Best Stat Growth?

[trees]

I just started a new game, and I have two soldiers without paths. I'm on my way to Urodela, and I'm pursuing Path A. So I have Alphonse on the way for a swordmaster, one soldier on the way to being Deneb, another on the way to being to Siren, etc. Sooo, while I'm deciding, which beginners class has better stat growth than a soldier? Also class suggestions would be nice, too.

I haven't played this game since 2003, when I was 10... so that's why I'm asking.

[Knight of Lodis]

Check out the website since the classes section lists the stat growth. I will tell you ninjas and knights have decently good stat growth early on as well as Valkyries.

[trees]

Thanks mate.
One more question... how many knights should I have in the beginning of the game? They're slow, and I don't want to slow the battle down, but they also have the highest hand-to-hand attack power available [for me]. I currently have three knights, and two more that can be knights.

[Knight of Lodis]

I had Ivanna and 1 other as knights. You will switch people in and out of classes after a few levels. Since most people use story characters, more than 2 knights is not necessary.