Character tips

Characters require a combination of 3 things: Combat utility, Out of combat utility, Backstory

Combat utility:
Some basic concepts for combat utility is to pick a main stat and build your weapons and skills around it. Below are what weapons and skills work well with each stat to make various types of builds

Tank: Protect allies by taking hits without taking much damage or dying
One handed weapon + Shield

Charisma + taunt is a good addition, defensive strength skills are useful

Skirmisher: Waste opponents turns while not taking or dealing much damage
One handed weapon + Open Hand

High Damage DPS: Deal heavy damage with a single strike, but are weak to ranged attacks
Two handed melee weapon

Consistent DPS: Attack multiple times and land multiple hits which don't deal significant damage
Dual Wield One handed weapons

Tank: Become very hard to hit while still remaining a big enough threat to be a target
Two handed Polearm, or one handed agility weapon + sheild, rapier is powerful

Stealth: Sneak up on enemies for high damage on surprise attacks, or position to backstab in battle
One handed dagger, utility one handed weapon

Trickster : Use skills to make it easier to hit enemies and harder to hit yourself. Negate enemies skills
Polearms, rapiers, daggers

Leadership: Increase allies strength using gang up and leadership, while staying in the fray
One handed ranged weapon/shield + one handed flexible/slash

Buff Allies: Make allies significantly stronger but at the cost of your own strength
Instrument if bard, otherwise 2 handed ranged weapon

DPS : Your attacks deal extra damage and apply bonus effects.
Two handed weapons (Melee or ranged)

Focus : Gain massive bonuses to attack and defense using focus until you take damage
Any weapons

Utility: Use intelligence skills to counter enemies builds and bolster allies
Any weapons

Melee DPS: Deal highly varying damage at the cost of your own defense.
Polearm, Two handed Axe

Ranged High damage DPS : Make strong single target attacks, but have to deal with reload
Rifle or Crossbow

Ranged consistent DPS: Deal damage constantly, and against multiple enemies.
Bow

Ranged Skirmisher: Whittle down enemies while remaining defended yourself
Shield + one handed crossbow / pistol

Melee Spellcaster: Cast spells in melee while attacking with other weapons
1 handed focus + any 1 handed weapon or sheild

Healer: Heal allies who are wounded, otherwise use buffs or debuffs
2 handed focus, shield + 1 handed melee weapon

Ranged DPS: Cast high damage spells or frequent medium damage spells, apply effects
2 handed focus

Utility: Apply devastating status effects and powerful buffs to allies which change the course of battle
2 handed focus, 1 handed focus + any 1 handed weapon or shield