does anyone have any advice or character builds that they can throw my way that they were able to play straight through the game right to the end with. I've heard from many people, articles and reviews that you could play the first half of the game as any character you want. but that the second half of the game required a more well rounded character in order to survive and I would like to avoid having to start over from the beginning after 20-30 hours in.

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/Lionheart_Legacy_of_the_Crusader/what_amp_039_s_the_most_powerful_build
Might help you.
There's also a fire mage guide thread, this works well but has mana issues.

ive never heard any1 say that u need to have a well-rounded character. then i beat the game my character was certainly not well-rounded(nothing but archery, healing, and dodging.). my point is that u can beat the game WITH ANY CHARACTER. but, certain traits do make your character stronger(i prefer to have healing and some long range attack or a long range spell, because the part that i had the most trouble in is with the assasin archers shouting from the towers where i have to go all the way around though some blade traps and kill several other assasins).

I personalty play a evil roguish type of character ... anyway here's my LvL 31 guy
!Save File Here!