[Aerich]

Crud. Sorry, JS, the ranger can't go to druid, only to cleric, as you spotted. I've played a little IWD 2 recently.

Yes, that party idea is with HoW/TotL - otherwise the dual classes aren't worth it at that high a level - better to go multi or dual lower, as Marty said. Character #4 above should be a F/D. Also, the worthiness of bards and druids depends on the HoW tweaks - I've played them without, but they aren't nearly as spectacular that way. @ Marty - the only bard song you get without HoW is the basic one.

The only thing missing from the above party is thief skills - it's not a biggie for anyone who's been through the game before and has a decent memory, but I love sneaking around and starting combat by surprise. But if you put a paladin in the #6 spot, that party should be able to mow through just about anything.

@ Marty again - the priestly party is stalled by my exams and papers - the last I knew, they had ripped through the aquarium in Wyrm's Tooth, and were standing on the bridge to the Frost Giant Caverns. I'll pick it up again over the Christmas break. I do intend to have them finish the whole kit'n'kaboodle, if only to see how the evil Cleric[13-4?]/Necromancer turns out.