[wanderon]

Indeed dual classing really works best when you have limited levels - like for BG1 alone where you can stop at level 6 and dual otherwise you end up playing half the game as one class and most of the rest as the second class trying to get your first class ability back...

My first IWD party was

Paladin
Dwarf fighter
fighter 3 druid X
Ranger 6 Cleric X
Halfling Thief
Gnome Illusionist

Its the only party I finished the game with (with both HoW and ToTL) and I almost immediately regretted dualing the fighter/druid at level 3 but felt I needed some healing power going into Dragons Arse. The party worked out fine with my DCs being mostly priests with better weapon profs but in hindsight I think the MCs are much better than DCs unless you just want a few levels for special perks like 3-6 levels of fighter for a mage to use helms and shields and better weapons.