Samurai Unlock and Starting Level Guide

Samurai is a melee physical DPS job that you unlock at Level 50 in Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood 4.0 (FF14). Read on about how to unlock and use the Samurai job, its skills and rotations, and a general overview here!

New Jobs available in Stormblood (4.0)
Red Mage	Samurai

Patch 7.05 Changes

Received Tweaks in Patch 7.05

Samurai received some skill adjustments that looked like nerfs, but it remains a viable class for all content in Dawntrail Patch 7.05!

Did Samurai Get Nerfed?

How to Unlock Samurai Job

Accept the quest. The Way of the Samurai, in Ul'dah

To become a Samurai, you must complete the quest The Way of the Samurai, which can be accepted by reaching level 50 or above in any Disciple of War/Disciple of Magic job.

How to Use Samurai

Main Combos

Combo	Action	Sen Activated
Kasha	Hakaze 【Lvl.92】 Gyofu ↓ Shifu ↓ Kasha	→	Ka
Gekko	Hakaze 【Lvl.92】 Gyofu ↓ Jinpu ↓ Gekko	→	Getsu
Yukikaze	Hakaze 【Lvl.92】 Gyofu ↓ Yukikaze	→	Setsu

Samurais have 3 basic combos they have access to: Kasha, Gekko and Yukikaze. Each combo unlocks one part of your Sen Gauge as noted in the third column.

AoE Combos

AoE Combos
Shifu	Fuka Reduces Global CD by 10% for 40 seconds.	Enhanced Fugetsu and Fuka 【Lvl.78】→	Increase to 13%
Jinpu	Fugetsu Increases damage dealt by 10%.	Increase to 13%

Combo Buffs

Combo Buffs
Fuga Fuko 【Lvl.86】	Oka	Fuka Reduces Global CD by 10% for 40 seconds.	Increase to 13%
Mangetsu	Fugetsu Increases damage dealt by 10%.	Increase to 13%

The second Action of your Kasha and Gekko combos will give you a buff. Fuka reduces your cooldown, while Fugetsu increases your damage. Both skills' pecentage will increase once acquiring the skill, Enhanced Fugetsu and Fuka, at Level 78.

Meikyo Shisui

Meikyo Shisui

Meikyo Shisui allows you to execute the next 3 combos without meeting their prerequisites. and giving you their respective Sen. Successfully landing Kasha or Gekko will also give their respective buffs.

Iaijutsu and Sen Gauge

	Sen Gauge	→	Weaponskill
Iaijutsu	Activated Ka	→	Higanbana
	Activated Ka Activate Getsu	→	Tenka Goken 【Lvl.100】 Tendo Goken Tendo Kaeshi Goken
	Activated Ka Activated GetsuActivated Setsu	→	Midare Setsugekka 【Lvl.100】 Tendo Setsugekka
Hagakure	Converts all active Sen to Kenki

Using Iajutsu will allow you to execute a weaponskill depending on how many Sen is activated in your Sen Gauge.Higanbana, Tenka Goken, Tendo Goken, Midare Setsugekka, and Tendo Setsugekka will give you a stack of Meditation. Gaining 3 stacks of Meditation will allow you to use Shoha.

Tsubame-gaeshi

Tsubame-gaeshi
Kaeshi: Goken Tendo Kaeshi Goken	Kaeshi: Setsugekka Tendo Kaeshi Setsugekka

Tsubame-gaeshi can be used to repeat the previously executed iaijutsu. This will only work on Tenka Goken and Midare Setsugekka skills, as of Patch 7.05, Kaeshi: Higanbana was removed. Make sure to use Tsubame-gaeshi before using another move, as using another move after your Iaijutsu will reset Tsubame-gaeshi and you will need to recast an Iaijustu skill again.

Kenki Gauge and Moves

Kenki Gauge
Ikishoten	Adds 50 to the Kenki Gauge
Meditate	Gives Meditation Stacks and Kenki over 15 seconds, but can be interrupted.
Ogi Namikiri 【Lvl.90】	AoE Ciitical hit to all enemies in a cone.
Kaeshi: Namikiri 【Lvl.90】	Upgraded AoE Ciitical hit to all enemies in a cone.
Hissatsu: Shinten 【Lvl.52】 Increases Skill Potency	Hissatsu: Gyoten 【Lvl.54】 Gap Closer	Hissatsu: Guren 【Lvl.70】 Gap Opener + Buffs your next Ranged attack

Everytime you use a weaponskill or execute a successful Third Eye, your Kenki Gauge increases. Accumulated Kenki can be used to execute Hissatsu: Shinten, Hissatsu: Gyoten, and Hissatsu: Guren.
Using Ikishouten will instantly add 50 to your Kenki Gauge. Ikishouten will also allow the usage of Ogi: Namikiri and its upgraded skill, Kaeshi: Namikiri at Level 90.

