Roles, followed by classes that apply to each. Some classes have secondary roles, allowing them to fill in for others if necessary, and also providing a little more utility to the group in many cases. I've also included key ability scores for each. After the roles section, I've listed the races and ability scores for which they get bonuses, in case you want to match up your race with your class.


Controller [Crowd Control, AoE]
=======================
Wizard (PH1) <INT, WIS, DEX>
Druid (PH2, secondary role: Leader or Striker) <WIS, DEX, CON>
Invoker (PH2, secondary role: Leader or Striker) <WIS, CON, INT>
Psion (PH3) <INT, CHA, WIS>
Seeker (PH3, secondary role: Defender or Striker) <WIS, STR, DEX>

=======================
Defender [Tank]
=======================
Fighter (PH1) <STR, DEX, WIS, CON>
Paladin (PH1) <STR, CHA, WIS>
Warden (PH2, secondary role: Controller or Striker) <STR, CON, WIS>
Battlemind (PH3, secondary role: Controller or Striker) <CON, WIS, CHA>

=======================
Leader [Healer, Group Utility]
=======================
Cleric (PH1) <WIS, STR, CHA>
Warlord (PH1) <STR, INT, CHA>
Bard (PH2, secondary role: Controller) <CHA, INT, CON>
Shaman (PH2, secondary role: Defender or Striker) <WIS, CON, INT>
Ardent (PH3, secondary role: Defender or Striker) <CHA, CON, WIS>
Runepriest (PH3, secondary role: Defender or Controller) <STR, CON, WIS>

=======================
Striker [DPS]
=======================
Ranger (PH1) <STR, DEX, WIS>
Rogue (PH1) <STR, DEX, CHA>
Warlock (PH1) <CHA, CON, INT>
Avenger (PH2, secondary role: Controller) <WIS, DEX, INT>
Barbarian (PH2, secondary role: Defender or Leader) <STR, CON, CHA>
Sorcerer (PH2, secondary role: Controller) <CHA, DEX, STR>
Monk (PH3, secondary role: Controller) <DEX, STR, WIS>


+++++++++++++++++++++++
RACES
+++++++++++++++++++++++
PH1:
Dragonborn - STR, CHA
Dwarf - CON, WIS
Eladrin - DEX, INT
Elf - DEX, WIS
Half-Elf - CON, CHA
Halfling - DEX, CHA
Human - Any single ability score
Tiefling - INT, CHA

PH2:
Deva - INT, WIS
Gnome - INT, CHA
Goliath - STR, CON
Half-Orc - STR, DEX
Shifter - STR, WIS or DEX, WIS

PH3:
Githzerai - WIS, either DEX or INT
Minotaur - STR, either CON or WIS
Shardmind - INT, either WIS or CHA
Wilden - WIS, either CON or DEX

Mikey's first idea that we threw together was a Longtooth Shifter Battle Cleric (Leader/Striker, PH1) romping through the town with a SCYTHE! Yeah. Pretty bad ass.

Also, wish these ones weren't so expensive:

14032: Corm, Ghostmane Shaman

Edit: I know if I go with the Runepriest, the team will have two healers, but I think that will be just fine. I'm feeling like healing is king in this game, based on its design. I think I will be able to tank with the Runepriest since Mike will be right next to me dealing damage and healing up close with the Cleric. We'll do some tests to see how they work with each other if people are concerned that I might not go with the straight-up defender.

-- Edited by Monk on Tuesday 31st of August 2010 04:57:42 PM

Think I'm going to go with the monk. (not the mOnk) Haven't decided on a race between human, elf, halfling, gith, or, interestly, half-orc. Oddly, I have an easier time picturing a half-orc monk than a shifter.