Samurai Job Guide for FFXIV — Endwalker 6.55

Last updated on Jan 16, 2024 at 15:53 by boxer 14 comments

Samurai is a melee DPS job in Final Fantasy XIV that uses their katana to build Sen and Kenki, unleashing both in the form of hard-hitting combo attacks. They can only be played after completing a quest in Ul'dah, after reaching Level 50, and have no base class.

1.

What is Samurai's Playstyle?

Samurai is a high-damage, no-utility melee job with a semi-flexible burst window. They wield a katana and share Striking gear with Monk, with a main stat of Strength.

Samurai offers no raid buffs or party utility of its own. Instead, it excels at exploiting the buffs provided by the other members of the party, putting an unmatched amount of potency into each burst window. The core gameplay revolves around rotating through three basic combos to upkeep a pair of buffs and gather resources in the form of Sen and Kenki. Every 120 seconds, Samurai unleashes a massive burst of heavy-hitting abilities, with a slightly lower burst every 60 seconds. As these burst windows require a setup that is primarily GCD-based, moving or holding them is a bit difficult. A large portion of Samurai's optimization therefore comes from extending, shortening, or rearranging your rotation on a per-fight or even per-mechanic basis. The job has a low barrier to entry but a high skill ceiling in knowing how to rearrange your rotation in various ways to work around mechanics and continue taking advantage of your party's raid buffs.

2.

Samurai Strengths and Weaknesses

V Strengths
  • +Low skill floor, high skill ceiling.
  • +Powerful 2 minute burst windows.
  • +Variety of options to spend resources on.
  • +High mobility in Hissatsu: Yaten Icon Hissatsu: Yaten and Hissatsu: Gyoten Icon Hissatsu: Gyoten
  • +Easy upkeep on self-buffs.
X Weaknesses
  • -No party utility besides damage, job usefulness heavily dependent on player skill.
  • -Burst windows require some preparation, making deaths or long downtime difficult to recover from.
  • -Variety comes at the price of having many separate abilities, leading to bloated hotbars.
3.

How do you Unlock Samurai?

Samurai was added to FFXIV through the Stormblood expansion, and starts at level 50 instead of level 1 like the game's base jobs. As such, the prerequisites to unlocking Samurai are to be at least Level 50 on one Discipline of War or Magic job and own the Stormblood expansion.

Once you meet both requirements, head to Ul'dah, Steps of Nald (x9.2, y9.1) and speak to the Ul'dahn Citizen to start the quest "The Way of the Samurai." Upon completion, you will be rewarded with the Samurai job stone and some basic left side gear.

4.

Samurai Gauges

Samurai FFXIV Sen Gauge

The Sen Gauge displays which Sen have currently been accumulated. Each Sen can be gained through different combos - Setsu (top), from Yukikaze Icon Yukikaze; Getsu (left), from Gekko Icon Gekko or Mangetsu Icon Mangetsu; and Ka (right), from Kasha Icon Kasha or Oka Icon Oka.

Sen is spent on Iaijutsu Icon Iaijutsu, a weaponskill that executes a different attack depending how many Sen have been accumulated when used. Which combination of Sen does not matter, only how many. At one Sen, it will execute Higanbana Icon Higanbana, a 60s DoT. At two Sen, Tenka Goken Icon Tenka Goken, a frontal cone AoE. Finally, at three Sen, the single target nuke Midare Setsugekka Icon Midare Setsugekka.

Samurai FFXIV Kenki Gauge

The Kenki Gauge is unlocked at Level 52 via the trait Kenki Mastery Icon Kenki Mastery. At this level, Kenki is only gained through combo finishers or a successful Third Eye Icon Third Eye, but upon reaching Level 62, the trait Kenki Mastery II Icon Kenki Mastery II expands this to all of Samurai's Weaponskills, aside from Iaijutsu Icon Iaijutsu. Kenki is spent on Hissatsu oGCD abilities which offer mobility or damage, such as Hissatsu: Gyoten Icon Hissatsu: Gyoten, Hissatsu: Shinten Icon Hissatsu: Shinten, and Hissatsu: Senei Icon Hissatsu: Senei.

