Last night I had Anomen practically solo a fight - Chant'd, Chaotic Command protection, Righteous Magic, Blade Barrier, Improved Haste, not to mention his favorite Rod of Spell Absorption - dude was unstoppable! (LOL)

(This game is freaking epic and continues to impress me)

Not quite. Properly outfitted tanks can easily get to -10 AC or better just from magic items, without even using a shield or buffs. Combined with their ability to physically block the path to the spellcasters (provided you aren't fighting in a field or something) and the relatively poor AI for most of the monsters, fighter-types are actually really really good at protecting the squishies. Most of the monsters in Watcher's Keep aren't "basic trash" by any means. Many of the mobs would be the equivalent of a boss monster in normal SoA, especially past the second level. I expect that if you go back to the areas you skipped in your rush to get Imoen and do Watcher's Keep, you'll find that they're all quite easy by comparison.

Yes but I was thinking about his ‘Turn’ un-dead ability... if he is seven (Cleric) levels higher then they just blow their brains out when he struts past.

IMPO Viconia has the edge because evil Clerics ‘Turn’ un-dead (and Paladins ToB) to your own side instead of blowing them up... Got a craving for some yummy baby kebabs? Just send one of those annoying goody two shoes types off to fetch the ingredients for you.

Having trouble getting past Draconis?

Have Nalia use the level 7 spell ‘limited Wish’ to ask for un-dead protection... her wisdom is less than 11 So 6 Vampires will show up to attack you... have Viconia turn them to your side and send them off to fight.

BTW it’s a repeatable wish... Who was it that said "crime doesn’t pay"?