Evil NooB Partee

[Garthdawg]

While I wait for the game to arrive, I've come up with this party, but I'd like criticisim, advice and answers to a few questions. The theme is evil characters, some remiscent of BG2, although exceptions are possible:

Sorcerer Drow Leader/Speaker
Rouge2/Evoker X Rouge
Barbarian1/Fighter X Half-Orc
Barbarian1/Fighter X Shield Dwarf
Morninglord (Cleric) Shield Dwarf
Monk Deep Gnome


I'm not sure if I want to include the last one, b/c it seems that he'd just soak up experience for a long long time, and I like smaller parties (easier to handle). I'm not sure if there'd be better Cleric or Mage specializations. The Sorcerer Drow could possibly pick up a level of Monk and if she was lawful good, paladin for extra bonuses.

Is this party to slow at gaining experience?

Why do most people tend to have full parties with 3 or 4 melee characters? Aren't one or two enough?

Why do people choose to take fighters to level 4 and then start another melee occupation? Are there not too many good feats?

Lastly, if a character is under multiclass penalty (ie: only get 80% XP) then does the rest of the party get the extra (20%) or does it just dissapear? If it is spread, can you drag along extra party members that don't gain XP but can fight or cast, and gain levels like you had a party of 3?

Does having less party members drastically increase level ups? (ie: soloing, one should reach lvl 30 by the end).

Thanx to anyone who can help

[fable]

Lastly, if a character is under multiclass penalty (ie: only get 80% XP) then does the rest of the party get the extra (20%) or does it just dissapear?

It just disappears.