Community Samurai Guide

From FFXI Wiki
Samurai.jpg



General Information

Available after completing the quest Forge Your Destiny, the Samurai (SAM) job focuses on the mastery of weapon skills and skillchains. Samurai excel at the use of Weapon Skills due to their ability to rapidly gain Tactical Points and use them to their advantage. Their mainstay weapon is the Great Katana, but they also have respectable skill in Polearms and Archery.


"Take this mumeito. This blade was forged fer ya. Pledge your life t'her an' she won't let ya down." - Gilgamesh


Roles

Warriors from the East. Demon Killers. Samurai are experts in wielding the Great Katana and manipulating Tactical Points, allowing the player to unleash a flurry of skills on their enemies quicker than any other class in Vana'diel. A Samurai's primary and most effective role is dealing high frequencies of damage. Samurai's versatility lies in the ability to output high bursts of damage with various abilities and traits that enable them to use Weapon Skills more frequently than any other job.

Abilities and Traits

Job Traits


The following table only lists the Job Traits of a level 99 Samurai and their effects at that level alphabetically. For more information about these Job Traits (e. g. its tiers, if any and the respective level the ability/tier is granted), are linked to their BG Wiki pages.

Job Traits
Resist Blind 30% chance of fully resisting blind.
Store TP +30 Store TP at level 99, merits add 2 each (for a total of +10).
Zanshin 50% rate at level 99, merits add 1% rate (for a total of +5%).
Demon Killer 10% intimidation rate against Demons.
Ikishoten +30 base TP (before Store TP) to Zanshin per merit level (for a total of 150).
Overwhelm +5% Weapon Skill Damage for the first three merit levels, and +2% for the subsequent levels (Total: +19%).
Skillchain Bonus Skillchain damage bonus. Grants +16% at level 98.

These Job Traits define Samurai's base capabilities: a fast TP-generating front-line job with enough bonuses to deal massive weapon skill and Skillchain damage.


Gifts from Job Points

Gift Cumulative Bonus
Capacity Point Bonus 320%
Physical Defense Bonus 70
Physical Attack Bonus 70
Physical Evasion Bonus 43
Physical Accuracy Bonus 36
Magic Evasion Bonus 36
Magic Accuracy Bonus 36
"Zanshin" Effect Bonus 10%
Hasso and Seigan Effect Increases Maximum Zanshin effects by 10%
Skillchain Bonus 6% Skillchain Bonus
Superior 1 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 1 (Su1)
Superior 2 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 2 (Su2)
Superior 3 Enables the player to equip items marked as Superior 3 (Su3)
Store TP Effect 8% Store TP
Third Eye Effect Increases the number of evasions from Third Eye by 1

★Master! Grants the designation "Master Mononofu."

Decreases the recast time of one-hour abilities by 15 minutes.


Job Abilities

Samurai job abilities revolve two different concepts: Primarily, there are two major abilities that affect the samurai's damage output or survival -- Hasso and Seigan respectively. These two share a timer, so only one may be active at a time.

  • Hasso increases your damage [boosts STR, accuracy and Job Ability haste] at the cost of your cast and recast timers (+50%).
  • Seigan affects how Third Eye works, reducing its recast timer to 30 seconds, and granting it multiple 'shadows' (similar to utsusemi) and the ability to counter enemy attacks, but also increases cast and recast timers (+50%).

The rest of your abilities are then focused on increasing your offensive attributes.

  • Warding Circle grants you +15% for: damage against demons, resistance against demons, and some degree of Demon Killer.
  • Meditate grants you a passive 200 TP/tick generation, for a total of 1000 TP gain (can be increased by gear).
  • Sekkanoki makes your next Weaponskill consume only 1000 TP. Weaponskills used with Sekkanoki active will only count as 1000TP potency (also affected by gear).
  • Konzen-ittai "readies your enemy for a skillchain". What this means is, it will treat the enemy as if it has been hit by a weaponskill once, and the next weaponskill will trigger a skillchain.
  • Shikikoyo is the first of your merited abilities. It will grant any TP above 1000TP that the Samurai has, and transfer it over to another player. Example scenario is listed in the corresponding page.
  • Blade Bash is an attack that deals no damage, but has a chance to stun the enemy and inflict plague.
  • Sengikori grants a bonus to skillchain damage if used on an opening weaponskill; otherwise will grant bonus magic burst damage if used on a closing weaponskill.
  • Hamanoha is specifically for demons, and will debuff them with -20 accuracy, evasion, magic accuracy, magic evasion and Store TP.
  • Hagakure grants your next WS with 400 Save TP and 1000 TP Bonus.

