There is an interesting thread currently on page 2 debating Kivan or Coran as the best archer. What I am wondering is who is the better tank or melee for a good (rep 20) aligned party? Khalid as a pure fighter can get extra specialization in long swords (as a lvl 6 he currently has ** in bows and *** with longswords, not sure if he could have been even higher in swords had I not added the extra * in archery early on), the guantlets of defense raise his dex to 18 which helps his a/c, and he can use a long sword and shield.
Minsc on the other hand is stronger, and comes with dex 18, but as a ranger can never get more then ** in weapon profciency. But then 'go for the eyes Boo, go for the eyes' trumps 'Gorian would be proud of you' every time
In my party, the melee character is primarily to occupy the attention of a bunch of bad guys while the rest blow them away with longer ranged weapons. The ability to do melee damage is important, but so is the ability to simply stay alive with the least amount of damage possible.