With any class you should skip weapons and fighting until you get broken weapons
Take Melee for instance
You want to trash your Copper Shortsword and avoid fights until you get Mace
The knockback and versatility of the weapon is worth more than the damage
Avoid fights. Tunnel and box and just go straight for life crystals
Ranged is the only class where the starting weapon actually does something
Magic and Summoner are the same: dodge until you get weapon
Once you get weapon, go straight for usual progression.
Ignore everything that is a Non-Projectile Sword or Lance. They are worthless unless you play in Normal. Ignore Boomerang, Flamarang, Thorn Chakram, Ench. Boomerang, Bananarang. Light Disc and Possessed Hatchet are the only decent boomerangs. Ignore Molten Fury - Hellwing is vastly superior. The first non-sword non-lance weapon you get is enough for Mech Bosses - use it to do one and get the Hallowed Weapon and your favorite Soul (Melee: Might, Ranged: Bars, Magic/Summoner: Sight).
Ignore every Chlorophyte weapon except Chlorophyte Lance and maybe Repeater. Ignore the armor.