[Cerek the Barbaric]

Theoretically, his equipment SHOULD drop if he gets killed. I know it works in BG2 (although I haven't done it myself). Some players have gotten the "drow items" after leaving the Underdark by simply summoning a drow warrior and killing him. Since the drow brought the items to the surface, they don't disintegrate.

The Doomsayer probably will be much easier now that I understand the game mechanics better. On my first journey, I think it took about 3 days of playing for me to actually get through the Nashkell Mines. This time, I cleared them in a couple of hours. I have a much better strategy and battle plan this time through, so the fights aren't nearly so tough.

Another example was the Gnoll Stronghold. I lost count of how many times I had to re-load that game before finally finding Dynaheir. This time, I managed to wipe them out with missile weapons before they ever closed to melee.

And I DO plan to put a tank in front of him - that's what Drizzt is for. I just don't plan to "waste" any healing potions on him.