When does a PCP make sense for a new shooter?

A PCP makes sense when you want the best accuracy, low recoil, and many shots per fill, and you are willing to invest in a fill source like a hand pump, scuba tank, or compressor.

PCPs dominate competition and serious airgun hunting because the shot cycle is dead-still and most modern PCPs are regulated for shot-to-shot consistency. The downsides are higher entry cost and the extra equipment to put air into the gun. If you only want to shoot once in a while in the backyard, a break barrel or CO2 gun is simpler.