RE: taildragger vs tri gear
If you want to come in faster, the tail will be higher when the mains touch down. For Example, if you have a longer runway, or are landing in a cross wind.
A three point landing happens when you are going as slowly as possible. Slower than that, and the tail wheel will hit first. If the mains are long enough, the speed for a three point landing could be the same as stall speed. Check out a full size from Poland called a Wilga. It is a single engine *bush plane*, designed for short field landing. Not only are the LG longer, they are pretty well shock mounted.
I generally shoot for a three point landing. . . because it's there.