Note: You don't have to get the first 4 FTR levels by level 20, but I would advise it just so you get the benefits of Weapon Specialization early on.

Some munchkin advice if you're a powergamer like me: make sure you take a Rogue level at levels 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, and 27. That way you can top up your Tumble ranks to a number that's divisible by 5, which means you get a +1 to your AC. It's not vital that you do this at those levels, but those are the levels where you can do it right away and get the immediate benefit.

As long as you are taking henchmen, most of the fights should not be impossible. I'd suggest do as many side-quests as possible and delay the main-quests until you are sufficiently more powerful. You can also check gamefaqs for builds.

Yeah, HIPS is totally cheesy. I do enjoy the hell out of it though.

I LOVE Deekin. He kicks serious ass. Or at least once he's higher level nothing ever touched him.

Karl