I am finding the Vale easier than I did the first time through the game. I just want to ask for some comments on one aspect of my party though. I have read many posts stressing the importance of arcane spellcasters to a good party which is why I took a Bard and a Necromancer, however I am finding that my Bard and Necro are the least used members of the party so far, I have never used a Bard before are the higher-level songs worth the wait? As for the Necro I can clearly remember from my last time through how useful his higher-end spells will be:). Does anyone think that a bard alone would be sufficient in a party or do I really need another "pure" arcane caster as well? As a final somewhat related question, will Elven Chain let a bard cast spells while it is worn and is it a given that I will find it during the game or is it's discovery random and up to chance?

for a really fun game (and buff char) try createing a party using only 1 char

it makes the game a lot more enjoyable

With tons of players out there playing a myriad of party combinations I am sure someone could tell you that a Bard alone will suffice as the lone magic spell caster. HOWEVER, take a look at the spell progression for a Bard. To me you need another magic caster that can reach high level spells. I've played IWD with HoW and Trials of the Luremaster and believe me you will need some heavey duty spell casting. Burial Island can be a nightmare and TotL is just plain insane at times. So go with anothe mage! For what it is worth here was my party that got me through:

1. Pure dwarf fighter. This guy rocked!

2. Pure half-elven fighter. This one, too, was a tank.

3. Pure human cleric. Boy was I glad I had him. I totally agree
with others who expressed the need for a pure cleric

4. Multiclassed hafling fighter/thief. His ability to use a bow was
extremely beneficial and he made his thieving percentages with no
problem.

5. Multiclassed gnome cleric/illusionist. I can't even begin to tell
you how many times he saved my party.

6. Multiclassed elven fighter/mage. Used a bow, had great hit points
and worked nicely with my gnome.

* So if you count it up I had 4 fighters, 2 clerics, 2 mages, and 1
thief. It worked beautifully. Good luck. And, again, go with
another spell caster and seriously consider a powerful cleric.
You'll need both.

Hey NorthRaven you don't need a bard,and those multi-classers are really going to screw you up (my opiniom though)