I haven't played IWD and HoW in forever. So long that I've forgotten everything (as it should be ) I found ToTL so I'm going to try that too. Anywhos, this is the party that I'm planning:

Human Paladin, Long swords and Maces
BLANK
Human Fighter(3)/Druid, Scimitars** and Daggers***
Dwarven or Halfling Cleric, Mace and Sling
Human Thief(7)/Mage Short sword, Bows->Sling
Half-Elven Bard Xbow, 2H swords, Halberds, other 2H weapons

1) I'm dualing the thief because it's usefulness caps out at level 7 obviously. Doing it this way lets me play with all the other classes. Once my mage catches up, it won't be a problem, but what do I do in the meantime? I know the mage will level (relatively) fast, but still, I'm sure I'll get some traps and locked chests along the way and I have no idea of how to handle them.

2) Will my druid be able to use heavier armor and shields once she gets to level 4 and passes her fighter class? Otherwise, I might have to multi-class her, but I'd rather not do that as she'll level slower than I'd like. Also, I know I should put lots of points into daggers. What should I specialize in for a secondary weapon? Should it be a Melee weapon or some missle weapon?

3) What should I do with my Blank spot. I was thinking an elven ranger (for the extra attack), but I'm really not sure. I bet a dwarven fighter could tank well, but really any fighter class would probably do. What would round out this party the best.

4) Overall, how does this party rate. Not with effectiveness (I could have taken a party of bards), but with well rounded-ness (which is my aim for this party). Are my weapon specializations distributed well? How about racial distribution? Any other general comments?

5) Lastly, what does phasing do? I remember there being weapons of phasing and I have no idea what that does to a target. Random teleports? What is it?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Looks like a good party to me. A fighter specializing in great swords would be a good choice for your *blank*. The sword of phasing....I remember it kills trolls :D

I'd go with another straight Dwarven fighter. Perhaps then you could make a Gnome Cleric/Illusionist which was one of the best all around support characters I ever managed. However, I do agree with your idea of a straight Cleric, especially for Burial island (HoW) and TotL. You asked about missle weapons and your Druid. A personal rule I never break when I play is that ALL of my characters MUST be able to use missle weapons of some sort, i.e., bows, slings, throwing axes, etc. There were those times when my party of six could get in one and even two rounds of missle use and put some major damage on an opponent or 3 before my Tanks went toe to toe. Let us know how you make out.

1) If you play on insane (double xp), you only 'loose' your thief in the Temple of the Forgotten God and something of lvl1 of Dragon's Eye (I've done the same thing myself) - and the traps in TotFG aren't that bad.
your mage can cast 'knosk to open chests. (If he has it)
Otherwise potion of STR - and force them open.
Both Cleric and especially the Druid have 'Find Trap'-spell (lvl 2).

2) Scimitar or dagger + sling sounds like a good choise to me - and IIRC your druid can wear heavy armor (99% sure)

3) Ranger - longbow + 1-h swords (for the bonus attack)

4)Good mix - no problems

5)Never used phasing weapons - sorry

Hello,

1- unless you multiclass another as a thief/XXX, you're just going to have to learn to eat those traps. Maybe your bard can cast some Knock spells.

2- Sure, multiclassed figther/druids can wear whatever armor they want (it's the weapons that are restricted - but this doesn't have to be a bad thing). When I dualled fighter --> druid, my weapons were restricted, but I could swear that that wasn't supposed to happen!!
Albromor is ABSOLUTELY right - always have a missle weapon skill. Everyone should always have something to do! In a real fight, would you stand there and watch three of your friends fight a couple of others? Get that missle weapon skill!

3- well, a multiclassed mage/cleric (or else a really low dualled fighter to mage) or else a figher - depends on your style. Also, how about an elven figher/mage?

4- dwarf fighter and halfling cleric? half-elf mage/cleric and human bard?

5- don't remember.

- Twilight