Merits

Group I Effect
Third Eye Recast Shorten recast time by 2 seconds per merit level each. 1 minute recast (30 second recast with Seigan active).
Warding Circle Recast Shorten recast time by 10 seconds per merit level. 5 minute recast.
Store TP Effect Increases the amount TP returned by 2 TP per merit level.
Meditate Recast Shorten recast time by 6 seconds per merit level. 3 minute recast.
Zanshin Attack Rate Increases Zanshin attack rate by 1 percent per merit level.

Samurai's group I merits are recommended to be:

Note: STP is a must. SAM relies heavily on large amounts of STP to have ideal "x-hit" builds. Other alternatives may seem attractive, but aren't as potentially beneficial. With the currently available gear, Zanshin Attack rate is considered your priority. Alternatively, could put some points into meditate recast.


Group II Effect
Shikikoyo Share TP above 1000 with a party member. 5 minute recast.
Blade Bash Delivers an attack that can stun the target and occasionally causes Plague. 3 minute recast.
Ikishoten Adds 30 base TP (before Store TP) to Zanshin per merit level.
Overwhelm Gives +5% Weapon Skill Damage for the first three merit levels, and +2% for the subsequent merit levels.

The group II merits are recommended to be:

Note: Overwhelm is a must. That said, Ikishoten can allow some leeway for Shikikoyo and Blade Bash. Shikikoyo's effect can be useful for pre-fight prep for your fellow DD, Blade Bash can potentially inflict plague and/or stun. It's not a bad idea to have one point on each, but not necessary. Up to you.

Support Jobs

Based on your play style and/or the Content you're participating in, along with what REMA you're using, Support Jobs may vary:

  • Dragoon is the endgame subjob ever since they added the WS Damage Boost trait starting at lv.45 for that job, being a free +7% WSD for SAM. The jump abilities are also excellent hate management in a tight spot as well as extra dmg/tp. Smite and Conserve TP are also nice.
  • Warrior is usually the go-to option for DPS otherwise, due to abilities such as Berserk and Warcry, as well as the extra Double Attack traits.
  • Dark Knight is an alternative option, but doesn't see much use due to readily-available buffs from support party members hitting capped attack scenarios.
  • Ninja is your ideal alternative for survivability if you have to depend on shadows. Suffice to say, if you're using Hasso/Seigan, make sure to have a decent Fast Cast/Utsusemi set.
  • Rune Fencer is your ideal alternative for survivability if you have to depend on mitigating elemental damage and shadows aren't an option.

Weapons

Samurai, generally, will exclusively use Great Katana, and occasionally, Polearm. In terms of options, players will generally seek out Ultimate Weapons (or as they're more commonly known, REMA). This is a list of potential options.

Great Katanas

Amanomurakumo (Level 119 III) icon.png Amanomurakumo (Level 119 III):

  • This is the Samurai Relic Weapon.
  • This weapon grants the user the weaponskill Tachi: Kaiten and gives 40% increase in damage when used (at 119-III).
  • Hidden Effect: Does 2.5x Damage on the first swing of an attack round 16% of the time (will not proc on multi-attack hits).
  • High accuracy can make this situationally useful.
  • Aftermath grants Store TP+10 and Zanshin+10 for its duration.
  • Afterglow gives an Accuracy/Ranged Accuracy boost (+15) to party members.
  • Additional Effect: Attack Down has a 10% chance to proc on melee hits and can overwrite itself.

Kogarasumaru (Level 119 III) icon.png Kogarasumaru (Level 119 III) :

  • This is the Samurai Mythic Weapon.
  • This weapon grants the user the weaponskill Tachi: Rana and gives 30% increase in damage when used (at 119-III).
  • Aftermath grants a different effect based on amount of TP. Level 1 grants accuracy for 1.5 minutes, level 2 grants attack for 2 minutes, and level 3 grants Occ. Attacks Twice (40%) or Thrice (20%) for 3 minutes.
  • Afterglow gives an Attack/Ranged Attack boost (+15).
  • "Enhances Third Eye effect V" provides the following:
  1. Increases anticipation rate about 15%.
  2. Increases the rate of counters by 25%.

Masamune (Level 119 III) icon.png Masamune (Level 119 III):

  • This is the Samurai Empyrean Weapon.
  • This weapon grants the user the weaponskill Tachi: Fudo.
  • Aftermath grants varying degrees of triple damage rate, for different durations, depending on amount of TP. Level 1 grants 30% rate for 60 seconds, level 2 grants 40% rate for 120 seconds and level 3 grants 50% rate for 180 seconds.
  • Afterglow grants a Critical Hit Rate boost (+5%).