Meditation Gauge and Moves

Kenki Gauge with Meditation Gauge【Lvl.80】
Shoha	Requires 3 Meditation stacks Attacks all enemies in a straight line.

One you reach Level 80, you will acquire the skill, Shoha, the Meditation Gauge will be added. Meditation stacks are acquired by using Iaijutsu, Meditate, or Ogi Namikiri , and are expended after executing Shoha when three stacks have been acquired.

Third Eye

Third Eye

Tengentsu

Third Eye is a defense skill that lowers the damage taken from the next attack by 10% for 3 seconds. Getting hit during this 3 second period will grant you 10 Kenki. Tengentsu is the upgraded form of Third Eye and can grant Tengentsu's Foresight, which gradually heals your HP while reduing damage taken by 10%. Similar to Third Eye, getting hit while Tengentsu is active will give you 10 Kenki.

List of Samurai Actions and Traits

Samurai Job Actions

Action	Effect
Hakaze Lv. 1 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Jinpu Lv. 4 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Combo Action: Gyofu Combo Potency: 300 Combo Bonus: Grants Fugetsu Fugetsu Effect: Increases damage dealt by 13% Duration: 40s Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Third Eye Lv. 6 Ability	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 Weaponskill	Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 100. Enhanced Enpi Bonus Potency: 270 Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10
Shifu Lv. 18 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Combo Action: Gyofu Combo Potency: 300 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 Weaponskill	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 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. 210 when executed from a target's rear. Combo Action: Jinpu Combo Potency: 370 Rear Combo Potency: 420 Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 Combo Bonus: Grants Getsu
Iaijutsu Lv. 30 Weaponskill	Executes a weaponskill depending on current number of Sen stored in Sen Gauge. 1 Sen: Higanbana 2 Sen: Tenka Goken 3 Sen: Midare Setsugekka While under the effect of Tendo, Tenka Goken changes to Tendo Goken, and Midare Setsugekka changes to Tendo Setsugekka.
Mangetsu Lv. 35 Weaponskill	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 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. 210 when executed from a target's flank. Combo Action: Shifu Combo Potency: 370 Flank Combo Potency: 420 Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10 Combo Bonus: Grants Ka
Oka Lv. 45 Weaponskill	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 Ability	Execute up to 3 weaponskill combos without meeting combo prerequisites. Does not affect Iaijutsu or Ogi Namikiri. Duration: 20s Additional Effect: Successfully landing Gekko grants Fugetsu, and successfully landing Kasha grants Fuka Additional Effect: Grants Tendo Duration: 30s Maximum Charges: 2
Yukikaze Lv. 50 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 160. Combo Action: Gyofu Combo Potency: 340 Combo Bonus: Increases Kenki Gauge by 15 Combo Bonus: Grants Setsu
Hissatsu: Shinten Lv. 52 Ability	Delivers an attack with a potency of 250. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
Hissatsu: Gyoten Lv. 54 Ability	Rushes target and delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Kenki Gauge Cost: 10 Cannot be executed while bound.
Hissatsu: Yaten Lv. 56 Ability	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 Ability	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 Ability	Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all nearby enemies. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
Hagakure Lv. 68 Ability	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 Ability	Increases Kenki Gauge by 50. Additional Effect: Grants Ogi Namikiri Ready Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants Zanshin Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while in combat.
Hissatsu: Guren Lv. 70 Ability	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 Ability	Delivers an attack with a potency of 800. Kenki Gauge Cost: 25 Shares a recast timer with Hissatsu: Guren.
Tsubame-gaeshi Lv. 76 Ability	Repeats the previously executed iaijutsu. Cannot be used to repeat Higanbana. Can only be executed while under the effect of Tsubame-gaeshi Ready.
Shoha Lv. 80 Ability	Delivers an attack to all enemies in a straight line before you with a potency of 640 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed after accumulating three stacks of Meditation by executing Iaijutsu, Meditate, or Ogi Namikiri while in combat. Consumes all stacks of Meditation upon execution.
Tengentsu Lv. 82 Ability	Reduces the amount of damage taken by the next attack by 10%. Duration: 4s Additional Effect: Grants Tengentsu's Foresight and increases Kenki Gauge by 10 when hit Tengentsu's Foresight Effect: Gradually restores your HP and reduces damage taken by 10% Duration: 9s Cure Potency: 200
Fuko Lv. 86 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 10
Kaeshi: Namikiri Lv. 90 Ability	Delivers a critical hit to all enemies in a cone before you with a potency of 900 for the first enemy, and 75% less for all remaining enemies. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Ogi Namikiri changes to Kaeshi: Namikiri when requirements for execution are met.
Ogi Namikiri Lv. 90 Weaponskill	Delivers a critical hit to all enemies in a cone before you with a potency of 900 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.
Gyofu Lv. 92 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 230. Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Zanshin Lv. 96 Ability	Delivers an attack to all enemies in a cone before you with a potency of 820 for the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Kenki Gauge Cost: 50 Can only be executed while under the effect of Zanshin Ready.

