Hmm I always like balanced... but I suppose it could be fun to just wear tanky armor and a sword and smash through things as well lol. most enemies are too fast for me to get the 1st hit in so smashing them sounds more fun anyway.
I like striking first and don't upgrade to slower weapons & heavier armor until base Agility is higher. Start with sword/cloth/helmet (free shield in the spider cave); switch to axe around lvl 10; switch to chain ~15; closed helmet ~20; and plate ~25. Pretty much never use the 2-H Sword or Great Axe, I like the shield's +1 Defense.
There is no "best" kitting out, every combo has its own pros and cons. Use what you like as long as you have at least a helmet, body armor, and a weapon. Except the pickaxe, that thing's a last resort weapon.
There's a few weapon/armor types I'd like to see added:
- Mace +3ATK, +0SPD, 300 coins
- Polearm +4ATK, +2SPD (long reach), 500 coins, no shield (halberd, glaive, naginata, ranseur, etc.)
- Morningstar +3ATK, +0SPD, target is -5% to Evade, 400 coins (the dwarf bandit has one)
- Large Shield +2DEF, -1SPD, 350 coins