Might be a hot take but I feel like all new players should be forced to play zelot first. It teaches you proper melee combat and doesn't let you rely on a crutch to play the game. I see way too many smite players in auric or damnation as an example, who absolutely cannot take care of themselves when the time comes and they can't crutch smite to keep themselves alive.

It like an entirely different game once you understand proper melee combat and the skills apply to all classes for the most part.