FFXIV Dawntrail 7.05 (FF14)

Samurai Unlock and Starting Level Guide

FFXIV - Samurai Job Overview Banner

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)
FFXIV - Red Mage IconRed Mage FFXIV - Samurai IconSamurai

Patch 7.05 Changes

Received Tweaks in Patch 7.05

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

Samurai Information
Role Melee Physical DPS (Striking)
Initial Class None
Unlock Conditions Quest Name: The Way of the Samurai
Job Requirements: Lv. 50+ Disciple of War/Disciple of Magic
NPC:Ul'dahn Citizen
・Ul'dah - Steps of Nald
(Coordinates / X:9.2 Y:9.1)

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 Icon Kasha Hakaze Icon Hakaze
【Lvl.92】 Gyofu Icon Gyofu
Shifu Icon Shifu
Kasha Icon Kasha
FFXIV - Ka SenKa
Gekko Icon Gekko Hakaze Icon Hakaze
【Lvl.92】 Gyofu Icon Gyofu
Jinpu Icon Jinpu
Gekko Icon Gekko
FFXIV - Getsu SenGetsu
Yukikaze Icon Yukikaze Hakaze Icon Hakaze
【Lvl.92】 Gyofu Icon Gyofu
Yukikaze Icon Yukikaze
FFXIV - Setsu SenSetsu

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

Combo Buffs

Combo Buffs
Fuga Icon Fuga
Fuko Icon Fuko 【Lvl.86】
Oka Icon Oka Fuka
Reduces Global CD by 10% for 40 seconds.
Increase to 13%
Mangetsu Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon Iaijutsu FFXIV - Ka SenActivated Ka Higanbana Icon Higanbana
FFXIV - Ka SenActivated Ka FFXIV - Getsu SenActivate Getsu Tenka Goken Icon Tenka Goken
【Lvl.100】 Tendo Goken Icon Tendo Goken Tendo Kaeshi Goken Icon Tendo Kaeshi Goken
FFXIV - Ka SenActivated Ka FFXIV - Getsu SenActivated GetsuFFXIV - Setsu SenActivated Setsu Midare Setsugekka Icon Midare Setsugekka
【Lvl.100】 Tendo Setsugekka Icon Tendo Setsugekka
Hagakure Icon 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 Icon Tsubame-gaeshi
Kaeshi: Goken Icon Kaeshi: Goken
Tendo Kaeshi Goken Icon Tendo Kaeshi Goken
Kaeshi: Setsugekka Icon Kaeshi: Setsugekka
Tendo Kaeshi Setsugekka Icon 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

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

FFXVI - Kenki with MeditationKenki Gauge with Meditation Gauge【Lvl.80】
Shoha Icon 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 Icon Third Eye Tengentsu Icon 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 Icon Hakaze
Lv. 1
Weaponskill
Delivers an attack with a potency of 200.
Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Jinpu Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon Hissatsu: Shinten
Lv. 52
Ability
Delivers an attack with a potency of 250.
Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
Hissatsu: Gyoten Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon Hissatsu: Kyuten
Lv. 62
Ability
Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all nearby enemies.
Kenki Gauge Cost: 25
Hagakure Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon Gyofu
Lv. 92
Weaponskill
Delivers an attack with a potency of 230.
Additional Effect: Increases Kenki Gauge by 5
Zanshin Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 Icon 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 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.
Also grants Tsubame-gaeshi Ready after excecuting iaijutsu excluding Higanbana.
Duration: 30s
Enhanced Meikyo Shisui Icon Enhanced Meikyo Shisui
Lv. 76
Allows the accumulation of charges for consecutive uses of Meikyo Shisui.
Maximum Charges: 2
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%.
Third Eye Mastery Icon Third Eye Mastery
Lv. 82
Upgrades Third Eye to Tengentsu.
Way of the Samurai II Icon Way of the Samurai II
Lv. 84
Increases the potency of Gekko, Kasha, and Yukikaze to 110.
Fuga Mastery Icon Fuga Mastery
Lv. 86
Upgrades Fuga to Fuko.
Enhanced Ikishoten Icon Enhanced Ikishoten
Lv. 90
Grants Ogi Namikiri Ready upon execution of Ikishoten.
Duration: 30s
Hakaze Mastery Icon Hakaze Mastery
Lv. 92
Upgrades Hakaze to Gyofu.
Enhanced Hissatsu Icon Enhanced Hissatsu
Lv. 94
Reduces Hissatsu: Guren and Hissatsu: Senei recast time to 60 seconds.
Way of the Samurai III Icon 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 Icon Enhanced Ikishoten II
Lv. 96
Grants Zanshin Ready upon executing Ikishoten.
Duration: 30s
Enhanced Meikyo Shisui II Icon 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
FFXIV - Paladin (PLD) Icon PLD FFXIV - Warrior (WAR) Icon WAR FFXIV - Dark Knight (DRK) Icon DRK FFXIV - Gunbreaker (GNB) Icon GNB
Melee Physical DPS
FFXIV - Dragoon (DRG) Icon DRG FFXIV - Monk (MNK) Icon MNK FFXIV - Ninja (NIN) Icon NIN
FFXIV - Samurai (SAM) Icon SAM FFXIV - Reaper (RPR) Icon RPR FFXIV - Viper (VPR) Icon VPR
Ranged Physical DPS
FFXIV - Bard (BRD) Icon BRD FFXIV - Machinist (MCH) Icon MCH FFXIV - Dancer (DNC) Icon DNC
Ranged Magic DPS
FFXIV - Black Mage (BLM) Icon BLM FFXIV - Summoner (SMN) Icon SMN FFXIV - Red Mage (RDM) Icon RDM FFXIV - Pictomancer (PCT) Icon PCT
Healers
FFXIV - White Mage (WHM) Icon WHM FFXIV - Scholar (SCH) Icon SCH FFXIV - Astrologian - (AST) - Icon AST FFXIV - Sage (SGE) Icon SGE

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