[NobleNick]

Originally posted by Aerich: Fighter[9-13]/Druid - summoner, offensive spells, healing; good tank for the second rank or even first rank. Will get the elemental shapechanges and static charge. Can get 5 PP if you are patient enough to get to lvl 13 before dualing. Longsword is good (for the scimitars), but spear could be a "sleeper" choice if you put this one just behind your main tanks.

Aerich, a nitpick...

The F/D only needs to go to F[12] to get the 5 PP in melee plus 3 in Sling. However I heartily recommend going to F[13] to get the extra 1/2 ApR.

Jerry_Seinfeld,

Assuming Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster is installed, my power party suggestion is:

1a.) Paladin (**LongSword, **LongBow)
1b.) Elven Ranger (**LongSword, **LongBow)
2.) DC Fighter[9]/good_Cleric (*****Flail, **Sling)
3.) DC Fighter[13]/Druid (*****Scimitar, ***Sling)
4.) DC Fighter[13]/neutral_Cleric (*****Mace, ***Sling)
5.) MC Gnome Thief/Illusionist (*ShortSword, *ShortBow)
6.) Bard (*LongSword, *crossbow: Doesn't matter; she rarely uses weapons)

--OR--

1.) DC F[12]/Illusionist (*****Axe, **LongBow)
2.) DC Fighter[9]/good_Cleric (*****Flail, **Sling)
3.) DC Fighter[13]/Druid (*****Scimitar, ***Sling)
4.) DC Fighter[13]/neutral_Cleric (*****Mace, ***Sling)
5.) MC Fighter/Thief (**LongSword, **LongBow)
6.) H-elf Bard (*LongSword, *crossbow; she rarely uses weapons)

I have found Cleric power to greatly ease the pain inflicted on the party in the expansions. Any one of the first 4 characters can tank; though I would typically rely on the Paladin and DC Clerics.

You need to plan DC characters carefully (fun!) and roll them carefully (more fun!). For ALL characters except the F/D, the formula is DEX=CON=STR=18 (in that order or importance); plus INT=18 for Bard and MC Illusionist, and WIS=18 for DC Clerics. Accept no rolls totalling less than mid 80s.

Now, on to the DC Fighter/Druid: A good DC Fighter/Druid takes a little patience to roll. Take a look at the following thread (especially toward the end) to see if it is something you would like to undertake.

Thread that Noble Nick started: Druid Questions (Weapons and Spells).

Notice that: EVERY one of the front 4 (except for Pally/Ranger): are at 5 PP deep in a melee weapon? EVERY one of the front 5 is at the highest possible skill level with melee weapon? That EVERY one of the front 5 has AT LEAST an extra ApR with ALL of their selected weapons by CLVL[7]? That EVERY one of the front 4 will have at least 126 HP at CLVL[9]? (This last assumes that you have selected max HP per level in the game options menu.) That EVERY one of the front 4 can tank (although I would let the Pally do it. Clerics can help)?

The Pally may look like the weak link, but he is not. His natural resistances and excellent armor (you give him the best!) Make him THE tank. All the monsters beat on HIM, while all the Fighters beat on THEM. In addition, the Pally eventually gets a weapon that puts him on an offensive par with the best Fighters. The Paladin will lead what is essentially an army of Fighters; that, Oh, by the way, can cast Mage, Cleric and Druid spells until your eyes sag out of your head from watching them.

Although she will be the party Mage in the early game, the Bard's main purpose is to sing War Chant non-stop, so as to put armor plating on this killing machine, and heal them up for the next round. (This means EVERY party member is ALWAYS at 100% HP entering EVERY battle, and frees up the Clerics' many spell slots for buffing, curative and offensive spells, rather than straight healing. It also means your party never sleeps, except to regain spells or when fatigued.)

The Bard's own AC (and Cleric/Illusionist, if you pick that party) is the chink in the party's very impressive armor; but if you give her/them Stone Skin, Blur (spell or item) and Mirror Image, she/they can, when needed, be tougher then your best tank.

Hope this helps.

--------------------
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!