Let's discuss Dragoons in PVP

[ShinigamiB06]

This is my first time doing pvp in an MMO and im super into it. And I want to get better. So I wanted to open discussion about all the different strategies used in PVP. More specifically, I'd like to focus on what skills you use, the order in which you use them, and when to use them.

As to what skills I use, well, it's basically most of them.

The order in which I use my skills basically goes: DoTs, ranged attacks (if possible full thrust combo), and at 50% health jumps to close gap and burst damage.

Here is probably my biggest reason for creating this thread: the when to use certain skills. What strategy do you guys use? Do you aim to deal as much damage right out the gate, or do you wait for the target to use certain skills and wait for an opening?

[Raenryong]

In a very general sense, you want to create enough sustained damage to require a response from the enemy healer, and burst to kill (or severely threaten). You don't want to use burst skills aimlessly.

[LongNu]

I actually made a thread over here that highlights some points of what you're getting at. As far as rotation etc goes, DS/CT Combo has been the biggest pressure dealer. Jumps are crucial. Not just for closing the gap but for straight on piling damage. Setting up burst should be coordinated with your team. You need to know if you're okay to go. IE: When you're getting targeted is a bad time to pop BfB or when you're alone with no chance of actually executing a target. More than likely, it depends on the comp.

For example, SMN / DRG, the DRG should wait until SMN has some uptime on a target (doesn't have to be the same target) to connect burst on another (or the same one)
Whereas a BRD and DRG can simply go HAM right away
Knowing when to use your burst is more a matter of coordinating with your team than the class itself

The general combos you want to use are
ID / DS / CT
TT / VT / FT

Using HT
HT is not a priority in PvP. It's only a 'when you can', then get it. Going out of your way for flanking a target is unrealistic and time consuming.

Knowing when to use Jumps
Connect Jumps through your combos. This is what gives DRG burst strength in PvP. For example, you want to connect an off-GCD between your long attack anims, like FT combos. Using a jump right after DS is also a great way of connect burst. Filter them through.

Gap Closers
You have 3 Gap closers. Sometimes you can use more than one to stay on a target, but another viable way to stay on a target is SPRINT + ENLIVEN (or Invigorate)

Dot Importance?
High. Higher than your combos to be honest. Why? Because it adds more debuffs that the enemy has to worry about. That is why CT combo is the strongest combo we have in our arsenal. It's not necessarily for the damage, but added debuffs. PhB and Fracture should be applied ASAP and whenever possible.

Strategies
We honestly need time to give more definitive strats. It's too early to place the writing in the stone. One thing is for certain, however. DRG has excellent caster lockout power. We are great against SMN, BLM and WHM. Hopping on these targets mean you are actively shutting them down. So in a general sense, these targets, especially SMN should be priority.

Defensives
Keen Flurry, Second Wind and Blood Bath should be your standard choices. SW for some burst healing, KF for 80% parry. Please be careful when using BfB as it makes you vulnerable. However, DRGs can kite. Heck, DRGS can probably kite better than most of the classes in the game. Why? Elusive Jump and Sprint. People targeting you are wasting their time, unless they for sure have you locked down. If you cannot be CC'd then it is not difficult to simply 'flip away' and or use sprint.

Hope this helped, I'll do some more updates soon.

[Gooner_iBluAirJGR]

Quick Dragoon PvP Strat (1min Video)
I usually like to stick myself on a squish target and try and kill them OR give the healer a reason to stop
healing themselves so the team can kill them.

Impulse Rush is a great way to get heavy thrust active when your ready to blow someones face up AND
its off the GCD!!!

The impulse drive combo is pretty easy to get off on a running target. Works great for getting Disembowel/Chaos Thrust up on casters / healers.