Oh you know what. I remember what the main reason I'll never beat these games. The last time I think I was playing Savage Frontier, they make it so that you cant just divy up your gold to each char. You have to go back and forth changing and the gold coins also weigh loads of carrying space. So its extremely frustrating.

If the Goldbox games all have that set thing then they are unplayable. I think Pool of Radiance was made for the nes and they simplified stuff on console so that is probably my best bet. I dont think the other games are beatable because of that reason.

I already know the d and d rules so that is not a problem. Its just a shame they didnt modernize the other games rather than just PoRadiance.

Just to be fair, is that gold divy aggravating thing in all the ssi gbox games or just pool of radiance and gateway? I dont remember if eye of the beholder or ravenloft had it. I KNOW that dark sun doesnt.

All the PC Gold Box games had this handling of gold, it's a little annoying but still bearable.

If you maximize strength for all characters the carrying capacity will be higher and you have less weight problems.

If you buy something and pool the coins before paying the remaining ones will be changed into platinum (or steel in Krynn) which reduces the amount of coins and therefore the carrying capacity.
You also have to learn to leave money behind to avoid getting encumbered, there is far more than enough money in the game.

I recommend playing the original PC version of Pool of Radiance, leaving money behind shouldn't be too difficult once you realized that you can always get more money by random encounters if needed.

I'd take

1-2 male human fighter with 18/00 strength, 18 dex and con
1 female human cleric with maxed str, dex, con, wis
1-2 male half-elf fighter/mage/cleric with maxed str, dex, con, wis
1 male half-elf fighter/mage with maxed str, dex, con
1 male half-elf fighter/mage/thief with maxed str, dex, con