I have to disagree. I take a gnome. I run the borderland slayer area first in hardcore (bring a healer hireling). This gives you lots of needed loot like ff item and ingots for elemental weapons (not to mention a horse). At level 1 start with maximize and with second enhancement point get that amazing SLA in bombadier. All enhancements to bombadier. Make sure you use fox cunning pots (you can also buy element buffing pots but I dont). I cycle thru multiple (up to three) elements vial tossing at closest targets (literally as fast as I can press the buttons). Only apply meta magic to SLA. Stay in Pyrite reaction. You will melt everything you encounter at very low spell point cost. For long range targets you can throw three potions in the air and all will land on head of target (killing pretty much anything even possibly bosses) before they move. I personally mix in a healing admixture (full meta) and toss it when needed (which is rarely).
I run through to hit all the bosses. With a horse I run directly to boss and fight. At second level, I go do korthos, then come back to borderlands to run the 1's there. I solo it all on elite. Cannith crystral was only quest that caused me issues and had to run twice. Targets just melt to the machine gun like barrage of vials of elemental damage. Leveling occurs very fast. Once you hit 3rd level you can get even more fancy with spell and or defense buffs.