Dojikiri Yasutsuna icon.png Dojikiri Yasutsuna:

  • This is the Samurai Aeonic Weapon.
  • Allows the user to perform an Ultimate Skillchain.
  • This weapon grants the user the Merit Point weaponskill Tachi: Shoha at full "Rank 5" strength with no merit points invested.
  • Aftermath grants Skillchain and Magic Burst potency increase, and varies by the amount of TP the user has. More details at Aeonic Aftermath page.

In summary:

  • In terms of REMA, the preferred alternatives are Masamune and Dojikiri. These two weapons edge each other out in terms of DPS depending on the activity and battle conditions.
  • Amano and Koga aren't recommended as often as a result, for particular reasons:
    • Amano provides good accuracy, and is useful for situations where you need that extra push. The damage is solid, and Kaiten is a good weaponskill. The aftermath isn't awful, but it's not great, especially in an era where so much STP gear exists. As such, it is at best considered "adequate".Verification Needed
    • Koga used to be considered the best of its kind, but due to the flourishing of multi-attack gear (QA, TA, DA), the aftermath effect that made it stand out is now far less noticeable. The Third Eye effect isn't particularly amazing (it's nice to have, but that's it). Rana is an OK weaponskill - but is heavily outdone by Fudo.Verification Needed
  • With the advent of REMA augments, Masamune beats Dojikiri in raw damage - Fudo is your main WS, and the boosts provided by the augment can't be ignored.

note: these are opinions - require community input for verification

What about other GKs?

While REMA is arguably "the ideal", there are various weapons leading up to these that will assist you in the process of gearing up Samurai.

Sensui icon.png Sensui:

  • Possible reward from Brittlis, an Escha - Zi'Tah T2 NM.
  • A good starter GK for those entering into Escha for the first time.
  • Augment with Path A, for accuracy and Store TP.

Anahera Blade icon.png Anahera Blade:

  • Possible reward from clearing the Ark Angel GK II High Tier Battlefield.
  • Honestly, it's not exactly worth spending merits to obtain this weapon for practical purposes. The other options are both cheaper and better.
  • It's pretty though, I'll give you that...

Kurikaranotachi icon.png Kurikaranotachi:

  • JSE Weapon obtained from Oboro.
  • Can be further augmented to provide Accuracy +70, Weaponskill Damage +5%, Double Attack +5%.
  • At best, this weapon functions as a stepping stone for better alternatives -- however, the cost involved for obtaining/augmenting is rather high and generally not worth the effort.

Himetsuruichimonji icon.png Himetsuruichimonji:

  • Potential drop from Sinister Reign.
  • Augments with STR+10 Acc./Atk.+10 Quadruple Attack +3.
  • If you get it, it's OK. Due to the randomized nature of SR, you might have one laying around without even trying for it.
  • Despite all the augments, it still performs incredibly below other options (such as Ichigo/Umaru), so it might not be worth your time pursuing this GK.1

Norifusa icon.png Norifusa / +1:

  • Possible Coffer Reward from Unity NM Volatile Cluster.
  • Otherwise referred to as "Soboro 119", this weapon effectively fills the same role as its predecessor.
  • This is a situational GK, you will not be maining this unless you're doing sub-objectives on Omen, or need a low dmg, high atk rate GK.


Ichigohitofuri icon.png Ichigohitofuri:

  • Possible weapon drop from Kammavaca, an Escha - Ru'Aun T2 NM.
  • This weapon will be your endgame GK, possibly outdone by a well-augmented Umaru.2
  • You'll augment via Path A for pure damage (if accuracy isn't a concern), or Path B/C depending on your accuracy needs (B would be better, as 5 accuracy can be made up for elsewhere and 20STR will be a bigger benefit than 20 attack).

Deacon Blade icon.png Deacon Blade:

  • Possible weapon drop from Ark Angel GK, an Escha - Ru'Aun AA NM.
  • While nice on paper, this GK isn't worth working to obtain over other options -- to specify, AAGK isn't the easiest target to kill and as such this shouldn't be considered a priority unless you just happen to have one.
    • Due to its unconventional 494 Delay (as opposed to most other options being 450), the builds differ ever so slightly. The potential damage is still relatively similar to Umaru/Ichigo.
  • It's still pretty.

Umaru icon.png Umaru:

  • Weapon drop from Sarsaok, a Reisenjima T2 NM.
  • Augmented via Oseem, via use of various stones.
  • Ideally, your upgrades would reflect DMG+20 or higher, STR+10 or higher, Acc/Atk.+20 or higher, and the special ability could vary.
    • Of these special abilities, beneficial ones could be Double Attack, Weaponskill Damage, or Store TP.
  • Arguably, a well-augmented Umaru is your best non-REMA weapon (marginally edging out Ichigo). However, the cost involved for those random augments might not be worth the investment. Take this into consideration.

