Take things slowly (it is NOT a race), avoid unnecessary conflicts, summoning is one of your best friends (so are potion of extra healing), rest a lot (and I mean A LOT), ALWAYS use area affecting spells on enemies to soften them up, and you don't have to do all side quests.
P.S. I was using a berserker/mage, imported from a previous game, so it is a bit cheesy. There are ppl who solo from scratch however.
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Long live H22A1!!!!!