barb sucks at welling because of low int
guardian is not ideal because of low dexterity, but way more viable than barb.

if you go fighter you want high ee weapon, ee armor (not robes,) and high stat charm. ee heal in the acc slot. stat intelligence so you have a mana pool.

The added dex helps with both increasing your crits as well as lowering critical damage you take. I would say it's more expensive to well hybrid than it is casting

you need to go hybrid if you plan to well higher level items. it's near impossible to pure melee a well monster at higher levels. like I said, it's more expensive on a hybrid char than it is on a mage.

i am fortunate to have some decent hybrid stuff, so i'm capable of welling melee.