Hello Erelenus
First of all welcome to AOU!
Coming to your topic... which basicly rotates around your question
Erelenus wrote:How does I not suck as a froob so I don't go nuts and leave for the millionth time?
I'll try to dodge the simple statement "become a (full) pay member to have it easier"...
It is of course a difference between being free account player and (full) paying member. The difference is smaller for the SL only subscriber, but still recognisable especially at higher levels.
At lower level, like your mentioned level 30, I wouldn't consider the difference huge enough to make you feel that bad. Most professions only gain little advantage by their first 3-4 SL perks and the common first 2 AI perks. For Soldiers, Fixer and Agents the whole part is different though since they can easily get their
Perennium weapon, those weapons give a somewhat huge advantage in the damage department.
However, the equipment of paying member usually isn't alot better than the stuff you have access to... unless we look at characters who have been twinked up to the teeth. Leveling characters often use the very same equipment free player have access to as well. Possibly they already gained one or two additional special attacks (perk attacks) with low level templates.
The difference you experience is - from my point of view - mostly based on the money they collected and likely transfered from higher level characters to their according low level. This gives them access to equipment only few starting player could get. If you would keep playing untill your character gets to .. lets say level 100, you could see what this transfer advantage means to your second new started character, your alt.
Of course with your first character you would feel the increasing difference between free and pay accounts during your progress.
Recommending classes is something basicly no one can do. While there are some classes that have an easier time, those might offer little fun to you... other classes may be tougher for you, but you may enjoy them more. In the end it boils down to what kind of gameplay you enjoy, without joy you would start another class or maybe even leave again.
Okay... think I have to get to the "how to not suck as froob". First of all you have to accept that you are at the start little less powerful and difference increasing the higher you get... as long as you stay free player. Most people I played with during the first 3-4 title levels have never blamed free player for being less powerful. Surprisingly often I have seen free player being even better team mates than full subscribers, simply because they learned the advantages and disadvantages of their class more, learned how to use their abilities & toolset to an extend some full subscriber don't bother about ...just to decrease the above mentioned difference.
Well... hopefully I haven't demotivated you by this reply... truth may hit like a rock, but it's your choice to make the best out of your situation. Personally I have never regretted to be a froob for a year after a break, reaching even 120-something as froob on one character... and now I'm back to being full subscriber. Also the learning curve is less steep for free accounter I believe.
hm... I better stop now... it's becoming a wall of text
In case you have further questions or maybe want to share your experiences, feel free to post again!
Regards
Nio