Characters that I found very useful as a newer player are:
Ben Breeg Eddie,
Van Helsing Eddie,
Grim Reaper Eddie,
Sentinel Icarus,
Assassin Trickster,
Magus Chopper,
Assassin Musashi,
Gunner The Prisoner

And my absolute favourite early character that's fairly easy to get, the Sentinel War Dog with Brave talisman set if possible.

Unfortunately there are a lot of 5 star toons in that list and I was lucky to get some of them early on but if you take care and try to compliment one character with skills from another you should find your feet quite quickly.