I'm thinking about starting Hardcore. (I have played a little on Softcore, but I have no friends there, with my new guild I could play with them more often)

However, I have a few questions. I'm not a complete "noob", but I'm not used to this either.
I read a couple of guides, but I was more looking for personal/popular opinions and thoughts.
I would be really thankful for you guys to guide me in the best "slashing" path possible.

1) If I want to start at 0 on Hardcore, what would you suggest me to start with? Melee axe barbarian, a caster/healer or another class I might've not thought of?
My objectives: I will probably being slashing alone most of the time as I can't really keep up in catacombs when I'm busy helping in the Scammer Accusation forum, but my guild mates slash as well, so maybe from time to time, I could join their party. I'm looking for something pretty versatile.

2) Would there be a way to achieve #1, while having a character being able to well items properly.
It seems like all the characters I have made turned into a disaster when it was time to well something.

3) Is it true Ladder Slasher can be a decent way of making forum gold off items you find? o_o
I've heard about that, but personally never really found anything good. I must say I haven't slashed a lot, though.

Well that's about it. Thanks if you actually spent the time reading this wall of text and I'd love to hear about your thoughts.
Thanks again.

1) Since you are slashing alone most of the time, i would advise going with a mage, the thing about mages are they are awesome solo characters, and they can also join catacombs and heal.
- Start off by stating vitality to 50 (seems like a little much, but trust me, it is needed)
- I'd advise meleeing to level 15-20 as it will be faster than casting
Try to get a hold of items like this
Tier III: 45+ EE Staff/dagger
Tier IV: 50+ EE Staff/dagger
Tier V: 55+ EE Staff/Dagger
Tier VI: 60+ EE Staff/Dagger
(Note that staves are going to be much cheaper than daggers)
As for armors and charms, try to get a level 0 robe with max life, and a level 0 charm with max life.
At level 5 you can switch one of them out for + str and keep upgrading that every 5 levels.

Once you reach level 20, get a staff/dagger with as much int as you can for that level, along with a robe. Get a decent ee charm and a decent ee heal (keep upgrading these every 5 - 10 levels)

Once your vitality is at 50, pump the remaining points into intelligence

2) if you get a hold of some decent gear, this character should be able to do wells, it might not be super easy, but it should be do able (the more life helps when welling so a nasty crit can't 1 shot you)

3) Ladder slasher has the potential to make a ton of fg, but due to some recent changes it makes it harder.
Of course there is fg to be made in LS, but it really is all about luck.

Ooh, thank you very much for taking your time to help me out. ^^

if you already have a guild that slashs and slashes fairly well, then ask for them to help if you do not have up to par gear. so you can get better without losing a profit.