There's a lot of different ways that that could go. It all depends upon how you use each of the different classes. Swordmasters have a few long ranged attacks. Fighters have more powerful skills, but few ranged attacks. Crane Spiritualists have have a lot of debuffs and bleeding damage techniques. It's all a matter of personal prefrence.
Crane Spiritualists have have a lot of debuffs and bleeding damage techniques.
Turtle is the one that likes to DoT. Crane is for burst damage. But yeah, the debuffs are great.
As for pvp, I don't think any of these classes are better than the other. It depends on the player and his environment. But from what I see on arena rankings and WMAT finals, Spiritualists and Dragon Clans hold the top positions in pvp.
Its easy,swordmaster....it has been proved many times.I play on server which is most populated then any other.Winners of senior budokais are swordmasters.there is no arguing about that.Sure crane can do a lot of ****,but all swordi needs is one critikal and its all finished.When he turns on kaio ken its almost impossible to beat him.Only class that has any chances is crane and by that i mean if he sucseed to stop him befote this guy stops him.But its impossible because crane must use his dots in order to win,any other way is stupid.
And there is no arguing about this since i saw it all.