Here is my current party for IWD 1.
Human Paladin (my main guy)
Dwarf Cleric
Elf Mage/Thief
Human Ranger


I want to keep the Paladin and the Cleric, but wonder if a Fighter/Thief and a Fighter/Mage might be a better setup to go with them. I am in it for the fun and not powergaming. I just want a smaller party for less management.

Suggestions on a race for the Fighter/Mage and Fighter/Thief appreciated as well if that is deemed a better way to go. Thanks alot.

FTR/Thief for sure. I'd go with Gnome.

FTR/Mage isn't a bad idea either, although I'd consider perhaps a Bard instead. They can put a pip in any weapon and they also get spell access. But I'm partial to Bards. Anyway, for FTR/Mage, look at either Elf or 1/2 Elf, or you could consider dual classing a Human from FTR to Mage.

It's a shame you don't want more party members, because a Druid gets some kickass spells as well. Great class.

Hi, the party that I find best is:

Paladin

2 fighters (Dwarfs)

Fighter/Druid

Thief (halfling)

Wizard/Invoker

this gives me a good all round set of skills/abilitys for the game. lol I even use the same team for IWD2 exept that I cange the fighter/Druid to a Cleric of Tempus.

does a halfling make a decent Fighter/Thief? Looking at the +1 dex bonus
thanks

I have a Ranger in the party I now have for some of the spells you get later (some are Druid spells?), which makes me wonder if my current setup should be left alone

Elf is not a good race for mage/thief. Raise dead doesn't work on elves and it will take a long time until your cleric learns resurrection so you'll need powerword:reload more often.

If mage/thief and ranger or fighter/mage and fighter/thief is better for you depends on your playing style. Both work.

Halflings can't start with more than 17 str while gnomes can start with 18/00 str which makes a huge difference in melee, more than the extra bonus to saving throws and dex halflings get. It will take a long time until you find an item which sets strength high to make teh halfling superior.

so a gnome is a better choice for a mage/thief?

Gnomes cannot be mages, only illusionists. If you don't care about setting skull traps the extra spells per day make the illusionist superior.

Fighter/Thieves are excellent due to their backstab ability. With my play style (rest only once per day, not after each battle) my F/T always have about 50% of the kills before the mage(s) catch up.

STR is important in the beginning of the game, but later you can cast long lasting Enlarge spells that give your character giant strength.

For fun you may consider taking a Bard (at least one quest is Bard only) and a Druid (fun spells and abilities).

nvm

There's no enlarge spell in the game and the strength spell works just as described in the manual, raising strength from 17 to 18 at least and 18/70 at most. So you'll have to rely on rare potions for most of the game if you need the extra power.

Damned my flaky memory and damned all those different AD&D rules.
Was Enlarge removed from 2nd edition AD&D?
In the Gold Box games I think Strength could give a fighter type 18(00) STR. Was this also a difference between the AD&D editions?

Is there any point in having a character with both bows and missile weapon specialization? For whatever reason I gave my halfling Fighter/Thief both, as well as large sword. Wonder if all into missile might be better due to the halfling bonus?

I usually have a Halfling Fighter/Thief with Missiles skill, while the fighter types have Bow skill.

Bows do more damage (especially if you have lower than 18 str) while missile weapons let you use a shield. It's ok specializing in both for ranged flexibility if you also specialize in a melee weapon. There are enough large swords to get your fighter/thief and even another party member through the game.