Samurai FFXIV Meditation Gauge

The Meditation Gauge is added at Level 70 upon unlocking the ability Shoha Icon Shoha. Stacks of Meditation are gained through use of Iaijutsu Icon Iaijutsu, Meditate Icon Meditate, and Ogi Namikiri Icon Ogi Namikiri, up to a maximum of three. Once full, you may spend all three stacks on either Shoha Icon Shoha for a powerful single target oGCD skill or on Shoha II Icon Shoha II for an AoE.

5.

Samurai Video Resources

If you would prefer to watch a video that provides an overview of Samurai, feel free to give the video below a watch. The video was provided by Julia Care, a member of the community on The Balance Discord server.

6.

Samurai Actions

Action Name
  • Cast
  • Recast
  • Range
  • Radius
Effect
Hakaze Icon Hakaze Lv. 1
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Jinpu Icon Jinpu Lv. 4
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Combo Action: Hakaze Combo Potency: 280 Combo Bonus: Grants Fugetsu Fugetsu Effect: Increases damage dealt by 13% Duration: 40s Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Third Eye Icon Third Eye Lv. 6
  • Instant
  • 15.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Reduces the amount of damage taken by the next attack by 10%. Duration: 4s Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 when hit
Enpi Icon Enpi Lv. 15
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 20y
  • 0y
Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 100. Enhanced Enpi Bonus Potency: 260 Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10
Shifu Icon Shifu Lv. 18
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Combo Action: Hakaze Combo Potency: 280 Combo Bonus: Grants Fuka Fuka Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 13% Duration: 40s Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Fuga Icon Fuga Lv. 26
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 8y
  • 8y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 90 to all enemies in a cone before you. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Gekko Icon Gekko Lv. 30
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. 170 when executed from a target's rear. Combo Action: Jinpu Combo Potency: 330 Rear Combo Potency: 380 Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 Combo Bonus: Grants Getsu
Higanbana Icon Higanbana Lv. 30
  • 1.8s
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 6y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 45 Duration: 60s Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Iaijutsu Icon Iaijutsu Lv. 30
  • 1.8s
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Executes a weaponskill depending on current number of Sen stored in Sen Gauge. 1 Sen: Higanbana 2 Sen: Tenka Goken 3 Sen: Midare Setsugekka
Mangetsu Icon Mangetsu Lv. 35
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Combo Action: Fuko Combo Potency: 120 Combo Bonus: Grants Fugetsu Fugetsu Effect: Increases damage dealt by 13% Duration: 40s Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 Combo Bonus: Grants Getsu
Kasha Icon Kasha Lv. 40
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. 170 when executed from a target's flank. Combo Action: Shifu Combo Potency: 330 Flank Combo Potency: 380 Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 Combo Bonus: Grants Ka
Tenka Goken Icon Tenka Goken Lv. 40
  • 1.8s
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 8y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 300 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Oka Icon Oka Lv. 45
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Combo Action: Fuko Combo Potency: 120 Combo Bonus: Grants Fuka Fuka Effect: Reduces weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 13% Duration: 40s Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 Combo Bonus: Grants Ka
Meikyo Shisui Icon Meikyo Shisui Lv. 50
  • Instant
  • 55.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Execute up to 3 weaponskill combos without meeting combo prerequisites. Does not affect Iaijutsu or Ogi Namikiri. Duration: 15s Additional Effect: Successfully landing Gekko grants Fugetsu, and successfully landing Kasha grants Fuka Maximum Charges: 2
Midare Setsugekka Icon Midare Setsugekka Lv. 50
  • 1.8s
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 6y
  • 0y
Delivers a critical hit with a potency of 640. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Yukikaze Icon Yukikaze Lv. 50
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120. Combo Action: Hakaze Combo Potency: 300 Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 15 Combo Bonus: Grants Setsu
Hissatsu: Shinten Icon Hissatsu: Shinten Lv. 52
