[IfritnoItazura]

Well, I didn't know any better one way or another, and soloed WHM to Lv.11 with poles without getting KO'ed once. The damage output of a low level WHM is unimpressive with any weapon, and if one target EPs and DCs, the monsters' damage is also fairly moderate. So, it's not worth much debating.

Pick a weapon type, then make sure one uses a weapon reasonable for the level. Eat meat (Meat Jerky, Grilled Hare, whatever). Go outside, use FoV, bash down some critters. Check each critter before fighting it; I'd stick mostly to Easy Prey and Decent Challenges. Definitely avoid fighting Tough, Very Tough, and Incredibly Tough monsters.

[Malacite]

I wouldn't even touch even matches as a WHM.

I'm assuming this is a new character altogether so you can't take advantage of the unparalleled awesomeness that is /PUP from 1-10.

[Firewind]

I solo'd WHM from 1-14 with a Club and Shield with no problem. To be completely honest I preferred the extra damage reduction from the shield. White Mages have no native parry skill and their evasion is a mighty E rank meaning that your defence while wielding a pole is basically non existent thanks to only being able to use clothing as armour at that level.

WHMs get a native shield skill and having a size 2 shield right off the bat is very nice. You also have to consider that the topic creator doesn't have their subjob meaning that they won't have access to the stat bonuses and abilities one would give. Using a club and shield might just give him/her the extra bit of defence to keep them alive for one extra fight.

[Armando]

I think there are merits to both approaches. I generally agree with Icemage in the sense that it's better to default to more offence, for the reasons he stated. I just wanted to clarify the bit about the shields; it's pretty important to know, especially if you end up duoing for whatever reason and start preying more on DCs/EMs than EPs. I also agree with him in that SCH and BLMs may as well just use a pole, there's barely any point in using a club if its DPS is going to be awful.

[Malacite]

WHM and PLD are the only jobs who have any business using a Club anyway (excluding K Club)

[Armando]

PLD doesn't have any business with clubs either unless it's KC. Shitty DPS weapons + no Hexa Strike + no Spirit Taker = use a Kinkobo if you want blunt damage and spam Spirit Taker to offset the extra damage taken.

If we had gotten Perdu Wand it might've been a different story.

[Cane]

Hey I just want to say this thread is very helpful. I leveled my red mage, and I died so many times in the beginning. But I followed your advice on to use up your mp with all the meh attacks, and my white mage hasn't died yet ^^. Actually I leveled it up to 7 in a hr & a half. And all i had is its basic gear and a pole. It was pretty sweet.