Note: Don't sweat it if you don't get "perfect" augments - you can always keep trying later on. These are just guidelines.

Hachimonji icon.png Hachimonji:

  • Final upgrade in the ambuscade weapon GK line.
  • Comparable, if not better than Ichigo/Umaru due to the high base stats provided.
    • That said, lack of store TP and Zanshin bonus may affect your tp gain by a variable margin, so you'll want to take this into consideration when gearing.
  • Tachi: Kasha bonus lends this weapon to more potent light skillchain combinations.
  • Provides an amount of multi-attack dependent on total +Store TP, where +1sTP = 1% Double Attack up to 100, 101~200 adds +1% Triple Attack and 201+ adds Quadruple Attack.
    • As an example, a Samurai with +137sTP would have 100% DA and 37% TA.
  • A multi-hit swing will fix your TP/Hit to 127, so two hits will be 254, so on. Refer to item page for details.
    • This means that your outgoing dmg is potentially greater because of increased number of swings, but you'll also feed the enemy TP in the same way. Exercise caution.

Polearms

SE decided polearms are back in business.
Ambuscade weapons shook the meta a fair bit, making them more viable for content with appropriate gear.
With the release of Odyssey, multiple damage types are crucial. As such, these are your options.

Shining One icon.png Shining One:

  • Final result of the ambuscade weapon upgrades for polearms.
  • Does comparable damage to high-end weapons with a proper weapon skill set utilizing Impulse Drive.
  • High crit rate bonus mechanic; WS over 2000 TP averages at least a crit WS every other attempt.
  • Best available polearm at this time.

Kaja Lance icon.png Kaja Lance:

  • Penultimate step of the ambuscade weapon upgrade line for polearms.
  • Lacks the crit modifier provided by Shining One, but still includes the damage boost to Impulse Drive.
    • While you won't see the massive damage spikes granted by the crit rate buff of Shining One, it's still fairly respectable damage.

Raetic Halberd icon.png Raetic Halberd / +1:

  • Crafted.
  • Requires Su3, which means you won't be allowed to equip it until you obtain a minimum amount of Job Points (500, in this case).
  • Ideal use in scenarios where the fight is a short zerg and you can maintain the MP mechanic throughout. +1 shines thanks to the benefit of the added Store TP.

Exalted Spear icon.png Exalted Spear / +1:

  • Crafted.
  • Requires Su2, which means you won't be allowed to equip it until you obtain a minimum about of Job Points (100, in this case).
  • Your only other "real" alternative, this spear doesn't have nearly the same power as the above, but grants you access to Wheeling Thrust (for SC purposes, at best) and provides a fair amount of accuracy and weapon skill accuracy.

There are, perhaps, other options... but realistically, they don't matter (Quint Spear, I miss you).

Job-Specific Armor

Samurai's Artifact, Relic and Empyrean armors are particularly key towards different facets of your abilities. These pieces serve different purposes and some of them are—at most—macro pieces.
Priorities and reasoning will be included with each piece.


TP Sets

These sets are by no means set in stone. +1's (or +2's in ambuscade equipment's case) are not a hard requirement in any of these—but as always, they're welcome advantages. The "gearing up" process establishes a baseline set with low accuracy requirements but sufficient Store TP to maintain an x-hit build—however—these sets are built around a typical party composition (bard, geo), but excluding SAM roll for any extra cushion in regards to TP. TP overflow is a good thing anyway.

  • Note: These sets are geared towards zerging purposes. You are not meeting any particular accuracy checks beyond what the party buffs are providing you.


Set descriptions
Starter Assumes access to delve, ambuscade and at least reforge +1, but not escha abjuration gear onwards.
Mid Assumes clearing most of Escha except for the "tougher" targets (Reisen T3, Gods/Kouryu, WoC, etc) as well as access to omen midboss gear, reforge +2 and Vagary wins.
Max High tier means you have access to pretty much everything.
Sortie Access to +3 Empyrean and +2 Earrings.


