Even more on party types...

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

I've started a Monk a few times but always stopped the party and started over. They just never inmpressed me much. Low damage and rare critials made them boring for me.
I'd like to hear how to develop them and maybe give them another try. I really don't think any char. can match the Gadg. for instant kills though.

[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