Leveling and other starting questions.

[thrawnseg]

I started a SK last night, but I don't ever remember it taking 3 hours to get to level 3. Is this leveling speed the same to 50? It seems like it's almost double what it used to be IMO.

Also, I've read melee is terrible to play due to some wrong calculations - is this still true and am I screwed trying to solo?

Lastly, do SK's have lifetaps on here? I can't find if they do or don't anywhere, but I noticed the pets were blue and not green, so it's somewhat changed.

Thanks!