Ichigohitofuri icon.pngIchigohitofuri description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Nepenthe Grip icon.pngNepenthe Grip description.png Cibitshavore icon.pngCibitshavore description.png
Augment-Icon.png
32x32.png
Flam. Zucchetto +1 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +1 description.png Moonbeam Nodowa icon.pngMoonbeam Nodowa description.png Bladeborn Earring icon.pngBladeborn Earring description.png Steelflash Earring icon.pngSteelflash Earring description.png
Kasuga Domaru icon.pngKasuga Domaru description.png Flam. Manopolas +1 icon.pngFlam. Manopolas +1 description.png Rajas Ring icon.pngRajas Ring description.png Petrov Ring icon.pngPetrov Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ioskeha Belt icon.pngIoskeha Belt description.png Hiza. Hizayoroi +1 icon.pngHiza. Hizayoroi +1 description.png Flam. Gambieras +1 icon.pngFlam. Gambieras +1 description.png
  Starter
32x32.png Nepenthe Grip +1 icon.pngNepenthe Grip +1 description.png 32x32.png Ginsen icon.pngGinsen description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Moonlight Nodowa icon.pngMoonlight Nodowa description.png Cessance Earring icon.pngCessance Earring description.png Brutal Earring icon.pngBrutal Earring description.png
Kasuga Domaru +1 icon.pngKasuga Domaru +1 description.png Wakido Kote +2 icon.pngWakido Kote +2 description.png Flamma Ring icon.pngFlamma Ring description.png Petrov Ring icon.pngPetrov Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ioskeha Belt icon.pngIoskeha Belt description.png Ryuo Hakama icon.pngRyuo Hakama description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ryuo Sune-Ate icon.pngRyuo Sune-Ate description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  Mid Tier
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Aurgelmir Orb +1 icon.pngAurgelmir Orb +1 description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Sam. Nodowa +2 icon.pngSam. Nodowa +2 description.png Telos Earring icon.pngTelos Earring description.png Dedition Earring icon.pngDedition Earring description.png
Kasuga Domaru +1 icon.pngKasuga Domaru +1 description.png Wakido Kote +3 icon.pngWakido Kote +3 description.png Flamma Ring icon.pngFlamma Ring description.png Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ioskeha Belt +1 icon.pngIoskeha Belt +1 description.png Ryuo Hakama +1 icon.pngRyuo Hakama +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ryuo Sune-Ate +1 icon.pngRyuo Sune-Ate +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  Max Tier
  • Hiza. Hizayoroi +2 and Flam. Gambieras +2 are both good alternatives for their respective slots.
  • In certain cases, well-augmented valorous legs/feet with DA/sTP could potentially serve as stand-ins.
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Coiste Bodhar icon.pngCoiste Bodhar description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Moonlight Nodowa icon.pngMoonlight Nodowa description.png Telos Earring icon.pngTelos Earring description.png Kasuga Earring +2 icon.pngKasuga Earring +2 description.png
Kasuga Domaru +3 icon.pngKasuga Domaru +3 description.png Tatena. Gote +1 icon.pngTatena. Gote +1 description.png Flamma Ring icon.pngFlamma Ring description.png Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Sailfi Belt +1 icon.pngSailfi Belt +1 description.png Kasuga Haidate +3 icon.pngKasuga Haidate +3 description.png Ryuo Sune-Ate +1 icon.pngRyuo Sune-Ate +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  Sortie




Gearing for Accuracy

The sets listed above, as mentioned earlier, are intended to be for scenarios where you don't require accuracy outside of what your buffs and food give you. For the things that do need more accuracy, then these tiered sets start filling in.

It's important to note that the accuracy listed on these sets is prior to any buffs (e.g. Hasso, cheers, food, etc). To determine the appropriate level of accuracy you need to jump to, it's important you understand what buffs you'll be receiving relative to your party composition and the estimated required accuracy of your target.

Low Accuracy  
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Aurgelmir Orb +1 icon.pngAurgelmir Orb +1 description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Sam. Nodowa +2 icon.pngSam. Nodowa +2 description.png Brutal Earring icon.pngBrutal Earring description.png Dedition Earring icon.pngDedition Earring description.png
Ken. Samue +1 icon.pngKen. Samue +1 description.png Wakido Kote +3 icon.pngWakido Kote +3 description.png Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png Flamma Ring icon.pngFlamma Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ioskeha Belt +1 icon.pngIoskeha Belt +1 description.png Ken. Hakama +1 icon.pngKen. Hakama +1 description.png Ryuo Sune-Ate +1 icon.pngRyuo Sune-Ate +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  ~1160 Accuracy
Mid Accuracy  
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Aurgelmir Orb +1 icon.pngAurgelmir Orb +1 description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Sam. Nodowa +2 icon.pngSam. Nodowa +2 description.png Cessance Earring icon.pngCessance Earring description.png Brutal Earring icon.pngBrutal Earring description.png
Ken. Samue +1 icon.pngKen. Samue +1 description.png Wakido Kote +3 icon.pngWakido Kote +3 description.png Flamma Ring icon.pngFlamma Ring description.png Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Windbuffet Belt +1 icon.pngWindbuffet Belt +1 description.png Ken. Hakama +1 icon.pngKen. Hakama +1 description.png Ryuo Sune-Ate +1 icon.pngRyuo Sune-Ate +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  ~1176 Accuracy
High Accuracy  
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Aurgelmir Orb +1 icon.pngAurgelmir Orb +1 description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Sam. Nodowa +2 icon.pngSam. Nodowa +2 description.png Telos Earring icon.pngTelos Earring description.png Digni. Earring icon.pngDigni. Earring description.png
Ken. Samue +1 icon.pngKen. Samue +1 description.png Wakido Kote +3 icon.pngWakido Kote +3 description.png Regal Ring icon.pngRegal Ring description.png Flamma Ring icon.pngFlamma Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Ioskeha Belt +1 icon.pngIoskeha Belt +1 description.png Ken. Hakama +1 icon.pngKen. Hakama +1 description.png Flam. Gambieras +2 icon.pngFlam. Gambieras +2 description.png
  ~1264 Accuracy

