How to build characters as a new player

[chandralara]

Hello,
I’m still fairly new to the game and have been enjoying it a lot, but I rarely make it very far—mostly because I’m not confident in how to build my characters. I usually prioritize the two main stats for a class along with some Constitution, and I tend to max out skills, but I’m not sure if that’s the best approach. Are there any beginner-friendly guides that explain the fundamentals of character building without just handing me a specific build to copy?
Also, how much has the game evolved over time? A lot of the guides I’ve found are several years old, so I’m unsure how reliable or relevant they are now.