I finished Wizardry 8 for the first time recently.
My character was a:

Dwarf Male level 35

Priest 8 / Bishop 8 / Monk 13 / Fighter 6

- Ended as a Fighter with Berserk double-damage insanity.
- Was a Monk and fought bare handed for most of the game, then decided to train Mace and Sword and Dual Wield in the end

I could cast Missile Shield, Armor Plate, Magic Screen, Detect Secrets; in battles, I cast Soul Shield and/or Element Shield as needed. My basic strategy was to cast Superman level 7 (super spell) then Guardian Angel level 7 then rush into the fray and crush the enemies.

That was a very easy "SOLO Moderate" game and my Dwarf was like a god himself. I decided to take Fighter levels in the end - my first idea was to be a Monk to the end.

As a Fighter, I could equip all the best armors and to Berserk.

I encourage dual classing if you Solo or use a small party (2-3). I should also state I NEVER used an RPC (like Vi, Miles and the others). I was always alone and I had a great and relatively easy time.

• Critical Kills,High Cleric (Guest), 05:13 PM, Mar-30-03

I should add that I had:

Close Combat 125 (+25% Fighter bonus)
Stealth 94
Critical Strike 91

I ended using Fang/Diamond Eyes. My critical kills were VERY common - remember I am a level 35 - and paralysis effect worked wonders, as the Knock Out Fighter ability. And, YES, Berserk Double-Damage is cruel. Sometimes, I slashed each time for more than 150 damage (when the enemy was paralyzed/unconscious >> X 3 damage, and I was under effects of Superman, etc).

Now that's a Strong character... hehe