a good char?

anyone have any tip as what i should be as far as first and second pros? I want to be strong and to be able to help out alot. I dont want a char that is a "help from afar" i hear that a warrior is prety good but i want to use swords and sumone told me that all they have for sword skills was sever arty and gash are there more skills that are better with warriors? also wat about monks as a first pro they any good?

Monks are fun... as long as you can handle a bit of multi-tasking and dont mind not being involved in battle (unless you're going smiting), but, that would be considered helping from afar, because normally, you'll try to stay out of aggro range. (ok, I do anyway)