Yet another new person with a question...

[Knai]

I wouldn't say that, its still useful enough, there just aren't enough people posting. To rectify that.

I would consider early age Arcocephale a good way to learn. They have some magic variety, but more importantly high troop variety. Even things like Wind Riders, which are horribly overpriced, work wonders against the AI, and one can play around with infantry, massed slingers (sure, archers are better, but massing slingers on turn 1 can make an army nasty), chariots, and the aforementioned Wind Rider without even getting into the magic system. Once they do get into the magic system, they get a smattering of everything but death and blood, with very nice air and nature, both of which are easy paths to understand.