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 250. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
Hissatsu: Gyoten Icon Hissatsu: Gyoten Lv. 54
  • Instant
  • 10.0s
  • ↔ 20y
  • 0y
Rushes target and delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Kenki Gauge Cost: 10 Cannot be executed while bound.
Hissatsu: Yaten Icon Hissatsu: Yaten Lv. 56
  • Instant
  • 10.0s
  • ↔ 5y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: 10-yalm backstep Additional Effect: Grants Enhanced Enpi Duration: 15s Kenki Gauge Cost: 10 Cannot be executed while bound.
Meditate Icon Meditate Lv. 60
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Gradually increases your Kenki Gauge. Duration: 15s Additional Effect: Grants stacks of Meditation when used in combat, up to a maximum of 3 Kenki Gauge not affected when used outside battle. Effect ends upon using another action or moving (including facing a different direction). Cancels auto-attack upon execution. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills.
Hissatsu: Kyuten Icon Hissatsu: Kyuten Lv. 62
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all nearby enemies. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
Hagakure Icon Hagakure Lv. 68
  • Instant
  • 5.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Converts Setsu, Getsu, and Ka into Kenki. Each Sen converted increases your Kenki Gauge by 10. Can only be executed if under the effect of at least one of the three statuses.
Ikishoten Icon Ikishoten Lv. 68
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Increases Kenki Gauge by 50. Additional Effect: Grants Ogi Namikiri Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in combat.
Hissatsu: Guren Icon Hissatsu: Guren Lv. 70
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 10y
  • 10y
Delivers an attack to all enemies in a straight line before you with a potency of 500 for the first enemy, and 25% less for all remaining enemies. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25 Shares a recast timer with Hissatsu: Senei.
Hissatsu: Senei Icon Hissatsu: Senei Lv. 72
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 860. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25 Shares a recast timer with Hissatsu: Guren.
Kaeshi: Goken Icon Kaeshi: Goken Lv. 76
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 8y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 300 to all nearby enemies. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Kaeshi: Higanbana Icon Kaeshi: Higanbana Lv. 76
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 6y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 45 Duration: 60s Effect cannot be stacked with Higanbana. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Kaeshi: Setsugekka Icon Kaeshi: Setsugekka Lv. 76
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 6y
  • 0y
Delivers a critical hit with a potency of 640. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Tsubame-gaeshi Icon Tsubame-gaeshi Lv. 76
  • Instant
  • 60.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Repeats the previously executed iaijutsu. Maximum Charges: 2 Can only be executed immediately following Iaijutsu. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills.
Shoha Icon Shoha Lv. 80
  • Instant
  • 15.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 560. Can only be executed after accumulating three stacks of Meditation by executing Iaijutsu, Meditate, or Ogi Namikiri while in combat. Meditation effect fades upon execution. Shares a recast timer with Shoha II.
Shoha II Icon Shoha II Lv. 82
  • Instant
  • 15.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200 to all nearby enemies. Can only be executed after accumulating three stacks of Meditation by executing Iaijutsu, Meditate, or Ogi Namikiri while in combat. Meditation effect fades upon execution. Shares a recast timer with Shoha.
Fuko Icon Fuko Lv. 86
  • Instant
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 5y
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10
Kaeshi: Namikiri Icon Kaeshi: Namikiri Lv. 90
  • Instant
  • 1.0s
  • ↔ 8y
  • 8y
Delivers a critical hit to all enemies in a cone before you with a potency of 860 for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. Triggers the cooldown of weaponskills upon execution. Cannot be executed during the cooldown of weaponskills. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Ogi Namikiri Icon Ogi Namikiri Lv. 90
  • 1.8s
  • 2.5s
  • ↔ 8y
  • 8y
Delivers a critical hit to all enemies in a cone before you with a potency of 860 for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3. Can only be executed while under the effect of Ogi Namikiri Ready. ※Action changes to Kaeshi: Namikiri upon execution.
7.

