I just decided to buy FO Tactics. I was a huuuuge fan of Final Fantasy Tactics and based on the reviews this game is similar in some ways.
I figured it's 6 bucks, I'm supporting a website I belive in, and worst case I only get an hour's enjoyment out of the game, which is cheaper than a movie ticket.
Any advice for a tactics newb would be appreciated, it's been a good ten years or so since I've played FF Tactics.
-Cym

Hmmm . . .
What I can suggest is a character who starts off specializing in the skills of small guns and sneak.
As for small guns, you will only have access to this category of firearms for a significant portion of the game and they remain useful for longer than that. At some point, you will almost be required to use energy weapons but there is something called a perk, this one named "Tag!", which will allow you to become skilled very quickly in one skill of your choice. Just save some skill points after leveling up if you do not specialize in energy weapons at character creation.
Sneaking will allow you to move about and get into position without taking fire. This is important for automatic fire weapons since they are useful only at fairly close range as well as long range weapons since snipers will often be covering a wide area by themselves. You could instead invest heavily in the Endurance attribute and just take a beating if that is more your style.

Thanks for the advice, I will keep it in mind when I start playing this one :D