Curious about P99 as a true new player.

[Rtelephone]

Half the people i've spoken to swear by making a mage as my first max level so I can farm and have support for the main I plan to play.

The other half told me to just grind it out.

I'd like to be a hybrid utility class (bard, ranger, pally, etc) but they are pretty much dead set on the fact I will have the roughest time ever not only getting groups but trying to gear up to be useful.

What do you guys think?