Samurai Weapon: Nodachi or basic katana

[Jonnycbad]

Samurai will not get a bow for the same reason why BLM don't get daggers, BRD doesn't get a flute, DRG doesn't get swords etc. One weapon type per class. The exception is BLM and WHM that get both single and two handed weapons but they've streamlined it in 3.0 and no new 1-handed weapons will be made moving forward for them.

Also, blm and whm use different weapons. WHM 90% of the time uses a wand or staff made from untreated wood. BLM use metal rods that usually have a gem or crystal on them. It was explained in their job quests.

[Cakekizyy]

In FF XI, ninja used small katanas. Since they don't here, maybe samurai could use both large and small.

[Laerune]

Maybe they could turn the wakizashi into a skill? Rogue/Ninja wield daggers(short sword to be honest), yet they have skills where they throw little daggers, this could also work for the Samurai. I think if we follow FF history then the weapon should be a nodachi, but my inner anime-fanboy wants the normal katana that anime characters wield in combat.

[Starkbeaumont]

a Naginata

[ChocoFeru]

Katana and Bow like a true Samurai (FFXI style).

Maybe even making it shoot mounted!

[Nalien]

Katana and Bow like a true Samurai (FFXI style).

Maybe even making it shoot mounted!

Every time this topic comes up, I always suggest a Dexterity based Bow-Samurai... I believe Yoshida said he wanted a more cloth-based Samurai, rather than the old heavy armor set XI saw, and stuff like the Serpent Elite Jerkin and Yasha Dogi of Aiming are perfect fits for Samurai, IMO...

It would also be nice to have a true physical ranged DPS, since both Bard and Machinist have been butchered in the name of having a "support" class... Rather than directional bonuses on combos, Samurai could have ranged based requirements, so you're more mobile than Bard/Machinist, with the combo finishers being flashy katana based attacks at close range... It would have to have a katana of course, no problem though, just work it like Paladin; Bow in the main hand, katana in the offhand... Could also always flip that around and make it a tank with a blade in the main hand and bow offhand, would be a shame to go back to tanks with ranged attacks that make no sense... Would downplay the bow aspect somewhat I guess, and Samurai would end up in VIT gear, unless SE listens to me and starts giving us more freedom with gear and roles... I'd want Blue Mage as a tank then though, wearing the same INT gear as Black Mage and Summoner, that way rather than gearing up a tank and only being able to play tanks at that item level, I can pick between two roles with my gear...

I think my only problem would be that Bard has already gotten Yoichi Bow... Then again, Warrior stole Ragnarok from Dark Knight, and the lore even acknowledges that Ragnarok should have been a great sword... Really have to wonder who OK'd that, given Dark Knight was on the table at the time...

[Ashewalker]

You guys are so focused in wanting a two handed dps or even a sword dps in general that you forget that Samurai is and always has been Parry and Counter focused, which means Tank, which is where i would like Samurai to be.

If any sword type dps is to be added, please, a Fencer or even Red Mage with rapiers, even i would be happy with just Fencer, it makes more sense than Samurai.

[ChocoFeru]

You guys are so focused in wanting a two handed dps or even a sword dps in general that you forget that Samurai is and always has been Parry and Counter focused, which means Tank, which is where i would like Samurai to be.

If any sword type dps is to be added, please, a Fencer or even Red Mage with rapiers, even i would be happy with just Fencer, it makes more sense than Samurai.

But Samurais always were archers on a horse with a katana for melee combat D:

FFXI Samurai was designed to be a tank and ended up being a DPS, and NIN was designed to be a DPS and ended up being a tank.

Yoshi-P already said that was looking for a 2h tank, and decided DRK as tank, so SAM will probably be a DPS.

[Ashewalker]

But Samurais always were archers on a horse with a katana for melee combat D:

FFXI Samurai was designed to be a tank and ended up being a DPS, and NIN was designed to be a DPS and ended up being a tank.

Yoshi-P already said that was looking for a 2h tank, and decided DRK as tank, so SAM will probably be a DPS.

Still, it can be another 2h tank, with a diferent weapon and a diferent tanking style, remember that in 4.0 they probably will add another tank dps and healer. although would be nice to see a tank with another type of weapon, there isn't one that would fit, unless you go with beastmaster and that is pet controling... which i do not think it fits the tank role.

And when you said it was designed to be a tank, why do you think that is? It's because in Final Fantasy in general, Samurais are Tanks, to put it as a dps you need to redesign it heavily, and move away from the original idea of a Samurai. And they can use a bow as a non equipable weapon, think of it as a the ranged enmity skill. Like bards, they have a harp which they use for a certain amount of skills, it would not stop a Samurai from using a bow.

[Ultimatecalibur]

You guys are so focused in wanting a two handed dps or even a sword dps in general that you forget that Samurai is and always has been Parry and Counter focused, which means Tank, which is where i would like Samurai to be.

... No. The only version that is counter attack heavy is the Swordmaster in Bravely Default. Zeninage/Giltoss (throw money for massive damage), Shiradori/Blade Grasp (an evasion boost/parry chance) and Iainuki/Oblivion/Shin-Zantetsu (all target instant kill) are the most commonly recurring abilities for the Samurai.