Noob questions

[Jinx]

I been playing this for a coupla weeks now & have a few average 'keep-up' chars that suck come lvl 20 except a 40/60 str/int sword/protector dude. He's lvl 22 now scrubbing around DH for useful quests, he only gets ganked by red mobs or thieves & has killed those same lvl players dumb enough to take him on.

Questions:

This char has 20 lightning, should he stick with lightning at 20 & try max out fire or go pure lightning?

He also has enough ice to have a level of weak shield, I'm guessing any more is a waste, am I right?

He has 300 spare sp, where would a lvl 22 go for effective farming, and is farming still a good option?

If I ever get him to lvl 60 focusing on int from now on, will he be any good, or should I scrap his ass right now?