Ok, I just restarted after reading a few posts about odd parties. I made a 2 character party of a human bard and a mook gadgeteer. Right now I am working both their swords, the bard will work shield as soon as I find one argh. I was thinking about switching the gadgeteer to a ranger after getting to a decent level, and the bard to a fighter. I know I wont have alot of spells, but I think I can get by with scrolls and the instruments for awhile.
Right now my biggest concern is the switch from gadgeteer to ranger. I plan on using modern weapons with the ranger, and was wondering if rangers using ranged modern weapons got the crit chance? If it did, it will be a crazy party to play once I get their strengths up. Otherwise Im not sure what to do with them har. I already know they cant keep using the omnigun, which kinda sucks. ah well,

Cornbread

Yes, Ranger crit applies to any weapon they use. My fave was Frontier Phaser. I also ran a duo of Bard and Gad, but mine were both Human, and the Bard switched to Sam (Muramasa!) after 11 Bard levels, and the Gad went to Fighter after 18 levels as a Gad. (they both also had a Rogue level for Stealth)

Later on the omnigun gets much better. Like you will have blind, K.O., kill and several other nice bonuses on it, and the to hit and initiative bonuses go up also. I think it impoves as your gadg levels up, though there might be engineering skill requirements also.

Cornbread, I like the idea of switching the Gadgeteer to a Ranger. Personally I can't recall any game where I changed professions of any character. I don't know why, maybe because I don't want to get involved with that (keep the game nice and simple).

I like Rangers because they have many weapons and armor that only they can use. Another thing is the ALWAYS SEARCHING skill. This allows you to find many hidden items without turning on the search key. So basically you don't have to continue to search in the same area for long periods of time to find an item (plus monsters can surprise you/get an early shot at you if you have search on). And of course the ranged skill bonus.

Ranger, ranger, ranger!!!

After some consideration the ranger might be a good idea, if you want to find all of the hidden instruments for your bard.

imo, modern weapons simply arent worth it in this game. the damage range is too wide and the ammo is too heavy.

the ranger's natural ranged crits do well with the more powerful bows and crossbows you get later in the game, as well as some of the awesome arrows and quarrels that are available.

there's a thread out there about best ranged weapons, where i stated my feeling that the siege arbalest with lightning bolts is the best combo in the game, if your initiative and skill is high enough to get you the extra attacks/swings to shoot multiples per round. the ranger will clearly have this, so would do well with it.

I don't recall any hidden instruments (maybe frigid fiddle?)
It's several of the gadget parts that are hidden, so a ranher is a big help when playing with a gadgeteer.

indeed the frigid fiddle is hidden. also, the dulcimer of mending in marten's bluff is hidden (i dont think the other one is, though).

i cant think of any others.