Role Actions

Action Name
  • Cast
  • Recast
  • Range
  • Radius
Effect
Second Wind Icon Second Wind Lv. 8
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 500
Leg Sweep Icon Leg Sweep Lv. 10
  • Instant
  • 40.0s
  • ↔ 3y
  • 0y
Stuns target. Duration: 3s
Bloodbath Icon Bloodbath Lv. 12
  • Instant
  • 90.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Converts a portion of physical damage dealt into HP. Duration: 20s
Feint Icon Feint Lv. 22
  • Instant
  • 90.0s
  • ↔ 10y
  • 0y
Lowers target's physical damage dealt by 10% and magic damage dealt by 5%. Duration: 10s
Arm's Length Icon Arm's Length Lv. 32
  • Instant
  • 120.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struck Duration: 15s
True North Icon True North Lv. 50
  • Instant
  • 45.0s
  • ↔ 0y
  • 0y
Nullifies all action direction requirements. Duration: 10s Maximum Charges: 2
8.

Samurai Traits

Action Name Acquired Effect
Kenki Mastery Icon Kenki Mastery Lv. 52

Increases Kenki Gauge when landing select weaponskills or when taking damage while under the effect of Third Eye.

Kenki Mastery II Icon Kenki Mastery II Lv. 62

Increases Kenki Gauge when landing all weaponskills excluding Iaijutsu.

Way of the Samurai Icon Way of the Samurai Lv. 66

Increases the potency of Hakaze to 200, Jinpu to 120, and Shifu to 120.

Enhanced Iaijutsu Icon Enhanced Iaijutsu Lv. 74

Reduces Iaijutsu cast time to 1.3 seconds.

Enhanced Fugetsu and Fuka Icon Enhanced Fugetsu and Fuka Lv. 78

Improves Fugetsu's damage increase to 13% and Fuka's reduction to weaponskill cast time and recast time, spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay to 13%.

Enhanced Tsubame-gaeshi Icon Enhanced Tsubame-gaeshi Lv. 84

Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Tsubame-gaeshi.

Maximum Charges: 2

Way of the Samurai II Icon Way of the Samurai II Lv. 84

Increases the potency of Gekko, Kasha, and Yukikaze to 120.

Fuga Mastery Icon Fuga Mastery Lv. 86

Upgrades Fuga to Fuko.

Enhanced Meikyo Shisui Icon Enhanced Meikyo Shisui Lv. 88

Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Meikyo Shisui.

Maximum Charges: 2

Enhanced Ikishoten Icon Enhanced Ikishoten Lv. 90

Grants Ogi Namikiri Ready upon execution of Ikishoten.

Duration: 30s

9.

Samurai Lore

Far across the rolling waves, towards the rising sun, there lies the island nation of Hingashi.

In the distant past, the realm's great lords vied for supremacy over its seagirt confines in a long and bloody conflict. And taking to battle in their lieges' names were noble swordsmen whose art was forged in the crucible of war: the samurai.

Eventually, the nation was unified under one banner, and these warriors came to wield their katana not upon fields as part of an army, but upon streets as protectors of the peace.

But as a neglected blade grows dull with rust, so too do men forget their purpose. Amidst waning memories of the old ways, a determined few hold fast to their convictions, hands by katana grips, awaiting the moment for steel to sing.

10.

Changelog

  • 16 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.55
  • 16 Jan. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.55
  • 16 Jan. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.55
  • 16 Jan. 2024 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.55
  • 16 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.55
  • 15 Oct. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 15 Oct. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 15 Oct. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 15 Oct. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 15 Oct. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.5
  • 24 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 24 May 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 24 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 24 May 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 24 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.4
  • 10 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 10 Jan. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 10 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 10 Jan. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 10 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.3
  • 24 Aug. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 23 Aug. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 23 Aug. 2022 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 23 Aug. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 23 Aug. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.2
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 20 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.1
  • 07 Mar. 2022 (Leveling page): Guide added.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (rotation page): Guide added.
  • 13 Feb. 2022 (melding page): Guide added.
  • 10 Feb. 2022 (gear page): Guide added.
  • 10 Feb. 2022 (this page): Guide added.
Show more
Show less