For more info, verify the accuracy cheat sheet further down this guide.

Survival Sets

In short, the sets for when you don't want to die to a single TP move or magic spell, or avoid annoying status ailments.

32x32.png 32x32.png 32x32.png Aurgelmir Orb +1 icon.pngAurgelmir Orb +1 description.png
Ken. Jinpachi +1 icon.pngKen. Jinpachi +1 description.png Moonlight Nodowa icon.pngMoonlight Nodowa description.png Telos Earring icon.pngTelos Earring description.png Dedition Earring icon.pngDedition Earring description.png
Ken. Samue +1 icon.pngKen. Samue +1 description.png Wakido Kote +3 icon.pngWakido Kote +3 description.png Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png Ilabrat Ring icon.pngIlabrat Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Windbuffet Belt +1 icon.pngWindbuffet Belt +1 description.png Ken. Hakama +1 icon.pngKen. Hakama +1 description.png Ken. Sune-Ate +1 icon.pngKen. Sune-Ate +1 description.png
  MEva
32x32.png 32x32.png 32x32.png Staunch Tathlum +1 icon.pngStaunch Tathlum +1 description.png
Ken. Jinpachi +1 icon.pngKen. Jinpachi +1 description.png Loricate Torque +1 icon.pngLoricate Torque +1 description.png Genmei Earring icon.pngGenmei Earring description.png Etiolation Earring icon.pngEtiolation Earring description.png
Wakido Domaru +3 icon.pngWakido Domaru +3 description.png Wakido Kote +3 icon.pngWakido Kote +3 description.png Defending Ring icon.pngDefending Ring description.png Gelatinous Ring +1 icon.pngGelatinous Ring +1 description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Flume Belt +1 icon.pngFlume Belt +1 description.png Ken. Hakama +1 icon.pngKen. Hakama +1 description.png Ken. Sune-Ate +1 icon.pngKen. Sune-Ate +1 description.png
  Hybrid DD/DT
  • Go crazy with magic evasion! Ken gear provides the most meva SAM can equip.
  • Kendatsuba gear is su3, so please keep in mind you'll need at least 500JP to equip this gear.
  • Ring/Earring options may vary with accuracy needs, so feel free to adjust as necessary.
  • Set serves as a decent mid-acc set, if the zerg alternative listed above (max tier) is too low.
  • Ideal hybrid set, raising your meva/resistances while also maintaining high DT. Excellent in situations where magic damage is prevalent (omen bosses, e.g.)
  • Also provides good sTP and accuracy, so this won't significantly lower your DPS while ensuring survivability.

WS Sets

Most weaponskills for Samurai share the same set as you would gear for Fudo or Shoha. The WS sets for the "gearing up" stage can apply to all WS. I'll separate the "max" level into a "shoha" and a "fudo" set for those looking to get that top deeps.
For clarification, Nyame isn't included in any of these sets. You're limited to 1 set of armor, and the path you choose drastically alters your use-case for them. Where you want to make those changes is, first and foremost, YOUR decision. Gauge if it's worth replacing any gear vs. how accessible augmenting the gear is.

Set descriptions
Starter Assumes access to delve, ambuscade and at least reforge +1, but not escha abjuration gear onwards.
Mid Assumes clearing most of Escha except for the "tougher" targets (Reisen T3, Gods/Kouryu, WoC, etc) as well as access to omen midboss gear, reforge +2 and Vagary wins.
Max High tier means you have access to pretty much everything.


