[Gimli]

How important is a priest? In wiz6 and 7, they were essential (for me at least) but in wiz 8, players regenerate fast while they sleep.

Not necessary at all, especially if you have someone else who can cast from the Divine realm. They're cool characters though that are underrated, especially in a pure support role.

How powerful is a Bard? It seems that they can only launch their instrument about the same number of times that a spellcaster could launch their spell. I don't remember it being that way in 6 and 7.

I think in Wiz 8 the Bard class is almost overpowered, especially early on. They "cast" in Wiz 8 with stamina instead of mana, which is more easily recovered, and only need to concentrate on one skill for all their "spells" too. For me they are often in a "haster" role too which is invaluable.

Is it practicle for "elite" character to use their magic like it was in 6 and 7? It seems that my characters were using magic more in 6 and 7 than in 8.

All depends on what you want them to do, how you develop them. I personally develop hybrids to be more melee oriented, but they can be shaped into great casters as well. If you want to go in that direction, I would suggest going for a maxed Int score ASAP and getting powercast.

Depending on the answer to the above, wouldn't fighters be nearly as good as a lord or samuri or other elite?

Better if you're not interested in casting at all, Wiz 8 fighters are quite potent melee machines. The hybrids do get the set/return to portal spells though which can make movement around the world much easier and they can hold their own in melee too.

I found that a lord, sam, monk, ran, pri, bard worked wonderfully in 6 and 7, but I think that when I go through wiz 8 again, i am going to use 2 fighters, 2 bishops, a farie nin, and a ranger.

Either party would do well in Wiz 8 - just don't be surprised if you end up playing both of them and dozens more, it's very addictive [img]smile.gif[/img]