What do you guys recommend league wise for someone just starting out? I see a new one drops today, but would standard be best for someone whose looking to take their time and understand the game?

the new league basically is Standard + a league specific mechanic

So if you plan to drop some time into the game, leveling and building up one or multiple characters, you may as well start in the new league, because your learning curve remains the same, simply dont pay too much attention to the new synthesis league mechanic until you understand the basics of the game, after that its nice to have this content additionally!

also after 3 months your synthesis characters will be transferred to standard league and a new league will begin.

Just play new league mate, its like choosing between d2 ladder or non ladder
New league has new stuff in it and you can completely avoid it if you want, majority of community will be in the new league as well and economy is getting reset so you might as well earn some fg while playing
You can learn the game in new league just as much as you would on standard

also vote for new league, and sc at that. hc can be very frustrating and when ur starting a game, you dont want frustration. also standard leagues wont do because its a ghost town and in poe you kinda need to have someone to talk to and trade with

well actually standard is quite active the whole time throughout, theyre just too shy/embarassed to show themselves in public

but i do agree, try to start in the new league, tons of ppl to talk and play with. avoid hc because you WILL die. and hc actually is a ghost town after a few weeks.

Good deal - new league it is. Thanks everyone

Softcore is great for practising for the hardcore league.
It's like you go out drinking and start with beer, then slowly work your way to shots.

Ghost town in standard is trading, shit is dead but chat room still alive.