Optimal Party:
START, BEGINNING:
2 Dwarven Samurai. 2 Human Rangers, 2 Priest, Preferably Dwarven, Human. 3 Sages, Preferably Human, but Dwarven Ok. 1 Mage, Preferably human, but Elven just barely ok.
Also want 5 frontline, Melee, and 5 spellcasters.
Priest are only good until your Sages, reach levels 4,5,6, and when your Samurai reach levels 7,8,9, and when Rangers reach levels 8 to 11. When that happens, you will have enough priestly spell casting from Sages, Samurai, Rangers, that better then Priest, that can dispel like priest, etc, that the 2 priest in party should be reolaced by 1 more Sage, and either 1 more Sanurai or Ranger.
Sages cast both Priest Spells and mage spells as effectively as both Mages, Priest, provided Int, Wis is high enough like 25 to 30+ int, and 18 to 23 wis.
Samurai are the best fighters, plus have priest spells, plus deal with traps, so no need for Ninja, Thiefs, if have high level Samurai with decent to semi high stats
Ranger fight better then Hirebrands, but not as good as Samurai. They also cast both Mage Spells, and Priest Spells, once they get to about level 8.
When a Ranger has decent, semi high stats, is about 12+ level
Rhey have:
6,7,8 1st lev Mage
4,5 2nd lev Mage
2 3rd lev Mage
1 4th lev mage
5,6,7 1st lev Priest
3,4 2nd lev Priest
2,3 3rd Level Priest
1,2 4th level Priest
1 5th level Priest
Can fight effectively on front line
Or can use them like a cleric/Mage.
Rangers are NOT overrated
My party:
2 dwarven 14th level Samurai
3 12,13 level human Rangers
4 Sages: 1 level 10, 1 lev 9 1 lev 8, 1 lev 4.
3 sages are human, 1 is a Dwarf.
1 level 9 Elven Mage 48 hp
No Priest, No thieves, No Ninja
A very optimal, deadly party.
Mostly humans.
Theoretically you can roll kobold Samurai's, etc, if your butlucky after 10, 000 rerolls.
Also while they may level up quick, their STATS USUALLY SUCK
I''ll take my 38 strength 153 Hp level 14 DWARVEN Samurai, with his 28 int, 28 wis, and his LOTS of Priest Spells, over PUNY about 15 strength, 73 hp, level 17 kobold, with little spells, etc, anyday.