new to the game

[Pretty B0y]

i bought tf2 recently and was wondering what class is the easiest to start with that will give me the greatest chance of being successful at this game

[Baltika (#9)]

soldier

[SConforti]

Heavy.  Point and shooot.

[Smurfette]

I started gaming for the first time EVER back in Feb. I had no gaming experience whatsoever other than pac-man or duck hunt (god I feel old).  When we got my computer at tax time, Smurf also got me TF2.  I started out as heavy.  It is the easiest class to play.  If someone like me can learn to play as a heavy with no experience at all, I'm sure someone like you who has the experience will be able to pick it up in no time.  Join us in game tonight if you want and we will be happy to help you out!   

[Luggage]

Since you are CS player, you'll do fine with all classes except scout, spy and demo to begin with

I find medic good to start with because you are forced into the action right away (keeping it fun) and learn how to play different classes well by observing others.  From there soldier and heavy are good offensive classes to try since they are simple point and shoot classes with extra health so you should survive longer.

[Baltika (#9)]

I said soldier before, and I stick by that...

I think that Heavy is frustrating until you know the maps because you move so slow...easy target for snipers and spies.  Until you're used to it, the spin up time on the gun sucks.

While I agree that Medic lets you get into the "action", the lack of offensive firepower may be frustrating, and people might expect you to know what you're doing when you get an uber charge.  And it's a thankless job sometimes.
If you're thinking about medic, consider the pyro instead.  Pyro and medic have about the same speed, and the added firepower you get with the pyro is gratifying - plus you can spy check.

While the soldier is slower than most classes, he's not as slow as the heavy.  He's got good long range attack with the rocket launcher.  He's got decent point blank with the shotgun.  He's got the ability to get to some interesting parts of the maps with the rocket jump.  The only drawbacks that I find for the soldier is his speed, and the reload time with his small clip for the rocket launcher.

The three classes that I would suggest to AVOID to start with are:
*spy - you've really got to have a feel for what you're doing.  knowing the maps, and the common strategies will help when you want to play this class.
*sniper - unless you're just gifted with the scope.  if you want to try it, try to avoid "learning" while there are already 2 snipers on the team, since, imho, 3 snipers is too many.  and if Video Master is playing, you don't want to try to snipe against him, and you're wasting your time trying to get kills when he's on your team.
*engineer - until you know the maps, and the good SG locations, and how to get there....

[Pretty B0y]

alright thanks i will have to try out those suggestions however it won't be till next week as i am going to be spending this weekend at the lake.  thanks again

[Hitman Smurf]

Since you are CS player, you'll do fine with all classes except scout, spy and demo to begin with

Since you have FPS experience you shouldn't have to many problems, except with the classes listed by Luggage. Pyro, Heavy, Soldier and Medic are the easiest to pick up.

[DiscoStan]

Soldier might be tough to get the hang of, since you need to know about movement prediction since the rockets take time to hit the target. Pyro is the easiest, IMO: you can run around and get a few kills in before dying, all while you learn about the mechanics of the game.

[LTK]

Soldier might be tough to get the hang of, since you need to know about movement prediction since the rockets take time to hit the target. Pyro is the easiest, IMO: you can run around and get a few kills in before dying, all while you learn about the mechanics of the game.

I agree with Disco. Avoid Demo initially, its probably the most difficult class to master.

[Hitman Smurf]

Soldier might be tough to get the hang of, since you need to know about movement prediction since the rockets take time to hit the target. Pyro is the easiest, IMO: you can run around and get a few kills in before dying, all while you learn about the mechanics of the game.

I agree with Disco. Avoid SPY initially, its probably the most difficult class to master.

Fixed that for you 

Cannot access offset of type string on string