As with on any Role Playing Games, there are many different “ways” you can play the game, and the main thing that affects how you experience the game (other than your own actions) is what type of character you choose to play.
Your Basic Class Choices
Will you be a blunt-force melee warrior, slashing and slicing every foe that comes your way, wearing heavy armor that protects you well?
Will you become an expert with the bow and arrow, attacking from a distance so by the time your foe reaches you they’re nearly dead and a few swipes with your sword or axe will finish them off before they slice through your light Ranger’s armor?
Or will you delve into the realm of magic, casting powerful spells from afar but having an even bigger weakness if set upon physically by a foe with a melee weapon?
Basic Classes
Obviously, each of these selections have benefits and detriments to them for you as a player.
Personally, I always guide new players towards the Warrior-type classes, because hack-and-slash is the easiest type of character to play. There’s nothing advanced at all about bashing on a foe with a sword, axe or other such weapon, and the high Armor Class the class is able to use also makes dying less prevelant, which is preferable for new players.
On World of Warcraft, the “Warrior” class is the only one that matches this description. If you’re brand spanking new to Role Playing Games in general, I suggest you choose “Warrior” as your class. Once you get more advanced you can consider starting another character with a more advanced class.
Warriors are happiest being leaders in Parties, drawing the physical hits from the foes so the entire party can continue to attack without fear of the physically weak dying.
Advanced Classes
Advanced classes are ones that are the hardest to play at low levels, but they’re also ones that pay off VERY WELL at high levels.
Magic user classes are usually the hardest to get “off the ground” with because they’re physically weak and their spells are weak at low levels as well. In addition, it tends to cost money to buy the materials from which spells are cast, whereas Warrior, for example, requires nothing but to fight and equip what is dropped by foes.
Magic users are happiest being followers in Parties, and are generally far away from the physical action of the melee Warriors as they cast their spells on opponents.
On World of Warcraft, the following classes very likely fit into this “Advanced” category: Priest, Shaman, Mage
Intermediate Classes
Intermediate-level classes are in between the two other categories. These classes allow their students to wear more protective armor than the magic users are allowed to wear, but not as protective as the Warrior is allowed to. Also, while the preferred attack mechanism for Intermediate classes is usually similar to that of magic-users (that is, attacking from a distance), intermediate class players also have the ability to fight decently at close range should the occasion call for it.
Intermediate classes are often “scouts” for a party. With their stealthy movements and ability to “pull” foes toward a party for battle using their ranged weapons, it’s a perfect role for them.
On World of Warcraft, the following classes are Intermediate in level: Hunter and Rogue
Summary
Which class will you choose? Try them all out if you’re patient and have the time, otherwise choose the one that seems it would fit your level of RPGing expertise and playing style (advanced classes need more attention than beginner classes during battle itself) and give it a go!