I was thinkin bout this since I am a sword-gunner hybrid. Here is my play style.
I play LD a lot and my bane there are hammer spammers and toothpicks (that are used properly)
In PVE I charge spam with my brandish lines a lot.
I play JK a lot
I don't want to be usin mainstream crud.
I know how to live with statuses inflicted on metrust me.
"I know how to live with statuses inflicted on metrust me."
That sums up my main objection against getting Chaos set. Go for it in PvE, it's especially good for brandish charge spam and hybrids.
Not sure about using that in LD though, there is no useful stat beside the offensive ones.
Just want to point out one thing...
"I don't want to be usin mainstream crud."
The reason why things are used a lot, especially in LD, is because they work and they work better than most other alternatives. If you reject things like full Skolver, more often than not you'll be at a handicap. It wont be impossible, but don't expect invincibility.
If you going hybrid gunner, then why not bring a bit of Nameless or Shadowsun? If you want the defense, then Divine Veil would be best (As well as Shock resistance), for neither toothpicks nor hammers deal normal damage. However, when I see someone wearing a divine veil in LD, I don't see someone with equal protection against all attacks, I see someone who has less defense against toothpicks. The reason why people have a variety of damage types, like GFs and Hammers, is so they can go around whatever defensive bonuses people may have. Going equal defense against all attacks just leaves you lower than average against everything. Better to forsake defense for offense, with the exception of status vulnerabilities. Being vulnerable to something like shock in LD is a recipe for death, especially if you meet a bomber.
For PvE, depends on how good you know you are. I've met someone who goes into UFSC with Chaos Set and Swifty while spamming Blitz charges. Get some practice in tier 3, then decide how much you need defense.
Chaos set is wonderful if not for Haze bombs. If you're unlucky enough to get shocked or frozen, you're done for. I used to think statuses weren't a big deal but then every status lasted forever and did so much...
I do advise using it though, the CTR bonus is wonderful and it's a great choice for hybrids. Defense can kiss a Gremlin.