[SixOfSpades]

What I hate is that when you attack the Gauths, there's usually a pack of Shadow Fiends or whatever, that hear the ruckus and charge into the fray, as if you needed more guys to fight. Annoying....

I usually form up well away from the bridge, with a Tank in front of my line of archers (even though the Gauths can see--and shoot--your weaker guys even when they're the full screen away, I still do this. I don't know why). Then I have a Thief lay a few traps along the path the Gauths would have to take to come at me, and then I cast something like Fireball or Cloudkill in their general area. Run back to the main party, keep those ranged weapons ready. Ignore the Shadow Fiends unless they go for a Mage, concentrate fire on the Gauths. As has been mentioned, summons and buffing spells are a big help.

And hey! I didn't even use the shield of cheese!