I was planning on waiting until level 9, for that extra proficiency point, but now I think it might be better to dual right away at 7. I need the healing!

Opinions?

If you have the experience cap on then you can't dual at level 9 and still reach the max level for a cleric. But if you don't have the cap then you should dual at 9 for more hit points, lower THACO and another weapon proficiancy.

I suggest you wait for level 9 to get as many HP's as possible and that extra proficiency.

Reply to Draven:
You can't reach max cleric level unless you dual already at Ranger-5. Besides, clerics get their highest level spells at level 14, so not reaching level 21 means nothing. In this case we choose between Ranger-7/Cleric-20 and Ranger-9/Cleric-19.
Manton never mentioned wanting to cheat so I see little point in dragging in the use of an XP-cap remover when giving advise.

Earl Grey:

No, I would prefer not to cheat. Also, I assume that Throne of Bhaal will *significantly* increase the experience cap, and so even if I dual at level 9, I will still (someday) be able to push my character into the upper reaches of cleric levels.

Well, if you intend to use that character in ToB perhaps you should consider other options as well?

You can dual at 8 and still reach level 20 in cleric.