Samurai Tank...

[Claire_Pendragon]

No, DPs is dps is dps. There is no more reason to add it anymore than someone wants a tank that uses a hammer except you know some people really think "HAMMERS ARE AWESOME"

There is no reason to add anything, other than "people want it".

Your argument's logic would just be used against you with any counter point you would then try to make.

they'd fit DRG's maiming armor better. But also, I can't picture SAM having positionals from flank/rear as anything other than a frontal fair-and-square attack violates the code of bushido and is seen as dishonorable.

This is actually the coolest idea I've heard for SAM.
Make them attack from the front!
Add like 10 potency to all attacks if they are done from the front.

The SAM would have to dodge cleaves when possible, but instead of offensive CDs like Blood for Blood, they would get defensive CDs to survive the boss cleaves.

DRG was alrdy able to take hits from some EX primals, as they were used as OTs by the japanese before.
So this alone would be extremely interesting to pull off.
(Their only offensive CD should apply the 10 potency to all attacks, regardless of your current position.)
To make up for their near tank like defenses, they would need to lack AoE potential, and something that hinders their threat potential. (such as adding to the defensive CDs a lower threat generated or cut current threat, to avoid them MTing.)