welcome mordenheim. i'm not a master, but i have no shortage of opinions (even some that contradict myself
). taking your questions directly:
(my wife says my posts are too long, so here's a reader's digest edited reply)
a) ranger. (note: dplax's advice is better. it's nice to see someone think outside the box.)
although the valk covers off the priest book for you, they wont develop it quickly or to a very high level, like the priest will (small tick to the priest). however, you currently have no one covering the alchemy book. since mixing (an ability conferred by alchemy skill) is a great way to get cash, and your party has quite a few characters who can use some pretty expensive equipment later, you'll want access to the money. your ranger will do this for you (big tick to the ranger).
b) yes, good. but there's no bard parties - it's how you play them [img]smile.gif[/img]
it's a melee heavy party, with only one pure spellcaster. the big gap is no access to the mage spellbook. in addition to being an excellent attacking book, it offers two of the best buffs in the game: missile shield (the best, imo) and enchant blade. for a melee party, these spells would be great additions.
for my style, i'd go mage instead of psionicist. but that's just me.
c) there's definitely no right or wrong to this one, but some thoughts...
fighter - dracon. the lizardman has better starting stats, but i dont like the big penalty to mental resistance. the dracon's a bit more balanced. i prefer strength and speed for beginning development. by doing speed, instead of dex or vitality, you open up extra swings per attack and better initiative to strike early.
valk - human. this gives you the best balance for supplemental spell casting, which you'll need to do since no other character covers the priest spellbook (assuming you go ranger). i'd put a bit into intelligence at the beginning, but not too much. put the lion's share focus on strength and dex.
rogue - hobbit. the king of rogues. 60 bonus points - drop 20 each into strength, speed, and dex. then pump strength and speed to the max, then dex. arm them with double stilleto (daggers) or sword and dagger and watch the carnage. they're the best whirling dervish in the game.
psionicist - my experience with psi's is minimal, but i'm sure others will have good advice.
if you go mage, i'd strongly recommend elf. run up intelligence to the max and pump up speed then senses (to maximise initiative). a little vitality later can help their carry capacity (for throwing stones)
bard - the mook bard is one of the game's true powerhouses. eew has done some great detail work on their development, so i'll ask you to look up his posts. in short, pump strength and dex, build them like a melee'r. but use their music as much as possible, and in particular take advantage of the hasting drums when you get them.
ranger - again, mook is a good choice, but i like gnomes. pump dex and senses early, then add strength and vitality. dont forget to mix potions whenever you get the chance, to build their alchemy without having to put points in at level ups.
(whew, glad i cut that down [img]tongue.gif[/img] )
edit: dplax and i must have been writing at the same time. edited to acknowledge his excellent advice.
[ 10-14-2003, 07:35 AM: Message edited by: sultan ]