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.