Coming from a newb who just started, I would agree with the fatigue. I got jumped a few times by a roaming red con at level 1-2 (shit happens), but sitting on the sidelines for 5 mins was a bit too long since the newbie zone is so close to your initial bind location. The first time I died I didn't know you were completely incapable of battle with the fatigue...so having some "consequence" at a very early stage is helpful.
2 mins til level 4 or 5 seems fair. After that you need to roam out a bit further from the city and you should have a grasp of the basics by then.
