What class and race is best to start with?

Hey guys, I'm about to start a new game and was wondering what class and race or multi-class characters would help the most with this game?

Someone mentioned illusionist/thief, what do you think?

Thanks, DocTDC

The game requires a good thief and there are only two of these that you can get through the first half of the game: Jan Jansen and Yoshimo. Yoshimo is too much a pure thief and not useful in the long run, and Jan Jansen is a multiclass meaning he will not get all the highest level spells if he is the best mage in the party.
So you may want someone with thief skills (assasin, swashbuckler have been used, may be good to dual class once Yoshimo is in the party and will have their skills back when Yoshimo leaves).
Also, there is a shortage of characters with 18+ strength; if you create a character with 18 or less strength then you will probably be stuck using Minsc and Korgan for the whole game so your character can use the strength improving equipment. If you like Minsc, then don't worry about it, if not, create a fighter-type and dual over to mage (so you can get use Jan as your thief and still get the high level mage spells).

If you are the hack and slash type, I'd go with a pure 1/2-Orc Fighter for 19 Str and Con. If you like being a spell-caster, I'd go with a specialist mage or a Gnome Illusionist/Thief. A cool combination is a Dual-Classed Ranger/Cleric, but I would only do this in multi-player mode.

[Accord]

If you are willing to spend time developing characters, try human fighter then duel to mage. I know there are many Kensai/mages out there, but the concept of not able to wear any armour still kind of puzzles me.....

As far as pure classes go, Monks are awesome, and really different. Check out the kit description

[Jon Irenicus]

be an Avenger Druid!!!

Ah. I'm a pure fighter/mage, too. And a very good decision it was.
Jan Jansen is an illusionist/thief, so you might as well just get him. It's a good idea to have a protagonist who can take a bit of punishment, so yes, a fighter would probably be best.

I play the game straight single player, no cheats, and like to lead. For this reason, I always play a Paladin/Human. I get good prices, good reaction, use some of the best gear in the game, kick the crap out of mages, undead, demons, etc. I use the rest of the party to fill out those necessary magic/cleric/thieving requirements. I am convinced this is the best single player approach for my still of play.
For my 2nd game, I will likely try a smaller party (maybe 2 or 3 PCs) by starting a multiplayer and converting to single and not use the NPCs for much of anything. I am still trying to decide what will work best for this approach.

i reckon a fighter is the best choice. you can get other mages and theifs and stuff, but the only good fighters really, are minsc, korgan and sorta valygar. also, it's nice to have a good, well, unkillable main character. but it depends what you like and who else you let in your party.

I'd say a specialist mage otherwise you'll never get higher level spell
a fighter/mage will have one spell less then spec mage and that one spell can just make the difference.
Theere are no decent mages in the game except for Edwin but Edwin is evil and i normaly have a party with 2 true mages
if you have a spec mage you can have this party
You - a mage
Keldorn - inquisitor but you need some dex booster (something that sets dex to 18 or something)
Valygar - Stalker he's a stalker with good armor something you won't see to often (or minsc)
Jan Jansen - Thief illutionist has a lot of thief skill enhancers and you can use low level spellls (and he's dutch)
Anomen - Aerie - Jaheira you need some sort of priest but i'd recommend creating one your self a Ranger/Cleric
Edwin - he's evil but VERY VERY good i maid him a chaotic good one using shadow keeper (i also changed jan's alligmnet

I think that is a good party to start with but i does mean you won't be taking Imoen