Some good tips guys, thanks
I did hear 4 char parties level up too quickly (giving less exp sometimes), so if you have ecl races in your 4 char party it helps at giving you more experience, is that true?
As for min/max and role playing I am building a role playing writing forum so I like to keep everything as "realistic" as possible... though I have to admit that the way character ability points are set in IWD II it does maKE it hard!!!!