My ranged party and a question for Merkin

[KraGorn]

Continuing a discussion started over on IGN where I asked about using a party consisting of

Dracon fighter
Human valkyrie
Mook ranger
Hobbit ranger
Felpurr gadgeteer
Faerie bishop

you replied just now:

"Nope! I still love Drac breath, it's a fighter with a free area effect spell that keeps getting better without needing to put a single point into it. I don't rely on it as much as I used to, but it is still a life-saver at times. when the spell-casters are out of fireballs, toxic clouds, whirlwinds, etc, and the mobs are still coming, be very glad for that breath weap.

And Drac fighters make a very effective addition to a ranged party as well. I made the decision to ignore shield and dual on mine, just pupmp sword, close, and bow. It's working nicely."

Why pump bow?  If the drac's using his breath weapon what purpose does boosting bow serve?

[Merkin]

Because of the range.  breath is only a thrown range attack, and doesn't help a bit to take out that mage standing off in the distance hammering you with spells.  A couple of good bowmen, though, can usually take him down in short order, and let you get on with the carnage at hand! ;D

[KraGorn]

breath is only a thrown range attack

Ah, didn't know that, now I understand why you did the ranger->fighter at level 2 trick even for the Drac.  Glad I asked, it'd have been sad if I'd screwed-up the build at stage 1  

[Merkin]

heh, you would not believe how many times I DID screw it up in stage one...founding member of re-starters anonymous, here.

[KraGorn]

One more question, do you see any benefit in giving the Valk 1 level of Priest?  I've seen the theory that giving a hybrd 1 level of their magic shool early on gives a small but useful boost the their skills in that school which they can use to practice and beef up their magic without putting any points into it till later.

Any thoughts one way or the other?  Clearly the Valk and Fighter will start as Rangers, the plan being to change them over at level 2, it's at that point I would swap the to-be Valk to priest.