Is it a good place to start?

Sure. Level dex instead of str if you want a physical build.

Probably the best starting point in the series, considering you don't have to deal with the "every three steps" encounter rate of nocturne and have a bunch of great streamlining fixes for fusion.

>>381100692
DEX is way better than STR, but be wary of going too hard into DEX if you want the game to be entertaining. After about 40 hours into the game, DEX build becomes blatantly overpowered to the point that you can kill most bosses in under five turns.

If you want to be a goddamn man go ahead and be a mage. You won't be able to bullshit the bosses.