i am about to go thru IWD for the second time, but i need suggestions for a party. this was my 1st party:

fighter(human)
fighter/cleric(human, dual classed)
fighter/thief(elf, multi-classed)
fighter/druid(half-elf, multi-classed)
bard(half-elf)
conjurer(elf)
i know for a fact that i will have a Ranger,but beyond that not sure.(please include races if you would, thanks)

Lose the bard, and two of the fighters, don't use a specialist mage, use a normal one, get a thief and a cleric, and a druid instead of a bard.

its tough to lose the bard, i like that high I.D. ability, but i think i will. druids are good, but i rarely use thier shapeshifting, anybody use it on a regular basis, and how bout the winter wolf, never tried it, can you use thier breath weapon when you shapesifht into one?

Forget Fat Egg's advice on the mage. Why would anyone use a regular mage unless its a multi-class. Specialist is the only way to go. So you lose a few spells. Big deal. Its more than made up for by the extra spells per level you get.

Well, after playing through once, I myself will give it a second shot with a new party.

My old party consisted of:

Paladin
Fighter
Fighter/Cleric
Cleric
Thief
Mage

I'm going to give this party a shot:

Paladin
Ranger
Fighter/Cleric (dualed)
Fighter/Thief (dualed)
Cleric
Mage

I was going to take a Bard, but I only found 2 instruments through the entire game and I don't think it's worth it.

Druid possibly, if I can Dual to one. The shape shifting is hyped since it returns your hit points everytime you change, so it can actually heal you if you're in dire need.
You get the form of the animal, not the powers.

Syvlus

I found 5 different instruments. One was a flute that did Cone of Cold, another of a lute (cant remember what it did). Something else that summoned 2 bezerkers to fight for you each day and a few other things. I think a bard would be nice to have.

there is also the Lyre of Progression which allows bards to memorize Xtra 2nd and 3rd level spells. this can be bought at the first store in Kuldahar, and if you pick Orrick the Gray's pocket you can get an amulet that allows mages and bards to memorize one Xtra 2nd level spell.