[SixOfSpades]

I forgot to add that it's sometimes to your advantage to Dual a character almost immediately, at Level 2. (Dualing this low is not an option if you don't have BG1, but it's still worth mentioning.) A Thief(2)->Mage is exactly like a pureclass Mage (ooh, their Mage level is 1,250 EXP behind, big whoop), but with the ability to use a much wider array of weapons, and do things like chug multiple Potions of Master Thievery. A Mage(2)->Fighter has exactly the same THAC0 and Saving Throws as a regular Fighter, even more hitpoints (after Find Familiar), and can do things like reading Stoneskin and PfMW scrolls while in Full Plate. Etc.