If you are just starting out, as Stryc said, don't be afraid to get away from flat bench, but I would always maintain a flat bench exercise, even if its just a fly movement.
Also if your new to lifting, I would initially stick to the basic movements and learn not only good form, but learn to feel your muscles. This is actually very important, you should be able to tell if you are putting too much emphasis on one side more than the other, whether they are hurting from being pushed to the max, or because you have truly damaged them and need to fall back.
I truly believe(experience from watching and working out with others) that there are probably more people who have absolutely no idea how to be in tune with there body, and never learn how to isolate there muscles properly.
So that said, again I would stick for a couple months on basic movements. i.e. Barbell Flat Bench, Incline Barbell Bench, Decline Barbell Press, and Flat dumbell flyes.....I would initially go a little lighter, so that you can do slower reps, and learn to recognize and isolate your muscles....slowly add weight, if you don't feel like you can control the muscles, then you probably are going to heavy. and after a couple months, then add on other exercises to the mix.
Make sure you do this for all body parts....not just chest....I cannot emphasize enough the importance of learning your body, your muscles and how to isolate them properly...this will not only help you make good gains, in strength as well as looks, but it will help you frominjuring yourself, and THAT my friend is the most important thing.
One other thing, what helped me to learn to isolate my chest muscles for example, and I still do sometimes, is the Smith Machine, some don't like it, and I don't use it as a replacement for incline or flat, but it can help you isolate your chest and learn to feel your muscles.
Hope this helps you, there are a lot of good people on this board, as well as some that aren't, but in general ignore the flamers and shittalkers and pay attention to those truly willing to help. Bottom line is we are all here to learn.
good luck
p.s. I would initially start with no more that 3 sets of each exercise using a weight that you can handle for 8 to 12 reps, then after you get it down and start going heavier, then adjust the sets and reps to what your body reacts and responds to.
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