[4E] Build Suggestions?

[ashmanonar]

Well, mechanically many other classes can be similar to the cleric. For example, a warlord can provide healing by using their inspiring word power. Clerics do have some distinct powers of their own.

This.

Don't let yourself get fooled by the name of the class; 4e is not 3.5. You're best off forgetting everything you ever learned about 3.5, because often you'll find that your 3.5 experience will mislead you when playing 4e.

Pick a role, and a style of play. (by this I mean, do you want to be a front-line combat leader, a sinister shadowy arcane killer, a shapeshifting defender of nature?) These ideas will inform which class best fits.