Well, here is somethings to think about...
/some spoiler's possible
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Barbarian:
Pro
Therotically the highest hit points (d12), and can push to high const with rage
Rage ability (improved beserking)
Con
Only 2 weapon prof slots
can only wear up to chain mail, no plate armour for him
--overall a pretty good choice

Paladin: have 4 types all are good at killing a more specialized type of critters and really shine when equiped well.
Pro: can shine with right gear and right person to fight.
Con: restrictions of LG, Sub class restrictions, only 2 slots to specialize in weapon prof,
--overall a pretty good choice, there sub classes can help with the frustrating spells that monsters do or cast on you (undead hunter is immune to level drain, caviler is immune to posion, etc), also nice mix of weapons and spells they get

Ranger: Pretty good with the straight ranger and the beast master (I could be wrong on this one, but he does sound pretty defense orinated, cast some animals up, put on the plate mail and gear, and use a wooden weapons to beat the tar out of the critter with your called animals)
Pro: Druid spells, good choice of weapons, racial enemy (which is either great if you pick a good one, or not so great if its against something that you didn't need to pick)
Con: 2 prof weapons slot again, good alignments only
overall a good choice for being the meat shield especially geared up and buffed up

Fighters: For tanking the straight fighter/berserker and wizard slayer are your good meat shields, your damage dealing is the kensai
Pro: hit points and proficiency, the sub classes get some nice advantages.
Con: Lack of spell casting ability
overall-- for damage taking the berserker is gonna be a bit better, then the warrior, then the wizard slayer, then the kensai, damage dealing would be kensai, berserker, and then fighter/wiz slayer.

Monks: Dang! At high levels there kicking, they become immune to non-magical attacks (20), there fist are like +3 weapons (15), and they start gaining magic resistance, and are immune to poison...missle deflection...stunning blow... wow! This is the sleeper class, it starts out slow but really rocks later on. Still, his hit points will be lower usualy than the one's above, so he may not be a great damage taker as say the beserker or fighter, but he can probably do it most of the time.

Overall, the one that fits your style and what you want them to be, is what you can shoot for. If you want to be the straight fighter with the kicking gear and potions, by all means it will work. Pretty much all of them will get the job done, and its your personal taste on what you would want to play. Do you want to be the bad arse kicking tail and chewing bubble gum? The in-tune kung fu fighting (everybody was kung fu fightin' http://www.tgeweb.com/ironworks/cgi-...es/rainfro.gif hiiiiya! crank up the 70's music and the platform shoes) with the monk who makes Bruce Lee look like a panzy. A noble palidin, a champion of nature, etc... It's your call.

Hope that helps.

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Drink and be merry http://www.tgeweb.com/images/forum/icons/beerchug.gif
Jimbo http://www.tgeweb.com/images/forum/icons/ninja1.gif
"Renegade, Rebel, and Rogue"

Thanks everyone,
I think i'm going to have to try a monk