Completely fresh melee dps/tank viable?

[Kilodren]

Hello all -

Finally rolled on the server after lurking on the forums for probably a year telling myself I wouldn't really have time to play. The pull of nostalgia was too great after watching a couple streams recently.

I want to main a bard and there seems to be 2 competing lines of thought regarding starting fresh. Either A) go caster and farm plat to level what you really want or B) just bite the bullet and play what you want.

I have no plans/desire to swarm kite, so I plan on almost always grouping. So the question is: With the server being so old, are people still pretty accepting of fresh toons in groups? On the forums I know people act like its doable, but just don't want to invest the time in leveling only to hit 20 or 25 and start getting the boot out of xp groups due to lack of gear. Thanks in advance!