Frist experiance with MMORPG, but avid RPG fan. I have been thinking about what kind of character would be best for him to learn game mechanics, any build suggestions?

Paladin Pre-made template (you get more starting skill points) or any other warrior class.

I agree get a paladin but make sure to make character first w/ 50 healing so he can work that as well. He can go to almost any spawn and he can jump to PvP later on. The only real question is wep usage i would say swords and get him a soulseeker, then let him run free.

hehe, thats exactly how i started, a Paladin template who was given a soul seeker by his guild.

I'll agree with what's been said and recommend the paladin pre-made template. I'll go further and recommend that he create a second character as soon as he finishes his paladin noob quest. This second character should be a blacksmith using the pre-made smith template, this also has a good quest attached to it and will teach him the basics of smithing, mining, tinkering, BODs, and travel by moongate/navigation to another city (Minoc).

It would also be a good idea for him to look at the new player guide at uo.com, it is much better than it used to be. It is also important for you as a friend to warn him about player scams and PK's that try to persuade him to go to Felucca.

Yeah I myself started as a Tamer which is a hard if you've never played UO b4, Warrior/Paladins are the best to start out as, and shortly after I agree with Rhus, they'll want to make a crafter if for nothing else but to do your own armor repairs and such .

If you dont know anyone, Paladin. If you can get hooked up with a LRC suit, mage.

If you like to roleplay, 50 Begging, 50 taste id. You'll get a wicked gnarled staff!!

Also, something I remind anyone making a new char, once they start, right away start a group with their desired skills, and arrow down everything they dont want, so they dont do what I ended up doing and having 15 skills toggled all over the place. I didnt want med/focus on my pali, but it built up and then had to arrow it down. Now with soulstones its easy to flush them, but not everyone has one to use. Just a thought..

bo is right - turn down every skill you don't want

and I agree - paladin warrior ftw although I would suggest fencing as a weapon skill since more weapons are readily available for fencing, including that beautiful starting newb dagger

but isnt the pali starting char automatically started with swds? I didnt know there was an option to choose your weapon type..That would be nice if it did that tho

Yea it starts automatically with swords, but you get some noobish sword weapon to start with as well

Yah, but dont you get some kind of decent slayer weapon after doing the haven pali quest? I have heard of the double slayers coming from there. I am sure they are not the best in the world, but its probably not a bad start, getting a slayer or 2 to get you on your way..