sweet.. really good advice thank you everyone. compelling arguments for big race as well as DE.. I will have to see which one I go with (been playing DE exclusively since live)

Def like the brute power of the ogre SK .. but it *will* be a bitch not to have slam at least, not to mention -50str/sta off the bat..

other great tips - I didn't think to get alternate weapons (duh) to keep my other skills up, and also the shield consideration is gold ..

at least I got a good weapon, that's half the battle :]