All of the advice offered above is very valuable.
Remember that in Wiz 8 more so than MM6-8, your party has to work together as a team. A priest in some parties might need to act as a fighter, in others they will be an offensive spellcaster, but (as above) they will mostly function as a healer.
Your party
quote:
Fight, Sam, Prie, Rang, Mage, Gag
fits well into the roles my websites suggest for building a party:
- Offensive Linemen aka Tanks->your Fighter and Samurai
- Offensive Casters ->your Mage and Gadgeteer
- Healers -> your Priest (and perhaps Ranger and later definitely your Gadgeteer)
- Ranged Attackers -> Ranger and Gadgeteer
- Utility Infielders ->Gadgeteer and in Wiz 8, I would add
- Disablers-> your Ranger and Gadgeteer
Given that lineup, you want focus each character to build strengths in their respective roles.
For your party, you really need your Sam to be a fighter, not a hybrid, focus on Str and SPD or DEX, not INT or PIE.
Similarly, your Gadgeteer is your only locksmith and has the better disabling spells (Hypnotic Lure, Noxious Fumes) (If you're using your Ranger for lots of disabling, consider switching to Alchemist.) Make sure they practice engineering rather fighting (mind you, they will still be a killer fighter).