Try WAY more that just a good beginner job

[Slayerz]

Being a War is ALOT harder as a beginner than people assume. First off a WAR is a Tank, not a damage dealer or anything, but a tank. Therefore, it is essential that a war know how to hold a mosters aggro, which means learning how to provoke properly. Also, wars need to have the best armor, like a pld, a wars job is to take damage, so only the best armor will do, and it can be very expensive to keep buying armor. so before lvl 5 it is an easy ass job, but from 5 to 20ish, it can be difficult if its your first ffxi job ever. If u want a very fun easy starting job, i think the best option is mnk. u dont need anything for a few lvls, just go out and punch crap, dont really need to worry about having the best armor, and everyone always wants the best weapon possible, so its a naturally awesome starting job:D

[Ikonic]

As for MNK being a good starting job. Yes, it is, but no you can't neglect armor. As a MNK lvl'ing solo you need the best gear. You will have more HP than most any other job, but you will also have less defense than other jobs. MNKs are known for hitting, but not always being hit. As a soloist you have to be hit as well, therefore having good gear is a must. MNKs also solo very well up to lvl 14 or so. As a MNK focus on weapon, enhancing gear, defending gear, in that order. Never get a piece of gear just because it has 3 more def when there is another piece that gives +ACC or +ATT or +DEX, or the like.