whats the best path

Well i just started a new character, and i want to limit myself to two weapons. i did this with my main character; only using the hammer and LS (specifically for if i need a tail). i didnt do this on purpose, it just kinda ended up that by the time i reached high rank those two classes had the highest upgraded weapons so i just went with it.

the two weapons i want to try to use are the Lance (moderate experience) and the Swax or GS. i havent decided which one yet but i have 0 experience with the swax and only a bit more experience with the GS. so here are my questions.

Lance - is it like the SnS where i need one for each element / status or should i just focus on a couple? are there good LR and HR sets for evade or guard lances or am i just boned till i get to G rank? with my hammer i use HR Barioth armor right now, with the attack/defence and guard boost it seems like it would be a good set if you can slot guard up

swax - same elem / status question. whats the deal with phials?

GS - ok i know if i use the swax i basically have a GS as well but just from messing around ive notticed the GS have huge raw damage similar to the Hammer, but they also tend to have high elem / status numbers. should you make multiple elements for them or just go for best raw / sharpness like with a hammer?

and i guess the final question, for each class what are the weapons i should aim for having (besides dios)
thanks a ton

tl:dr - what are the best Lance, Swax, GS and why? and what path should i take from a fresh character?

You need elemental appropriate lances

Ceadeed Switch Axe

You need elemental GS

You're not gonna get Ceadeed swaxe until the end of low rank, and elemental lances and GS are hard to get in the beginning, so I'd suggest you start off with a high raw GS and a high raw Lance until you have access to elemental ones. You can check the wikia for paths.

thanks for the info