Newbie/starter questions on Venomancers

Hi,

I've read the stickies as well as a lot of the threads in the forum, but I'm still feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed regarding some aspects. I'm going to have to keep on reading and learning, but I'll get there I'm sure.

I'm new to PW, created a Veno and got the char to level 5.. and enjoying it quite a bit. decided I want to restart and do things a bit "better" - I was only on for like 1 hour, so it's no sweat to redo.

So without further ado, here's my questions:

1. Character creation/customization

Is the only way to get the special ears and/or tails via the preset's? I looked through all the options in the customization screen and could not find any entries to change the ears or tails..so was wondering if I wanted them with a particular look.. would I have to pick the preset with the ear/tail combo I wanted and then adjust the character from there?

2. Starter Pet

While I realize that starting levle 6?7? Veno's can tame new pets, I feel a bit lost when it comes to the initial training choice between the wolfling and the scorpion..

From what I've read from the stats.. the Scorpion is an overall better pet for dps/tanking? than the wolfling. Basically looking for a nice starter pet for someone who wants to be able to quest and grind solo (not worried about instances at all right now..)

From what I've read come level 10?11? it's likely better to go tame some other pet.. umm can't remember the name, something stalker? or something like that..

Or because of the fact it's better? to get another pet at level 10 or so.. that it doesn't matter which of the 2 starter pets you get?

3. Magic Weapons

Are these basically stat sticks for veno's who use their spells & pets and doesn't melee? Thus would it be better to go for weapons with higher magic atatck?

So say there is a choice between:

a) high physical attack but low magic attack
b) around equal/same physical and magic attack
c) low physical attack but high magic attack

Would a veno be better off with a, b or c?

Just wondering if I should pay much attention to the physical attack stat, or just grab whatever magic weapon has best stats as well as highest magic attack stat?

4. Armor types / Stat allocation

I've read the stickies.. and I'm still confused... lolz What would work for a veno looking for solo ability and survivibility?

Would it be better to go for robes.. as these have the least str/dex requirements.. which means you could spend more points in vit for more health - so keep magic 3* your level for magic weapons, make sure str/dex is at base for weapons and armor.. and rest goes in vit. This would likely give high hp ****.. but also gives the lowest physical defense... but also gives highest magical defense.

If your having your pet tank and get and keep (hopefully?) aggro.. does the physical/magical defenses issue count?

Or better to go for the medium of the road (in starter armor terms.. "leather armor") light armor? It's a middle of the road between physical and magical defenses.. so averages better out.. but also has higher str/dex stat allocations needed, which means less vit.. and thus less hp. so while your mdef & pdef are more averaged, you'll also have lower hp..

for someone playing solo, questing and grinding.. what would be easier and better? (ie for a novice/newbie at the game just learning the in's and outs...)

5. Pet web site?

Just curious, but is there a site which easily lists/displays all the available pets in PW? i ask because I have played a hunter in WoW before.. and there is a site there which shows all tameable pets, where to get them, their skills.. and was wondering if there is the same here.

I know there's a database site (forgotten the name or link to it).. but it requires you to know the name of the animal/creature/npc your looking up.. and there is a site which compares stats @ lvl 90 & 100.. but it also doesn't list all pets or pet types..

Well, thats all I can think of right now.
Thanx in advance to any help that can be provided