So with no multi-classing and a limited selection of classes, we are to a large degree back to the typical basics of old school, 1980's party make up. I am wondering what my party will consist of, which leads me too to wonder what others will do.
Hey Welcome.
While it's true there won't be any multi-classing of base classes (e.g. Fighter / Rogue), there will be prestige classes your party members can advance to.
With that in mind, I think my party make up will depend on what prestige classes make it into the game, and also what feats and skills are implemented. For ex: If wizards have the choice to become an "Eldritch Knight", "Arcane Archer", or "Archmage", then I could definitely see myself having two wizards in the party.
1. Like you, I tend to like having a sword & shield wielding human knight leading the party. But whether I opt for a paladin or fighter depends on what feats make it into the game. In unmodded ToEE, there weren't really many good feats for them, such as Divine Might, so it made being a paladin less interesting to me (The Temple+ and Co8 mods add some). In that case, I'd lean towards fighter. I know Ceres wants to add many feats and spells into the game (hopefully almost every non-psionic feat listed on SRD for starters.
2. If the Dwarven Defender prestige class is in the game I'll probably want a dwarven fighter with a dwarven waraxe as well. Otherwise maybe a second wizard who will become an Eldritch Knight.
3. I also will likely have a cleric (or maybe a druid if I take a paladin).
4. I almost definitely want an Elven ranger with a longbow. Again it depends on what feats make it into the game; (vanilla ToEE was missing some useful ranged weapon feats).
5. I will most likely want an Elven or Halfling rogue.
6. And of course have to have at least one wizard (probably human for the extra feat).
Typically with CRPGs that let you create your own party I find that I restart the game with many different combinations. I'm really going to try not to do that with RB though.
Btw, it's not yet confirmed that bards will be in the game (actually from the sound of things they will likely only be added in an expansion pack), though I'm sure a modder will attempt to unofficially put them into the game before then. From the sound of things creating custom classes and feats should be pretty easy.. they just won't have unique animations, gear, visual /sound effects, etc. that the official classes will (unless a modder decides to really put in a lot of work).