New to P99 and looking for tips on starting and SK or Paladin

[SirAlvarex]

You can play any of the race/class combos you want. Some will be easier than others but in general you should be fine.

Your first goal would be to get to level 9 for your spells. Depending on where you start you should also try and make enough plat to get someone to make you banded armor (90pp or so). EC tunnel should have someone that can blacksmith it for you.

Once you reach level 9 try and get a magic weapon. Any magic weapon will do. Kill willowisps until you have a bunch of Greater Lightstones. Go to South Ro's dark elf gypsy camp, turn in the stones, and sell the books for 10pp each. Once you have a few hundred (or thousand if you are into grinding) plat get a better weapon/shield. If you can get 500pp or so get a pair of 5ac/55hp rings. You can do this as a pally or a SK.

If you are a goodie and start in Qeynos I suggest doing the Rabid Wolf Pelt and Bandit Sash quests.

If you can be ~15 with banded and a decent ratio weapon (a .5 ratio weapon preferably, so like 9/18 or 20/40) and 2 55HP rings you'll be set up pretty well for the long run.