Right now I'm thinking to have a more magic-heavy party. Right now it conceptually looks like this-Human Lord
Human Samurai
Felpur Rogue (switching between rogue and ranger every other level)
Three Bishops
In a previous pary I played a gadgeteer up to lvl 20 and was disappointed with her throughout despite merging tons of gadgets, as I was with my psionicist. I played a game with 2 bishops and that played far superior to a bishop and psionicist. Despite enemy resistances I always found the bishops to be my most favorite (and most powerful ranged) characters, considering the combined magical mayhem they wrought. It seems that replacing the gadgeteer with another bishop would allow even greater spell diversity. My samurai did fine specializing in swords and magery. Unfortunately, I gimped the lord by concentrating too much on piety (but he had LOTS of stamina). My ninja wasn't very powerful, but the more-than-occasional critical hit was pleasant to witness.
The question is, should I have a fighter instead of lord, or have that character periodically switch between the two classes? I want him to be able to tank up loads of damage but be able to dish it out as well. I also want him to have some potent magic reserve just in case. Also, in developing my samurai, should I develop DEX with speed to get reflextion (for poor armor) as well as the needed snake speed?
I played this game through up to where I got stuck in rapax rift and found only a boomerang shuriken, ebony helm and mantis gloves with plate+3 for any good treasure, but they did very well despite no excalibur, muramasa blade, or all the other goodies that should've been standard. But I leave out the staff of doom and diamond eyes. Is it possible to get two of the diamond eyes in this game?
Help appreciated, thanks.