Dude, a +4 armour is equal to 15gp of Hide armour and the carapace has worse penalties.

I said melee centric because they're packing two natural weapons that aren't just a gimmick so its a solid option. Out of everything, they'd probably make good monks, rangers, clerics or psionic warriors, plus the obvious barbarian and fighter.

Is reducing their starting gold a viable thing? It's not like they really need much. Bow and a shield, maybe a spear and they'd be golden...