Baldur's Gate Character Creation

Fighters: Fighters are basically specialize in weapons; primarily melee weapons. You should have mainly strength and constitution. Dexterity is also so good but you can be a effecient fighter without it. Specailizing in axes and spiked weapons will save you lots of money. In fact with just axes you can use a battle axe and throwing axes as your only weapons and be good for most of the game. But if you play as a fighter you are going to want to get to Naskel and stop the Iron Shortage quickly to avoid breaking weapons because of your strength. Humans and Dwarves make good fighters.

Mage: If you going to be a mage you will rely on spells. They are severely limited on weapons and armor so spells are almost your only use in combat. Although generally you do more damage than a fighter because of your spells you going to want to avoid melee combat at all cost because of mage's lack of good hp. Intelligence and Wisdom are your prime attributes. A good dexterity or good constitution will be nice also. Offensive spells are generally more useful than others. However you are going to want to get a Identify spell once you start getting high in level. Humans and Elves make good Mages.

Thief: Thieves are better off relying on ranged weapons. This gives two advantages, first you don't have to invest in hide in shadows because you can't backstab. Lastly you avoid the thief's low health, light weapons, and light armor disadvantages. Your main attribute should be dexterity. The most useful thief skill is pick locks. A secondary skill should be find/remove traps. Halfings and Gnomes make good Thieves.

Cleric: Clerics should spend most of their money on armor due to them being able to wear almost any armor like the fighter and them not having good weapons. Clerics should have mainly wisdom but constitution helps immensely. Clerics should invest into healing spells and other recovery spells such as slow poison. Let's face it a Cleric is not a spell flinger like a mage. Humans and Half-Elves make good clerics.