SAMURAI SHOWDOWN

[Nalien]

The idea of a RDM/RUN tank just doesn't sound entirely new to be honest. Those classes use swords and magic, yeah, but so do PLD and DRK. If we look at the big picture and assume that SE doesn't intend leave them where they're at, we can assume that they'll continue to get refinement into their FF-stereotypes.

Well, I think Red Mage has to use a Epee type weapon, which while technically a sword, I'd say it would benefit from piercing rather than slashing... Rune Fencer? Eh... If we clone XI sure, that's just Dark Knight, but why not do something different? Have them actually use Runes as weapons, somewhat similar to Astrologian I guess...

I still think Blue Mage would be the ideal next tank though, and that has plenty of weapons types to choose from... Maces, Rods, Whips, Forks... There is potential there for it to be visibly and mechanically different from existing tanks...

I think a dual-katana wielding SAM brings much more variety to tanking classes.

While it would be a tank, wouldn't that be too similar to Ninja? Two eastern themed Jobs dual wielding blades... and don't get me started on how disappointing dual wielding is at the moment anyway, Paladin has it right, Ninja sucks and Thancred got it right in 3.1... I want to equip two weapons, not one weapon that just clones itself in the offhand...

I'd quite like Samurai to mainly use a bow, personally... Bow in the main hand, Dexterity as the main stat, Katana in the offhand slot... That can be a DPS or tank TBH, I think Ranging/Scouting gear is more thematically appropriate for Samurai... A few Fending sets are, but most really aren't... Mostly the Law sets, but I think the Ranging Law set is perfect for Samurai... Similar thing with the Blue Mage suggestion (Clerics Stance style ability for tanking), but a ranged tank, even if it isn't tanking at range, would be somewhat different IMO... It would be really great at pulls and grabbing adds for example... Obviously it has the Katana as well, but I'd reserve that for "special" attacks, your typical flashy Samurai attacks rather than the meat of their combos... Either a true ranged DPS, rather than a weak ranged DPS with MP/TP Songs, or a ranged tank... /shrugs I can expand on that concept if anyone wants, this is a thread about Samurai, rather than physical/magical tanks, after all...