Samurai Job Guide — Endwalker 6.4

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.

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.

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

Sen is spent on 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, a 60s DoT. At two Sen, Tenka Goken, a frontal cone AoE. Finally, at three Sen, the single target nuke Midare Setsugekka.

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

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

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.

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Hakaze Lv. 1	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Lv. 52	Instant 1.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 250. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
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 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 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 Lv. 62	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all nearby enemies. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Second Wind Lv. 8	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Instantly restores own HP. Cure Potency: 500
Leg Sweep Lv. 10	Instant 40.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Stuns target. Duration: 3s
Bloodbath Lv. 12	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Converts a portion of physical damage dealt into HP. Duration: 20s
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 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 Lv. 50	Instant 45.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Nullifies all action direction requirements. Duration: 10s Maximum Charges: 2

Action Name	Acquired	Effect
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	Lv. 62	Increases Kenki Gauge when landing all weaponskills excluding Iaijutsu.
Way of the Samurai	Lv. 66	Increases the potency of Hakaze to 200, Jinpu to 120, and Shifu to 120.
Enhanced Iaijutsu	Lv. 74	Reduces Iaijutsu cast time to 1.3 seconds.
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	Lv. 84	Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Tsubame-gaeshi. Maximum Charges: 2
Way of the Samurai II	Lv. 84	Increases the potency of Gekko, Kasha, and Yukikaze to 120.
Fuga Mastery	Lv. 86	Upgrades Fuga to Fuko.
Enhanced Meikyo Shisui	Lv. 88	Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Meikyo Shisui. Maximum Charges: 2
Enhanced Ikishoten	Lv. 90	Grants Ogi Namikiri Ready upon execution of Ikishoten. Duration: 30s

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.