Best weapon type for freelancers?

[ProxyJames]

Is there a weapon type that best suits there strengths? Or should I go with whatever has the most damage? Also shield, no shield or dual wield?

[Sakhari]

Freelancers have a C rank in everything except Shields so no specific type has an inherent advantage over another. It's basically a toss-up between most damage or whatever the enemies you have the most trouble with in the area are weak to.

As for shield/no shield, I personally didn't bother with shields unless I needed a specific element-defense in a fight and I think the option with the highest attack power (without going overweight) is generally best since combat tends to be over quickly most of the time. But that's me. If you're plowing through the storyline with minimal leveling and barely scraping by in the average encounter, higher defense on at least one character might be a bit more useful.

[Peredur]

Best weapon is the one bringing the most stats. It's not like you will use the basic attack often anyway.
Dual wielding doesn't bring that much if you don't have the passive and there are better passives to use.
Shield is good for stats (defensive if you require them, offensive on some shields or simply for weight to use body slam).