A few questions from a newbie

[Vega]

Thanks for all the great info everyone!

[Greythan]

The primary factor for me was diversity. I knew I wanted options at level 80 in terms of classes, so I rolled a team of different classes. I recently leveled up a druid and my priest is now a solo toon (to get her 2 frost badges each day). So, I can take my pally tank into a raid, can play healer with my druid/shaman, or bring one to 5 dps to a raid (druid/priest dual specc'ed balance/shadow respectively).

I'd say this, however. If your primary and near sole goal is to solo five box.... I'd go pally and shaman x4. The synergy and learning curve is certainly easier than a mixed group.

[crowdx]

Just an update, I dinged my shammy team and did my first heroic boss with them last night, first boss in Gun. When I dinged my first mixed team I did have problems with him but with the new shammy team they had absolutely no issue downing him, this is probably a combination of experience and shammies just having a few more tricks to throw out there.