[Shodo]

Banded Mail, 5/55's, Sword of Skyfire, Baton of Faith & a cheap shield would be a good way to start. Sword and board 1-20, then while grouping or fighting casters (for bash). Use the baton 20+ while soloing or if your group needs the damage more than some extra shield AC.

Also, depending on race, don't worry about buying bronze - it's extremely heavy for not a huge boost to AC, so unless you're a dwarf (#1 best pallies!) you'll just be encumbered most of the time without strength gear. If you take the unrest/mistmoore leveling path, you can pick up small bronze (dwarf/high elf), bloodstained mantle, diamondine earrings and an HBC (with a little luck).