Samurai Iaijutsu

Action	Effect
Higanbana Lv. 30 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 50 Duration: 60s Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 Can only be executed after accumulating 1 Sen. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Iaijutsu changes to Higanbana when requirements for execution are met.
Tenka Goken Lv. 40 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 300 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Tsubame-gaeshi Ready Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 Can only be executed after accumulating 2 Sen. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Iaijutsu changes to Tenka Goken when requirements for execution are met.
Midare Setsugekka Lv. 50 Weaponskill	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 Tsubame-gaeshi Ready Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 Can only be executed after accumulating 3 Sen. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Iaijutsu changes to Midare Setsugekka when requirements for execution are met.
Kaeshi: Goken Lv. 76 Ability	Delivers an attack with a potency of 300 to all nearby enemies. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Tsubame-gaeshi changes to Kaeshi: Goken when requirements for execution are met.
Kaeshi: Setsugekka Lv. 76 Ability	Delivers a critical hit with a potency of 640. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Tsubame-gaeshi changes to Kaeshi: Setsugekka when requirements for execution are met.
Tendo Goken Lv. 100 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 410 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Tsubame-gaeshi Ready Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 Can only be executed while under the effect of Tendo, and after accumulating 2 Sen. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Iaijutsu changes to Tendo Goken when requirements for execution are met.
Tendo Kaeshi Goken Lv. 100 Weaponskill	Delivers an attack with a potency of 410 to all nearby enemies. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Tsubame-gaeshi changes to Tendo Kaeshi Goken when requirements for execution are met.
Tendo Kaeshi Setsugekka Lv. 100 Weaponskill	Delivers a critical hit with a potency of 1,020. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Tsubame-gaeshi changes to Tendo Kaeshi Setsugekka when requirements for execution are met.
Tendo Setsugekka Lv. 100 Weaponskill	Delivers a critical hit with a potency of 1,020. Damage dealt is increased when under an effect that raises critical hit rate. Additional Effect: Grants Tsubame-gaeshi Ready Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants a stack of Meditation, up to a maximum of 3 Can only be executed while under the effect of Tendo, and after accumulating 3 Sen. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Iaijutsu changes to Tendo Setsugekka when requirements for execution are met.

Samurai Traits

Action	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. Also grants Tsubame-gaeshi Ready after excecuting iaijutsu excluding Higanbana. Duration: 30s
Enhanced Meikyo Shisui Lv. 76	Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Meikyo Shisui. Maximum Charges: 2
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%.
Third Eye Mastery Lv. 82	Upgrades Third Eye to Tengentsu.
Way of the Samurai II Lv. 84	Increases the potency of Gekko, Kasha, and Yukikaze to 110.
Fuga Mastery Lv. 86	Upgrades Fuga to Fuko.
Enhanced Ikishoten Lv. 90	Grants Ogi Namikiri Ready upon execution of Ikishoten. Duration: 30s
Hakaze Mastery Lv. 92	Upgrades Hakaze to Gyofu.
Enhanced Hissatsu Lv. 94	Reduces Hissatsu: Guren and Hissatsu: Senei recast time to 60 seconds.
Way of the Samurai III Lv. 94	Increases the potency of Jinpu to 140, Shifu to 140, Enhanced Enpi to 270, Gekko to 160, Higanbana damage over time to 50, Kasha to 160, Yukikaze to 160, Midare Setsugekka to 640, Kaeshi: Setsugekka to 640, Shoha to 640, Ogi Namikiri to 900, and Kaeshi: Namikiri to 900.
Enhanced Ikishoten II Lv. 96	Grants Zanshin Ready upon executing Ikishoten. Duration: 30s
Enhanced Meikyo Shisui II Lv. 100	Grants Tendo upon executing Meikyo Shisui. Duration: 30s Tenka Goken changes to Tendo Goken and Midare Setsugekka changes to Tendo Setsugekka while under the effect of Tendo.

FFXIV Dawntrail Related Guides

List of FFXIV Jobs

All Job Guides

Tanks
PLD			WAR			DRK			GNB
Melee Physical DPS
DRG				MNK				NIN
SAM				RPR				VPR
Ranged Physical DPS
BRD				MCH				DNC
Ranged Magic DPS
BLM			SMN			RDM			PCT
Healers
WHM			SCH			AST			SGE