How to I optimize my opener and rotation as Samurai?

[Chronons]

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If you follow the 35 rule, you will always have at least 10 Kenki. Meaning if you are at 35 and use Shinten(25) you are left with 10. That means you can use Hakakaze(+5 Kenki) > Shifu or Jinpu (+5 Kenki either way) and have the 20 Kenki required for a Kaiten > Midare. So for example: You have 3 sen and 35 kenki. If you use a Shinten you will be reduced to 10 Kenki. You need 20 to Kaiten buff the Midare. You can Hakakaze > Jinpu to generate the needed 10 Kenki, use Kaiten > Midare, then finish the combo with Gekko to get another sen.
Note - If you use Shinten at below 35 you will have to use more than two gcds to generate that 20 Kenki that you need to Kaiten buff the Midare. Meaning you are using Gekko/Kasha/Yukikaze even though you already have the sen for that combo.
So in regards to the first question, you want to do both. The goal of the 35 rule is to make sure you can Kaiten buff every one of your Midare and give you the most Shinten possible.


Use Guren as it is available, it is one of the few things that are a more efficient use of Kenki than Shinten. If its about to come off cooldown make sure you have the Kenki to use - watch the Shinten spam.

Generally speaking no, using the 3 sen for Hagakura is better. But Hagakura has a long cooldown so you will be using Midare every time you get to 3 sen and Hagakura isn't ready.
Caveat - If for some reason you need a spike in dps NOW, you can use the Midare instead of the Hagakura. Few examples being: fight is about over, trick attack is up, add needs to die asap.