I stopped playing my Barbsair when info about R8 swordsman came out. I just use that char for PvP and farming mats.
Since then, I started a sw3>rode>corsair which will become either a Fencer or Murmillo (it sucks to AA @ lvl 170…) and a hop2>corsair>doppel which will become a Dragoon. This one is close to lv 190 (I have many lv7 cards but I won’t use them all). Thing is: I really like CCs and fast hitting skills like Hexen Dropper so I can get in and out of fights (kiting).
Anyway, I’ll keep playing my Hopgoon for now. I don’t know anything about rank 9 but I know Hopgoon is better than Barbsair in PvE so it’s not all bad.
P.S.: I have started and deleted sw3>cata three times. How can you guys like playing on those “pets”? It feels so awkward…