Ichigohitofuri icon.pngIchigohitofuri description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Nepenthe Grip icon.pngNepenthe Grip description.png Cibitshavore icon.pngCibitshavore description.png
Augment-Icon.png
32x32.png
Flam. Zucchetto +1 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +1 description.png Fotia Gorget icon.pngFotia Gorget description.png Ishvara Earring icon.pngIshvara Earring description.png Brutal Earring icon.pngBrutal Earring description.png
Flamma Korazin +1 icon.pngFlamma Korazin +1 description.png Flam. Manopolas +1 icon.pngFlam. Manopolas +1 description.png Rajas Ring icon.pngRajas Ring description.png Apate Ring icon.pngApate Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Fotia Belt icon.pngFotia Belt description.png Hiza. Hizayoroi +1 icon.pngHiza. Hizayoroi +1 description.png Flam. Gambieras +1 icon.pngFlam. Gambieras +1 description.png
  Starter
Ichigohitofuri icon.pngIchigohitofuri description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Nepenthe Grip +1 icon.pngNepenthe Grip +1 description.png 32x32.png Knobkierrie icon.pngKnobkierrie description.png
Valorous Mask icon.pngValorous Mask description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Fotia Gorget icon.pngFotia Gorget description.png Ishvara Earring icon.pngIshvara Earring description.png Moonshade Earring icon.pngMoonshade Earring description.png
Ryuo Domaru icon.pngRyuo Domaru description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Valorous Mitts icon.pngValorous Mitts description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Apate Ring icon.pngApate Ring description.png Karieyh Ring icon.pngKarieyh Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Fotia Belt icon.pngFotia Belt description.png Hiza. Hizayoroi +2 icon.pngHiza. Hizayoroi +2 description.png Valorous Greaves icon.pngValorous Greaves description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  Mid Tier
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Knobkierrie icon.pngKnobkierrie description.png
Mpaca's Cap icon.pngMpaca's Cap description.png Sam. Nodowa +2 icon.pngSam. Nodowa +2 description.png Thrud Earring icon.pngThrud Earring description.png Moonshade Earring icon.pngMoonshade Earring description.png
Sakonji Domaru +3 icon.pngSakonji Domaru +3 description.png Valorous Mitts icon.pngValorous Mitts description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Epaminondas's Ring icon.pngEpaminondas's Ring description.png Karieyh Ring +1 icon.pngKarieyh Ring +1 description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Sailfi Belt +1 icon.pngSailfi Belt +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Wakido Haidate +3 icon.pngWakido Haidate +3 description.png Valorous Greaves icon.pngValorous Greaves description.png
Augment-Icon.png
  High Tier Fudo/Impulse
  • Mpaca's Cap has a TP bonus that's hard to ignore, combined with higher base accuracy. While you won't net WSD from augments unlike valorous—also translating to slightly lower STR from perfect augs—the extra stats are worth the utility.
  • Sakonji Domaru +2 outperforms almost every combination of Valorous Mail except maybe perfect augments.
    • Due to the restrictions to obtain reforged relic, Valorous is still a great option over Ryuo.
  • In the case of Shining One + Impulse, Ryuo Tekko +1 Path A would benefit more.
  • Priority order for neck with augments: Sam. Nodowa +2 > +1 > NQ > Fotia Gorget
    • The crafted necks are better under the condition you've begun the augmenting process. By themselves, they aren't WS pieces.
  • Priority order for this set, assuming you don't own either: Karieyh Ring > Regal Ring > Niqmaddu Ring
  • When TP overflow will exceed 3k, Lugra Earring +1 replaces Moonshade.

Now, it's important to understand that the sets listed above are a functional set for your primary physical weaponskills - e.g. Fudo, Kasha, Gekko, Yukikaze.
As for your other options, we have the following:

