You don't need elementals all the time. They are not THAT good.
I killed the people in the seven den right after the starters dungeon and after I got Aerie. Since I had found an air elemental scroll in the dungeon, I let Aerie cast it, kicked her out of the party, and then I didn't have to fight Mencar, because the elemental did the job for me. The others were pretty easy. With tactics you can come a long way in the game without any "good in the beginning classes". The ranger/cleric was ok in the beginning, and I have survived the dualling quite ok, without reloading too much. The fighter/thief has saved my party quite a lot in the beginning with his Tuigan bow and backstabs so it hasn't been any really tough battles except for Glacias.
I think it is a smart idea to let my ranger/cleric tank when she hasn't got any spells. She has -7 ac already from the beginning with full plate mail and a ring, and has a fighters THACO. It is smarter to use her instead of the kensai or berserker, that doesn't get as low ac. Now, when all are dualled, I can begin thinking of spells. She will soon get her ranger abilities back, there is not much exp left. The fighter/mages have already gotten their skills back, so now it is killing time.
By the way, there aren't many evil clerics in the game, and besides, they are a piece of cake (drow-clerics come to mind).
Your archer/cleric can only wear armor, this is why I didn't choose that combo.
I think it is going very well with my party, and soon, when I have time, I am off to spellhold.
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