[Bubbles]

I like to break it down by important attributes. STR for wearing plate mail and holding loot, STA for hitpoints, AGI for avoidance, and WIS for manapool.

Obviously WIS is the most important stat. STA doesnt return much for hps per pt, but its still more total hps. AGI obv isnt a huge deal, but it does add to AC and any extra chance to dodge to fire off a DA/Root/etc is worthwhile. STR is far more vital than you think. Hateplane/Kael/TOV armor is f*cking heavy, period. My cleric at various times of her levelling wore Thick Banded Belts, Dhamp cloaks, a vast supply of weight reduction bags, *anything* just to wear armor and loot enough fine steel and gems to offset peridot cost. No one wants to play a plate-wearing class who's constantly at 115/80 encumbered before the adventure even starts. Trust me, it sucks far more than any bit of min/max you gain at the end.

So that wall of explanation text out of the way here's the races and 4 prime stats:

Race------STR-STA-AGI-WIS--TOTAL
Dark Elf---65--70---90--93----318
Erudite----65--75---70--93----303
Gnome----65--75---85--77----302
Human----80--80---75--85----320
Halfling---75--80---95--90----340
High Elf---60--70---85-105----320
Dorf-------95--95---70--93----353

As you can see, Dorf and Halfling come out clearly on top, with the downside being both are on the lower end of the CHA scale (crit lull resists).

Pros: Both have excellent starting cities for newbie leveling. Rivervale a bit less cumbersome and confusing.

Both can wear small armor: If you spend any time in banded/bronze types of armor, the smaller versions weigh quite a bit less.. So even tho you are among the strongest cleric races, your armor weighs the least. Extra bonus for picking smartly!

Dorf cultural armor is better than anything short of TOV armor. Its borderline criminal how good their cultural plate armor is.

So not only go dorf, make sure your religion aligns with the cultural armor. Win at EQ.

Personal choice : halfling female. The plate pointy hat is a thing of absolutely beauty and worth +50 fashion quest points. Plus sneak is neat.