[Gadgeteer Tom]

I have played several times with the following :
Ranger - M Bumping INT,DEX,SEN: Scouting, Alchemistry
Ninja - F Bumping INT,DEX,SEN: Criticals, Marshal art
Monk - M Bumping INT,DEX,SEN: Criticals, Psionic
Gadgeteer - F Bumping INT,DEX: Engineering, Locks/Traps
Madge - M Bumping INT,DEX: Alchemy, Air, Divine
Bard - F Bumping INT,DEX,SEN: Music, Pickpocket, Communication
This time I tried a little 'dual-classing' (LVL2)
Samauri -> Ninja (she's still nearly naked !)
Alchemist -> Ranger (working on Divine,Air,Water !)
The Monk's Critical hit skill grows fast (I also look for extended one-hand weapon [Whip is nice] and any 'close combat' secondary that a Monk can equip - split up thrown stuff (if he has 8 shuriken, 4 are Primary and 4 are secondary), he started throwing twice per round at level 1 !
I might want to try Psionic -> Monk next time, because the Monk's magic lags the Ranger's (I do not develop my Ninja's magic much, more like as situations allow - development of magic is promoted for my Ranger and Monk and virtually all I let the Madge do (when the Monk runs out of spell points, he uses anything we've found - powders, sticks, bombs, etc. and I NEVER add points to any combat arts for the Madge - all magic [some Artifacts/Mythology]).
Using 'dual weapons' for "on the job training", the Ranger, Monk, and Ninja are developing combat skills very quickly despite some added hits that a shield may have helped with (more chance to cast 'heal' to have enough power to cast a more formidible Elemental later).
Dang, I'm talking myself into starting over with a Psionic -> Monk now...

I push Divine for "Elemental", Air for "Portal", and Water for "Stamina"/"Paralyze"
Don't know if I'll try Samauri -> Ninja again, although critical hit grows fast - it's hard to find good Ninja 'clothing'.
The Alchemist -> Ranger has some very powerful Alchemy already, scouts well, and fights very well.

I also do not use the 'default' formation - my guys are spread in a line, with the Madge behind my Ranger (who's surrounded by Ninja and Monk, with gadgeteer and bard on the ends). The bard get a beating more often, but everyone has a better chance for close combat...

Tom