We're playing 5e on an old setting called Mystara using a really old Forgotten Realms module. The DM is keeping it quite vanilla in keeping with the Mystara setting. I'm going to be playing a human rogue, other players haven't decided yet. One of the things I like about the campaign is he's keeping some of the choices narrow which for a complete newbie like me should help.
How funny. My first ever character was a human rogue too.
I avoided magic because it was just too much to learn for me.
My biggest error was playing it too much like a computer game. I looked forward to the battles and not the role play.
With a rogue you don't have to do much role play of you're new and can watch other people. I found that useful. There's less admin and things to remember (except sneak attack.. Really important).
As you can see I've done a 180. Playing a bard!
I was always intrigued by a bard. But was too scared to commit to a campaign. So tried her in a one shot and absolutely love her. Not sure if the party will though. I was concerned I'd get bored in battles. But leiriana was a bit of a bombshell in the one shot. As events transpired she nearly caused the mission to fail. (basically she got mind controlled and party tried to save her.. But she saw it as being attacked so she used her own spells against her team.. I'll say this.. Hypnotic pattern on a college of eloquence bard is strong!
In the big battle she had nearly every enemy incapacitated. She knows sleep and hypnotic pattern (level 5 one shot). Enough said.
I love reading about items and spells now. I love all the little details. Doing the back story. It was all so hard early days. But more you play easier it gets.
Hope your group is good. I've played with some terrible and amazing groups. Obviously it changes the game completely!