I’m currently own a sm3hop3 swordman and aiming for dragoon. Would you suggest any reset ? a dragoon c1 as filler then go for lancer c2 or just going for dragoon c3 ? Also how’s your stat distribution. I’m new here 
it depends on your playstyle, meta, non meta , or the meta ish because what really matters is your gears and a decent class.
dragoon isn’t that bad. it is going to get buff soon with multi hit buff and the intense balance changes to hop, cata and dragoon.
but if you want meta( the community thinks its meta because they say its OP but in reality it really depends on gears and investment not only that but also a target for balance changes mostly nerf) probably has to be involving with shinobi builds with a mixture of pelt, hop, rod, dopel , highlander and swordies.
I’m not a Spear specialist, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
If you really want to play Spears, the simple way of looking is as follows:
1-Want to do max damage possible on PvE? Dragoon3 build
2-Want to do a nice PvP or just wanted to play mounted PvE? Cataphract3 with Lancer2 build
Cataphract will (or already had, did not check) receive pretty nice buffs that will make Lancer2 beautiful.
The Sword3Hop3 is a better base for PvE Dragoon3 I would say.
Go dragoon and farm since youre new. Lancer is frowned upon in PVE because it is sh1t, you only see them in saalus farming cubes like alchemist 3 or squire 3. Might as well put some dopple in your build because of DPE - Dragoon fall combo in HG or rank 9 mats farming. You can net high amount of silver from selling in-demand rank 9 mats. If youre geared enough like trans 5+ you may want to farm 25f or 30f of solmiki as DPS dragoon. Then you can just reset back into Lancer when the update comes here because you maybe want Lancer PVP. You may need at least 8k+ magic defense in order to not die from very popular Shadowmancer in TBL, most of them have trans 10 weapon.
I see alot sw3>Hop3>Dragoon3 Builds this days.
But well whats the point on this Build?
Sw1 Filler
Pelt1 more Blockrate + swash + more Hp with Swash its Realy nice to have 90k Hp.
Hop3 Finestra 15 Highcrit+ high Blockrate You have murm like Blockrate in the end.
Dont skill Spear throw its a garbage skill at engame and you have way better skills for aoe in the end.
Spear longue not much to say about it.
Doppel C1.
Dov 5 13% more Dmg.
Double Pay earn Double drop realy nice to use before Dragonfall get many 2x orange drop in the Hg 340 so far.
Cyclone Serpentine then Cyclone you can even use Gae before for 8% more Dmg it cleans fast with Serpentine debuff.
https://tos.neet.tv/skill-planner#1134449fff.253555.15223543.2d3f4f5171.153555.1821354f5a7581
1h Spear> 2h Spear
2h spear makes you very squishy.
With 1h spear + shield you have 1 gem slot more.
1h spear + shield make you almost immune to phy knock downs and physical atacks too.
You can use Swash without anoying switches.
Dragonfall will hit dmg cap pretty easy.
It feels wasted to go Hop c3 and throw away the highest blockrate ingame >.>
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I main a cataphract which I seasonally swap between dragoon and lancer. I have been through most of the game contents with these two classes; world boss, GVG, PVP, ET, WB TBL. Some inisghts I can share
Dragoon
- PVP and PVE
- can use both 1H and 2H spears
- easier to use,
- ranged and melee, can be mounted or unmounted
- utilities are good both in PVP and PVE and is more offensive inclined (gae bulg, serpentine)
- shorter cooldowns and more skill rotations
- skills have long and flashy animations
- stat distribution is harder in PVP, since you need to utilize STR, CON, and DEX. While full STR in PVE, minor accuracy and block penetration requirement is covered by gears.
- have ugly helmet
Lancer
- PVP ONLY, but can be used as filler on squire builds
- 2H spear ONLY
- harder to use,
- strict melee and strictly mounted
- have more utilites but most are significant in PVP only (joust, prevention, initiate, unhoursing)
- longer cooldowns and lesser skill rotations
- skills have long delay and clunky animation
- stat distribution is easier in PVP, since you only need STR and CON (initiate buff covers DEX necessity). While full STR otherwise.
