Having played one or two along with journeying with many I think that for a new player a fighter is a very hard option. Fighters are absolutely dependent on gear moreso than any other class. The dependency gets worse as they level up making it harder and harder as they play longer.

Any other ideas?

Make it much past 30 with a very first character on CF (unless they've mudded somewhere else).

Warriors are recommended because the game mechanics for them are a little simpler. You learn the basic commands, the basic feel of the mud. And you get to know some of the more common areas without the instakill that comes along with a mage or healer. Then, when either you think you have a feel, or your warrior dies, you roll up something else and play it... and use your second (or third) character to learn item locations etc etc... playing a bard or mage class helps this along tremendously.

Then try going back to playing a serious warrior after. The change is your character's capacity is usually amazing.

- Tharena

First off,
Can you RP?
If so, I'd go Shaman, paladin, or healer for my choice if I thought I could pull off a easy religion.
If I can't RP.
Um, well sadly almost everything in CF is gear dependant or dependant on some sort of in game knowledge.
Though, I would say for newbie survivablity, I'd say assassins are the toughest prehero.
They do rely on gear but they don't need gear/preps to see in the dark/hidden/invisable.
As well as they are quite capable of fighting barehanded.
I would suggest a arial as your race. And that you be neutral or evil have fun with it and good luck!

Assassins are more survivable than warriors, as they are a stealth class and can heal themselves better. Also, they are less gear dependent than warriors. The class use many fighting strategies in PK, which makes it versatile and interesting. Gearing assassin is some kind of combination of hp, damage, hitroll, stats and spell saves.

Also, gear has no effect on how well a shapeshifter fights in form(unless the item gives a status affect). The only thing a shifter needs gear for is boosting his own hp. So basically, the class can PK naked when in form. Shifters are also simple to PK with.

I recommend you assassins and shapeshifters.

But then I'm kind of known for getting tromped into the
dirt too.. hrm you might have something there. *rofl*

Bards are a very self sufficient class, that can heal themselves, refresh themselves, sleep their enemy, sing songs of damage reduction, they can parry, dodge and block with a shield, etc.

The list goes on and on about their capabilities. I would reccomend giving them a shot.

If you mean warriors, then there is some truth in that.

However, assassins can be deadly with crappy gear, and thieves can get hold of gear more easily.

I'd suggest one of them to a new player wanting to play a fighter of sorts.