John Franczyk wrote: And a couple more questions:
(1) What character classes are considered easier or harder to master?
This really depends on the person. Some people find memorization difficult, so any of the casting classes are hard for them. Some people have trouble sliding, so any sliding class is difficult.
Monks have to slide their attacks in a particular way, one token then the second with the same hand before the first has stopped moving.
Rogue chests take a steady hand to open.
John Franczyk wrote: (2) Are there character classes that are considered more/less powerful than others?
Rangers and Monks have the highest damage potential, since they slide two weapons (and get to apply their damage bonus twice).
Barbarians specialized in two-handed weapon can deal a large amount of damage.
Wizards can deal a large amount of damage to multiple targets at once, which tends to only be useful in True Grind.
Druids are very versatile, having both damage dealing spells and healing spells. They can also polymorph and deal melee damage.
Clerics are the best healers, and most parties need once.
Bards are a force multiplier, adding the the damage total of the whole party. (+2 attack, +4 damage to each attack by the party)
Rogues deal low damage, but offer an unique ability to the party since they can open the clue chests found in the dungeons. They also get bonus loot (for themselves) from those chests that no other class gets. (Druids with a specific item can open 1 of the 3 chests found in the dungeon.)
Paladins help to guard the parties weakest member, helping to keep them alive.
A two-handed weapon wielding Fighter tends to do less damage than the barbarian, but they are more accurate.