good races for/against newbies.

[Turin]

If you are happy with that Jotunheim style, I´d use a e9n9 earth mother. Niefel giants with that bless are hard to counter if you aren´t familiar with the magic system.

But unmodded dominions is really all about magic, so the best counter would be a witty magic approach yourself.

Play Caelum if you want a really powerful race.