Not sure what class to play

[NirrtiXXX]

I jsut want to play something fun for starting out.

I have played classic EQ extensively but never maxed out a toon, consider me an altoholic. I am interested in playing a non caster class such as a Bard or Shadow Knight. The question is are the downsides to the classes that do not have gate or bind affinity an issue? I know that the SK is gear dependent, but I am not worried about that. I just do not want to be needing a Bind affinity all the time and have no one to do it for me.

Also are some classes like Rangers and Paladins just dead classes that are worthless? Is race that big of a deal? I know some racials like ogres anti stun is a big deal, but do Erudite Paladins or Shadow Knights just suck?