My first 4th edition campaign

[Elric]

We have access to core books only , including ph2. I have heard that since healing surges exist , a cleric is not that useful. However i may be wrong.

Do you mean just PH-1 and PH-2?

Leader options are Cleric, Bard, Warlord, and Shaman. Leaders are very good and having a leader is quite valuable for a party. I'd recommend avoiding the Shaman if you're new to the game; it's a complicated class to play.

I happen to like the flavor of Warlords the most. As mentioned, you need to be pretty tactically oriented and to enjoy giving teammates attacks/buffs. If you want to play a Warlord, Tactical Warlords are probably preferred to Inspiring Warlords with just PH 1 & 2. If your Rogue is a Dex/Cha rogue (as opposed to Dex/Str) and you play a Warlord, make sure the Rogue picks up Melee Training (dexterity) fairly early (Warlords grant a lot of basic attacks, which normally require Strength).

It sounds to me like you've never been in a party with powergamers that prefer most of their encounters around L+6.

It sounds like my character could beat up your character.

 

[eriktheguy]

When in doubt, be a striker! Leaders, defenders and controllers can only contribute to a party if they are needed, but a striker adds more damage and is always useful. Just think, by killing monsters off faster, you are healing damage that hasn't even happened yet! It's like you're a striker, a cleric AND a time mage. You will be the only party member that can cast 'cure light wounds' into the future! Go with rogue, ranger or even a fighter (fighters are defenders, but can still dish out loads of damage). In addition to being useful, strikers are easy to play for a player new to the system.

 

[Piratecat]

Thanks for your ignorance.
I'll repeat myself now, won't I?
I play leaders. Healing is plan C. I heal on the rare occasions when we get multiply critted.

No. No, no, no. This sort of rudeness isn't appropriate for the site. If you ask for opinions, you'll surely get some you don't agree with; when that happens, suck it up, ignore them, and go on with constructive conversation. Insulting the person is a great way to get your thread shut down.

PM me if this is in the least bit unclear.