Starting my first character, build recommendations?

The poison burst build is excellent. I also recommend Woolies Ice Werewolf Oracle build too.

Can't really go wrong with the Poison Pathfinder IMO.

I can't speak to the druid stuff as it didn't click with me. I felt like all the shapeshift stuff was a little too "on rails" for me on how the skills/combos interact. Not that they're bad, just doesn't excite *me* personally. That said, it's probably the best shapeshifting in an ARPG.

I league started this and had a great time with it: https://mobalytics.gg/poe-2/builds/ruetoo-tactician-mirage

This is by far the easiest campaign/early maps experience I've had since the early access started: https://mobalytics.gg/poe-2/builds/jungroan-infinite-burn-oil-grenade-incinerator

The "meta" is some flavor of CoC Blood Mage/Oracle. Can't go wrong with those.

Plants builds are fun for leveling too. https://maxroll.gg/poe2/build-guides/disciple-of-varashta-plant-build-guide

Despite the popularity of CoC Comet builds, the actual viable build variety is quite good at the moment.

POE2 is way more forgiving than POE1.

Considering you're a POE1 veteran, I'd recommend going in blind and just experimenting with skills that look interesting to you.

this season I (still) like my shattering palm monk. then I was excited about my galvanic shards mercenary, who was impressive easy to level and stands his ground in endgame. and finally, but totally bloated because I got absurdly rich, I built my current semi-bloodmage with coc/coea comet.

for a good start I would recommend galvanic shards tactician. this was really, really impressive to build on a low budget. the blood mage thing is tedious for a starter. you need to put a lot of currency on that one to make it shine. but when it shines... oh boy...

As a first char I was say Witch.

Easy laid back play style, Summon stuff using Spirit and let them do all the heavy lifting

Once you get more gear/orbs/mats you can get into Rangers and other things

Poisnburst is a great starter and will allow you to handle your ascendancy runs quite easily compared to many other skills including just about every melee skill.

I highly recommend voltaxic rift and some flat damage gloves to get you into mapping. If you like the play style, then you can invest in plague fingers and a high phys/crit bow.

And if you get to mapping with voltaxic rift and decide you don't particularly like the play style, that's fine because you A. Won't be heavily invested and B. Will have enough spare currency and items to make a second character so much faster.