1.What weapon should I use? I currently have a +3 claymore and have no buffer/healer for poleing
2.Is there any skill I should avoid?
3.Whats a good place to level at 20?
The claymore should suffice - can also use a blunt if you want to stun since you don't have heals.
If you want to save cash for later - try hunting in spots like in the mallie lizard barracks, the mobs are 1/2 hp and drop pots. XP kinda low but the kill rate should be high. If not there try windmill hill.
As for skills - normally have an abundance of SP so I wouldn't worry too much about wasting it yet.
vicious stance isnt worth the SP, but i got it anyways. and by the time i got to 76 i had died enough times to get all my new skills, so SP management shouldnt really be a concern... get every overhit you can. and have fun ^^
Vicious Stance can be useful for poling at higher levels. The mana consumption is way too high to ever use it continuously.
In general, get all the skills. I have personally never used a blunt on my Raider/Destroyer, so I never got any stun skills. IMO, stun is really only useful for PvP, for a Destroyer.
Use the +3 claymore. I have a lower raider (actually a new lvl 22 on another server too) and that is a fine solo weapon.
Remember you get 2 sword skills that will augment attacks. You also should go ahead and train the pole skills as they are available (you get 15 shadow weapon coupons--and though the pole available isn't great, it's good enough....I think it has a patk of 64 or something). At least you can use a pole and not have to pay for one.
I've skipped the 'stun' (blunt skills) since I intend to use only the two-handed claymore and a pole at times.
I'll say this about the raider, had I leveled one first I would never have leveled a human close-order melee toon!
Fun to play, nearly indestructible PvE at lower levels (even with substandard armor) and with a claymore it's a PvE wreaking machine. Certainly able to solo NOS and Heretics large rooms at the proper levels.
My highest is only 41 but it was so fast to 40 that I was surprised. I wasn't worried about leveling a new main, though. I simply wanted to try the class and take it through the academy for crp.