i recently played through the game with a party of 3 fighters and a bishop. very early on in the game (in the monastery) i had everyone become a thief for a level and built up everyone's stealth to 60-70 and then switched them back to their main classes. the armor class bonus of 6 or 7 proved very effective, especially for the bishop but also for the fighter who were in beserk mode permanently.

in equipping the fighters i favoured items that conferred magical resistances (helmets, armor, amulets, rings etc...) rather than simply those with the biggest numbers for damage or armor class. this approach combined with the protective bishop spells meant they rarely were turned insane or turncoated etc...

not a very subtle group but extremely effective. bulldozed my way through numerous battles that had proved quite tough in previous games.

Good strategy, Grellan. I would have made one of the rogues a lord or valkerie, though, instead of back to a fighter...so you can have a second portal person and some extra healing.

Well, thats an extremely easy party.

Short ago, i played the same party (on expert ironman), but without stealth training. Was very easy even without this extra AC.