So I think I’ve decided on Dragoon as my class for OBT,but have so far only played Wizard branch in both tests so I don’t know too much about swordsman and what is good to have for a Dragoon build.Please share your knowledge with me!
I’m hoping for a balanced character that is good both solo and in parties,otherwise I’m pretty open to suggestions.
@Gunnr kindly shared this build with me,your thoughts?
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i actually go swordmanC2 hopliteC2 corsairC2 dragoon in KTOS.
Can I ask why corsair?
I was thinking of doing a similar build and my main problem was the fact that Finestra 5 doesn’t sound so appealing, and with the lack of Pierce attribute and without Spear Lunge, I opted for give up Cataphract C3.
I don’t know Cataphract enough to say if it’s worth taking only C2, but if I end up doing this character will be something like this
i have no knowledge on swordsman tree, but i could gladly theorycraft with you <3
i made that build some time ago:
highlander for the crossguard, doubling piercing dmg
then hoplite for finestra and stabbing (with doubled hits from high)
and i love throwing things, that 0 CD spear throw is a beautifull thing
and i have no idea if spear lunge would stack with crossguard, but sounds like something that would get piercing dmg to a very high standard
1 circle in cataphract for mounting, mobility equals everything
and dragoon <3
Almost same like my build, but im going shinobi instead of dragoon.
check this out, this girl uses highlander c2 hop c2 doppel and dragoon and its great
youtube.com/watch?v=XpLvL3Clu80
I’m planning to make a build just like that but as most people say it’s better to have 1 circle in Peltasta.
I still do not agree with having at least 1 circle In peltasta, for what reason? The skill is only usable if u have shield. Most dragoon user will be going for 2 Hand spear in my opinion for more decent damage, Going peltasta is a waste.
Your excuse is cause its a defensive class and so that you can tank better? Wrong. Ignore all those who think peltasta is mandatory to stay relevant. Swordsman damage can stay relevant and will stay relevant as they are bruisers (Tanky dps) no matter what you pick (they have 3 times more hp than wizard and around 2.4 times more hp than an archer just for existing no con invested)
So I’m really against going Peltasta if youre going dragoon. The skill is useless later on. Thinking you going peltasta only for the HP growth is unlikely.
Either go Swordman C2 or Highlander once. But it is better get Highlander C2 for Skyliner as sustain dps since cartar strokes becomes useless once you get to cataphract since it dismounts you.
But going Highlander C2 you will have to make your hoplite C1 only, so the last decision is base on you, C2 Swordman C2 Hoplite C2 Cata and Dragoon/ C1 Swordman C2 Highlander C1 Hoplite C2 Cata/ C1 Swordman C1 Highlander C2 Hoplite C2 Cata @Melon
As someone who didn’t go Peltasta on my last swordie in favor of a more “pure DPS” centric build ( one of my main regrets ), I’d say that taking it is a really good idea. Since the game is mostly centered around doing missions and dungeons now, a single rank in Peltasta is incredibly useful. I often felt that I didn’t have a true role in parties as a swordsman because I didn’t have a rank in Peltasta, and noticed how much easier dungeon runs went when we had someone that did take a rank in it. So definitely keep it 
The taunt will always be useful in parties, and since you have the mobility of a cataphract, you will have an easy time moving mobs around. Also the knockback attribute on umbo blow is very nice in PvP. Having the ability to block during boss fights to avoid getting knocked down ( while pain barrier is on cooldown ) so that you can effectively move the boss around is really helpful as well. Bosses just relentlessly spam knockdowns now, and being able to control a boss for your party is invaluable.
This build is pretty standard, and it works very well. Especially with the recent buffs to cata, going cata3 is a pretty solid choice now. I would move some of the points around a bit though.
For Peltasta you definitely want max Swash Buckling as it’s your MvP skill, and you only want Guardian level 1 for the evasion attribute ( +18% evasion ), as the more you level Guardian, the more attack you lose ( the +defense tradeoff is poor ).
On Cataphract I would really figure out a way to get max Rush instead of taking 3 points in it. You could take 1 point out of Trot and Doom Spike, or 2 points out of Trot. Some people don’t even take Steed Charge too. Up to you.
Usable if you have subweapons such as : Shield, Dagger.
They go Peltasta c1 for utility in dungeons and Earth Tower.
And with Peltasta c1, at least they can help their party in Earth Tower.
DPS Archer and Swordsman completely outdamage Dragoon in terms of damage. So far I haven’t seen any single party that finished Earth Tower without Swordsman without Peltasta c1 in it.
1 Swordsman with Peltasta, 1 support Cleric, 1 DPS Wizard, 1 CC Wizard, and 1 DPS Archer or another Wizard is the most popular combination at the moment. Almost nobody wants to take Swordsman without Peltasta because they always expect a Swordsman to be able to control the aggro (except if you are playing with a friend ofc, and extremely inefficient).
But I can see your point about using 2h spear. That’s where the weapon swap comes in.
@Melon That build of yours is more PvP oriented. I have no problem for the skills distribution except Swashbuckling only at level 2. Max it out and take some points from Rim Blow.
If you want to maximize your DPS in PvE while tanking at the same time, then you can also go for :
Sword>Pelt>High>High>Hop>Hop>Dragoon (2h spear full DPS build, 1h spear-shield to tank)
I played a bit on KToS OBT, i have 2 swordie for testing purpose.
My first swordie is Swordie > Pelt 1 > Hop 1 > Hop 2
My second swordie is Swordie > Highlander C1 > Highlander C 2 > Hop 1
IMO my first swordie is rather hard to level than my second swordie on early level, but arround level 100 the boss are getting harder to kill with my second swordie.
Highlander’s skills aren’t as amazing as early level and boss’s attack hit me pretty hard. Lots of bosses immune to bleeding, so no more crosscut + sky liner combo. Cartar stroke have long cast, boss will knock you first.
And when grinding, i prefer to swashbuckling first then stabbing…it feels better if you know what i mean 
Lastly, i believe any swordie better have lv 5 pain barrier.
there is no specific reason,it is just a compromise different build. u can have any builds u like and this is the most interesting thing of TOS!!
but i can tell u some merits of having coesair C2,
having corsair is okay for for Dragoon build, but hearing u said Dust devil for the reason? No. Dust devil damage is not really worth it, Jolly roger Hook and Hauling is acceptable in case for PVP.
Im feeling
Sword > Sword2 > Hop > Hop2> Hop3 > Dopple >Goon
But im planning on pvpings.
go mainstream dragoon.
sword>pels>hop3>dople>dragoon
a lot of people will use this build for a good reason
well, what i mean it is that the dust devil can provide some control on the monsters, as dust devil can spin the monster on hit, which makes them unable to attack anyone. and it is actually quite useful sometime.
@Melon This looks like a standard common build, but I agree there’s a strong reason to go for this build. Spear Throw from Hop c3 is really good for your source of damage especially in grinding and stuff. Who doesn’t love spammable AoE?
However, the animation is slightly slower than Skyliner, and you need to aim it (easier with a mouse), and you need to make sure you cast it around your character (so you can pick up the spear quickly), so there will be delay. But it’s worth it IMO.
Is there no way to be a PvPing swordsman in this game without using Cata/Corsair atm?