The skills I actually invest in:
Strength
Intelligence
Melee
Quick Action
Parry
Blessing Magic
Mental Magic
Mechanics
Leadership
Healing Craft (a little)
Spellcraft (a little)
A little bless, haste, essence shield, daze, and go to town hacking away.
EDIT: This is not helpful to you in any way because this is for G4 and a class that doesn't exist in the previous games
And I can't wait to get involved in those big strategy conversations we're bound to have.
I like them a lot. Roots and Quintessence (both for BoE) are my favorites.
There are plenty for BoE - check out the top-rated scenarios on CSR and most will be this story-driven type of scenario.
If it's out in the open you get more people trying their hand at making geneforges and augmenting serviles and all that mess. Better to keep it with people who know what they're doing.
Oliver is the traveling salesman you meet in basically every big town. You need to tell him in Silvar that the coast is clear, or else he won't come down. I think.
My favorite battle with drakes is in Krizsan Province in Exile III. You get a drake lord and a bunch of giant lizards on your side against a boatload of drakes and ice drakes.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a split between Drakon and human rebellions - they're after different things. I have a hard time distinguishing Drakons from hardline Shapers.
VoDT shouldn't have been much of a problem, since I beat it with a level 1 singleton (Divinely Touched and Fast on Feet) and ended up around level 17/18.