hey man i just ran to freeport but i think you were afk, was giving you a few platinum for songs. msg me when you get back online

A Mage or Necro in my opinion, are one of the best soloers by far for NEW players. They get pets, necros get dots, and mages get semi-nukes. Both of them have smaller xp penalties, if i recall its 20%... I started on hero as a mage, and im definately glad i did!

Level 5 bard, man this game does take a long time to level, but I am having a really good time so far. ^^

well you picked a class with a 40% penalty... until you can AE effectively you'll level real slow when not in a group

That's at level 18 I think. Then you can effectively bard kite (search for posts on that on these forums, there some good discussion). You picked a fairly difficult class to learn, too, for a new player. But if you can manage it you will take the EQ-bull by the horns.

Remember, that if you elect to group for exp once you've gained a few levels you will also be tagged as the puller (with your lulls to pull single mobs) and crowd-control (mezmerize and charm). Then of course there is your mana regeneration songs that casters will love.

In end-game raid situations you will be loved and sought after for your great resist songs. And as a dragon puller in the outdoors, since you can outrun most anything on Norrath with your travel songs.