[VonDondu]

I don't think you need another tank. I also think Imoen would be better than Garrick if you dualed her to a Conjurer when she reached 5th Level.

You can also use meta-gaming strategies to maximize your party's experience. For example, don't pick up Viconia until your main character is 6th level so that she will be 6th level. The last time I played the game, I had two custom characters. My two main characters and Imoen did practically all of the sidequests before they went to the Nashkel mines, and then I picked up Viconia and Coran who were at maximum experience.