32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Knobkierrie icon.pngKnobkierrie description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png Sam. Nodowa +2 icon.pngSam. Nodowa +2 description.png Lugra Earring +1 icon.pngLugra Earring +1 description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Moonshade Earring icon.pngMoonshade Earring description.png
Sakonji Domaru +3 icon.pngSakonji Domaru +3 description.png Valorous Mitts icon.pngValorous Mitts description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png Epaminondas's Ring icon.pngEpaminondas's Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Fotia Belt icon.pngFotia Belt description.png Wakido Haidate +3 icon.pngWakido Haidate +3 description.png Flam. Gambieras +2 icon.pngFlam. Gambieras +2 description.png
  Shoha (fudo variant)
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Knobkierrie icon.pngKnobkierrie description.png
Valorous Mask icon.pngValorous Mask description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Fotia Gorget icon.pngFotia Gorget description.png Friomisi Earring icon.pngFriomisi Earring description.png Moonshade Earring icon.pngMoonshade Earring description.png
Found. Breastplate icon.pngFound. Breastplate description.png Founder's Gauntlets icon.pngFounder's Gauntlets description.png Regal Ring icon.pngRegal Ring description.png Niqmaddu Ring icon.pngNiqmaddu Ring description.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
Fotia Belt icon.pngFotia Belt description.png Wakido Haidate +3 icon.pngWakido Haidate +3 description.png Founder's Greaves icon.pngFounder's Greaves description.png
  Hybrid WS
32x32.png Utu Grip icon.pngUtu Grip description.png 32x32.png Knobkierrie icon.pngKnobkierrie description.png
Flam. Zucchetto +2 icon.pngFlam. Zucchetto +2 description.png 32x32.png 32x32.png 32x32.png
Flamma Korazin +2 icon.pngFlamma Korazin +2 description.png Flam. Manopolas +2 icon.pngFlam. Manopolas +2 description.png 32x32.png 32x32.png
Smertrios's Mantle icon.pngSmertrios's Mantle description.png
Augment-Icon.png
32x32.png Flamma Dirs +2 icon.pngFlamma Dirs +2 description.png Flam. Gambieras +2 icon.pngFlam. Gambieras +2 description.png
  Ageha
  • Same neck priorities apply from the previous set.
  • We're using Flamma Ring over Regal for the set bonus. If accuracy is a concern, you can keep regal in.
  • Flamma pieces combine a decent amount of MA and mods, and work better for shoha.
    • Flamma head is optional. Use Mpaca head for TP bonus.
  • Alternate earrings: Thrud Earring > Brutal Earring.
  • Stack accuracy to land the hit, m. acc to land the effect.
  • The effect is highly accurate as-is, but our goal is to ensure defense down lands.
  • Nyame probably accomplishes the same and will probably be your end-goal in other sets, depending on the path chosen.

Skillchains

No SAM is complete without some Skillchain Knowledge.
SCing is important due to all the extra damage it provides, much more than your weapon skill itself will do. Multistepping, or creating multiple skillchains off of previous skillchains increases the damage of a skillchain more and more each step. The window to create another step becomes shorter and shorter after each. Initially the window for a skillchain starts at 10 seconds between WSs to count. Each step reduces that time down by about 2 seconds until reaching 3 seconds.
Overall thanks to massive amount of Store TP and various ways to gain it, it is easy to multistep by yourself.

All primary WS properties are used first to create a SC, and if no SC is created then secondary properties are used.

  • So if s WS has a secondary property you wish to use. It won't work unless the primary property is not utilized to make a SC first.

Level 1 → 2:

  • Liquefaction SC Icon.png Liquefaction → Impaction SC Icon.png Impaction = Fusion SC Icon.png Fusion
  • Induration SC Icon.png Induration → Reverberation SC Icon.png Reverberation = Fragmentation SC Icon.png Fragmentation
  • Detonation SC Icon.png Detonation → Compression SC Icon.png Compression = Gravitation SC Icon.png Gravitation
  • Transfixion SC Icon.png Transfixion → Scission SC Icon.png Scission = Distortion SC Icon.png Distortion

Level 2 → 3:

  • Gravitation SC Icon.png Gravitation → Fragmentation SC Icon.png Fragmentation = Fragmentation SC Icon.png Fragmentation
  • Distortion SC Icon.png Distortion → Fusion SC Icon.png Fusion = Fusion SC Icon.png Fusion
  • Fusion SC Icon.png Fusion → Gravitation SC Icon.png Gravitation = Gravitation SC Icon.png Gravitation
  • Fragmentation SC Icon.png Fragmentation → Distortion SC Icon.png Distortion = Distortion SC Icon.png Distortion
  • Fusion SC Icon.png Fusion ↔ Fragmentation SC Icon.png Fragmentation = Light SC Icon.png Light
  • Gravitation SC Icon.png Gravitation ↔ Distortion SC Icon.png Distortion = Dark SC Icon.png Dark

Level 3:

  • Light SC Icon.png Light ↔ Light SC Icon.png Light = Light SC Icon.png Light
  • Dark SC Icon.png Dark ↔ Dark SC Icon.png Dark = Dark SC Icon.png Dark

Empyrean and Relic WSs are the only WSs with a level 3 (light or dark) property. These may be used to create light and dark with themselves.

  • Under Aeonic Aftermath all merit WSs gain a light or dark property too allowing for level 3s while it is active.

You may make a double light or dark SC, but this must be done with a level 2 → 3 resulting in light or dark and then a relic or empyrean level 3 WS following it to create the second light or dark.

  • Level 3 skillchains can not make double light or darkness off of themselves.

Suggested Skillchains

Note: Dojikiri Yasutsuna icon.png denotates the need of Dojikiri Yasutsuna to continue the SC.

Resources