Helpful Suggestions or Modifications for Duo?

[Girevik]

Goal:
Create a duo of characters that are capable of fully exploring the low- mid- level quests (up to 6th or so) and eventually participating as a contributing part of larger groups for later quests.

Restriction/Parameters:
Player A (my friend) is a new player to the game who has 28-point builds and Drow available for play. He has also expressed a desire to play a "Ranger". Player B (myself) is a more experienced player who has both 32-point builds and Drow available. He is willing to play anything that will work, but hasn't tried a "Bard" before and is leaning that way. Both players are going to be very casual about time spent with the characters, so we are looking at a slow level progression.

Initial Proposal:
Player A will play a Dwarf Ranger "Scout" (w/ some Fighter). Player B will play a Drow Bard (with an early Rogue level or two for Trap/Lock smithing and Evasion). This will allow the new player to lead the way scouting out the "to him" unfamiliar quests.

Dwarf Ranger (/Fighter) "Scout"
Str: 16 + Level-ups + Item + Ftr Enh.
Int: 8 (dump)
Wis: 14 + Item
Con: 14 + Item + Dwf Enhs.
Dex: 14 + Item + Rng Enhs.
Cha: 6 (dump)

Level/Class Progression:
1-5 Ranger, 6 Fighter, 7 Ranger, 8 Fighter, 9+ Ranger

Skills:
6 - 1 = 5 Skill Points per Ranger Level
2 - 1 = 1 Skill Point per Fighter Level
At First: +4 to Spot, Hide, Move Silently, Jump, & Concentration
Progression: Keep Spot at max, spread additional points between Hide, Move Silently, Jump, Balance(cc), & Tumble(cc).

Feats:
Character Feats at 1, 3, and 6: Toughness, Dodge, and Mobility
Fighter Feat at 6: Spring Attack
Fighter Feat at 8: Improved Critical: Slashing
Character Feats at 9, 12, and 15: Select to suit playstyle, possibilities include Power Attack, Oversized Two Weapon Fighting, Mental Toughness, Archery Feats, …

Favored Enemies:
Undead, Giants, & Evil Outsiders

Enhancements:
Tempest (obviously), Fighter Str 1, Ranger Dex 1&2, Dwarven Toughness 1-4, Dwarven Con 1&2, Dwarven Armor Masteries, Axe Attack, etc. (play by ear based on gear and preferences).


Drow Bard (/Rogue) "Sapper"
Str: 10 + Item
Int: 16 + Item (when Searching or Disabling)
Wis: 8 + Item
Con: 12 + Item
Dex: 16 + Item + Drow & Rog Enhs.
Cha: 17 + Level-ups + Item + Bard Enhs.

Level/Class Progression:
1 Rogue, 2 Bard, 3 Rogue, & 4+ Bard.

Skills:
8 + 3 = 11 Skill Points per Rogue Level
6 + 3 = 9 Skill Point per Bard Level
At First (Rogue): +4 to Balance, Disable Device, Haggle, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Open Lock, Search, Spot, Tumble & Use Magic Device
At Second (Bard): +5 to Perform, +4 to Concentration
At Third (Rogue): +1 to Balance, +2 each to Disable Device, Haggle, Open Lock, Search, & Use Magic Device
At Fourth (Bard): +2 to Perform, +1 each to Concentration, Disable Device(cc), Haggle, Search(cc), & Use Magic Device
At Fifth and onwards (Bard): +1 each to Concentration, Disable Device(cc), Open Lock(cc), Perform, Search(cc), & Use Magic Device

Feats:
Character Feats at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15: Skill Focus: UMD, Weapon Finesse, Mental Toughness, Spell Focus: Enchantment, Extend?, Force of Personality? (play later feats by ear)

Enhancements:
Spell Singer (& prerequisites), Rogue Dex 1, Bard Char 1&2, Drow Dex 1&2, Wand, Healing, & Spell Point Boosters, ... (play by ear based on gear and preferences).