Making new chars in

If I buy factions, and combine it with my prophecies account, can I start a new character in Factions, skipping prophecies all together?

yes, u can choose to make a faction or prophecies character

yes you can as rits and assassins can only be made there. they have a pre area there but it is faster (as per leveling up and getting to the level 20 stuff)

Asassin's & Ritualist's can only be made in Faction's - although they will be able to travel to Tyria if you also own Prophecies and it's linked to the Faction's account.

Also note you can create the 6 core classes in Faction's as well - If you create the 6 core classes in Faction's you'll have different face/hair option's at startup as well as starting with different skinned armor... you will also only get "core" & Faction skills I believe.

Does anyone know if you create 1 of the 6 core classes in Faction's will you be able to learn "Tyria" only skills of those classes in Cantha? Or will you have to go to Tyria to learn them?

Tyria only skills will not be in Factions. Factions only has Factions only and core skills.

Tyria only has Tyria only and core skills.