Returning player, what are good subjobs for Samurai?

[OgreBattle]

I'm returning to XI after a long hiatus. Only made it to level 40 or so the last time with samurai.

What subjobs are expected of samurai nowadays?
Could a samurai/dancer solo through the story content?

I'm interested in completing the story y'see. And killing stuff in parties later on.

[Mirage]

Warrior for damage, dancer for survival.

almost anything/dnc can solo through most the story content, with the exception of a few fights which might require a bit more healing power, or some sort of crowd control that you can't get with sam/dnc.

If you want to be an even more powerful soloer though, dnc/nin or nin/dnc

[Ryce]

/WAR for best damage and Provoke if needed.
/DNC for soloing, Campaign, etc. Violent Flourish (stun) is a huge help too at later levels.
/NIN for if you're just tagging along. I prefer /DNC 9 times out of 10, but if there is plenty of healing in the group, I go /NIN and use my TP for damage.

I wish there were some more exotic choices, but nothing comes to mind. Rarely I'll use /THF if i'm hoping for lootz, but TH2 will only take you so far. /WAR will be a big help if you play SAM in Abyssea, as you can get some important weapon skills on sword, polearm, etc.

[OgreBattle]

More exotic... like /drg? Hahah. I used it briefly at low levels, it was cool to Jump with a big ol' Katana, or spear.

[Dirtyfinger]

I find any other sub apart from /WAR too much of a drop in dot to be worthwhile, and I'd rather go a different job if I didn't have access to it.

/DNC is ok I guess, but as it's more solo orientated there's far more better jobs to 'solo' on.

[Arcon]

/DRG used to be good when capping Haste was still an issue, which is not really the case anymore. /WAR pretty much all the way, and /DNC to solo. /THF is actually good for farming, if it's low level mobs and you don't require much healing, or are just after one specific item. TH2 is actually a great jump from TH0, more so than from TH2 to TH10. That's why this combination actually works quite well.

[Glacont]

I use:

Warrior = For Max Damage.
Dancer = Mainly for Campaign, solo, Dynamis Proc.
Ninja = Before DNC was out this was My choice sub, when mages complain about thier mana pool. Or when I am force to tank. I still use it from time to time.

Dragoon = With a Wyvern earring, polearm and My Usukane set, I use to burn through colibris. If I was lucky a BRD & RDM is present to push Me further [Double March/ Haste]

Thief = I never like this sub, but if You're the only TH or the Tank needed enmity then its a must on your part. The spike damage is impressive, but still I am not a fan of this sub.

Ranger = Soboro Sukeshiro; Relic & AF3 Set. This is approach is considered outdate for some. I enjoyed spaming sidewinder, when it landed. Perhaps one day it will be brought back to the forefront.

All in all, when it comes to selecting a subjob it depends upon what You're after:

Damage, Survival, utility, or fun factor.

[Delvish]

Fun-factors all the way!