SE will farm faster and hit harder.. but you shoud go for a class that you like. I recommend you to go for a SE, much better farm and exp because of MP restore every 30 seconds
I have to correct some people above. If I am not wrong, best armors are Armor of Protection Robe/Heavy/light
All weapoonts count as A grade weaponts even Boss Weaponts like AQ Blunt, Baium Dagger, Orfen Sword, Cores Bow and all the Ice weaponts.