New Player - Can't Decide! =(

[Sagittarian]

#0 - you can edit your post to bypass the 1000 character limit. Other responses to follow as an example.

1.) As of right now, My favorites (in order) are Monk, Marauder, Summoner, Archer, Lancer, Thief. I really think Monk and Archer are ones that I will level up first, but I would like some pros/cons from the classes listed above.

I am very indecisive and fear that hitting end game with some classes will make a much harder experience gearing/farming/progressing as if I were to level up a different class to max level first.

The only things that will make a harder experience is your skill with the class and the DF queue. The queue for any dps class will be longer so it will generally take longer to get into dungeons.
Class specific comments:

1. Monk - attacks are highly position dependent. Generally considered one of the hardest dps classes to play well.
2. Marauder - one of the tank classes. Good for DF but you will be expected to take the lead in all 4-person content.
3. Summoner - there is a big distinction between summoner and arcanist, but more on that later. Arcanist is one of the best solo classes while outside of dungeons.
4. Archer - very mobile and pretty easy. Limit break is healing, not damage. Also will be expected to know and use the bard songs for support post-30.
5. Lancer/Rogue - I think these are the most played dps classes. Dragoon rotations can get very complex. Ninjas have more options with mudra combinations.

2.) Is there a good resource that would guide me as to how to distribute my attributes per job? I know that Rogue/Ninja wants tons of Dex, but should I just put all of my attributes into DEX? Should all my Monk attributes go into STR? Is there a way to redo the allocation of the attributes on a job?

Generally just put all of your points into your main attribute. Arcanist can be the exception.

And yes, you can but an item from your grand company to reset your attribute points.

3.) Is Bard really fun to play in this game? I really feel a connection with Monk playing just like Monk did in FF11, but the other jobs not so much. I played a lot of Ranger and Bard in FF11, and I loved them both. Is this new Bard/Ranger hybrid a good feel of the ones from FF11?

Summoner feels like a mix between Summoner and Beastmaster from FF11. I really like this, but it's endgame issues I keep hearing about really detours me from wanting to progress him.. for now..

Bard - never played 11 but from what I hear, no. This bard is more support and less dps. Still fun to play though as you never need to stop moving.

Arcanist - So far you just have all the classes. When one of them gets to level 30 you can pick up a job. The jobs are the party-optimized versions of the classes and generally considered an upgrade. For almost all of the classes there is only 1 job available. The exception is Arcanist. The arcanist can pick up scholar (healing) and summoner (dps). This is why some arcanists split their attribute points between mind (scholar) and int (summoner). Currently black mage is preferred over summoner for the final coil of bahamut but that is the only end game issues I've seen. The summoner job is still contentious though because it isn't what some people feel it should be in terms of pet usage. Because of some of the arcanist abilities summoner can also act as support if needed.

4.) I have been playing less than a week and feel I have been progressing at a very good rate. I will dabble in the crafting portion of the game after a while. Is crafting a good way to generate income, or is farming drops of some kind better? I farmed Beastman Blood, Goobbue's, and Bee's for cash in FF11. Is there similar farms to do in this game?

Crafting can make a lot of money but to make the really high level stuff you will need to get all the crafting classes to 50. Most of those high level recipes also require drops, so farming is also viable.

I find crafting most useful for making stuff for myself and not having to buy it from the marketboard.

5.) Any other tips/advice you may think of is greatly appreciated!

DUCK!

6.) Bonus question: What is your favorite job to play, and why?

Summoner and bard because I like the support classes. Mainly summoner as I feel my dps is higher and I like having rez.