Hmm In my mind the answer to this question depends on several factors. Your personal preferences, playing style etc.
Here are a few Options I consider viable. I prefer Dual Class Humans since you can get ALL of the benefits of both Classes. The disadvantage of course is that you have to stop prgression in one Class and that you have to play the character at lower power for sometime before all the potential is realised. Once the potential is realised though LOOK OUT! I have listed the Characters at maximum level. My two Favorites are First.
OFFENSE
Human Fighter 13th/ Mage 15th - Very high Thaco, high natural HPS, Dual Weapon usage allowing up to 5 attacks per round
And High level spell usage. Preferred Weapons: Crom Faeyr and +3 Throwing Axe Preferred Armor: Bracers AC 3 , Pendant of Power, Belt of Inertia, Cloak of Mirrors, Ring of Acuity, Ring of Wizardry, Helm of brilliance. Preffered tactics. Cast stoneskin, Mirror image and Fire Shield as well as some powerful mind protection and Bravery. Add Spell triggers Loaded with three fireballs and three magic missles and Simulacrum and WOOHOO! Watch this guy solo through everything short of liches Dragons and Major Bosses! With a little bit of help from his friends he is virtually unkillable and a blast to play!
Fighter 13th /Thief 17th
High Ac, High thaco, Backstab, Hide in shadows, trap detection and removal and snare setting, this guy is an almost unmatcheable killing machine! He has access to Many weapon Specialties and with his hide abilities is a great scout. Sneak up to a wide combo of creatures and kill them in one round. Instead of the normal thieves vulnerablility, when this guy gets into melee he simply rocks! One of the most convenient advantages of this combo is he has so many weapon specialties available that he can virtually use any of the best weaponry that becomes available as it becomes available. No spell casting may seem like a limitation but heck he gets those special abliities as a main character doesnt he? Equip him similarly to the guy above except he can wear your Shadow Dragon Scale Armor for its high ac and use rings like the elemental rings for some added spell ability and ac. Protect him with your casters. Pay particular attention to mind protecting type spells. If this guy gets loose Dire Charmed on your party even a Minsc wont last very long. Very potent very nice character for those that LOVE melee. Ohh dont forget Dual weapon usuage that is my personal favorite awesome amounts of damage.
Fighter 13th /Cleric 15th
If you can't have a dual classed Paladin you might as well go one better. Can't use that awesome sword, but man do you rock! Protection type spells like crazy and some pretty nice offensive and summoning spells too, plus you can cast , wear Full Plate Armor (Red Dragon Scale my fav) giving this guy the highest ac and protective advantage of all.This is argueably the most survivable of the three types. Its not at all bad for your Main to be able to res people. Alternatively you could make this a combo Fighter Druid. You can still wear the same armor as the fighter thief combo then and therefore have pretty high ac, plus you get some of those neat Druidic abilities.
Well those are my Four best picks. All of these characters have at least some versatillty. I personally like magical combat but lean towards melee in my playing style. With the exception of the Fighter thief these offer a real nice mix of magic and melee.
Hope this helps in your choice.
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