Beastmaster/Cleric Dual

Recently i completed a run through with a Beastmaster dual wielding clubs (+2 from the Arch Shadowdruid and a +1) and basically used him as the front line fighter, which was the best choice at the time since i was going for a bit of a misfits party.

Alora
Xan
Rasaad
Viconia

I will be looking to dual him into a cleric in BG2EE, is level 12 the optimal level to do this?

also has anyone ever done a run with a melee oriented BM/Cleric or would it be best to switch to slings?

My BG2EE party will be a little mixed up like the first

I want to see how Rasaad and Viconia plays out and i'll also add Anomen and Jaheira (party balance doesn't concern me and i know im missing a thief)