Thread: SAM: anything you would add/remove for 5.0?

Only fight without a cast bar I've managed to get it right every time so far is beginning of the second phase in Shinryu EX.

It does have a castbar. Look at enmity list.

Aggro dump : YES PLEASE. It always frustrates me when PUG co-tank refuses for some reason to circle-Shirk, as our SAM enmity always creeps way too fast and we have no NIN.

If we're looking forward for 5.0 and what we might get (or might want)...

- Obviously, some sort of nutso 100 Kenki ability. I'd prefer a buff, or a damage based oGCD that gives a buff. I was surprised we didn't have one on release. Alternatively, make a trait for when you hit 100 Kenki, some effect triggers.

- I want an ability that removes cast times for a short period of time. Something akin to Triplecast. Maybe 10 seconds or so instead of 'charges' that are depleted.

- Some kind of way to double up on your Sen, or hold your Sen when casting an Iaijutsu. For example, you'd still need 3 Sen for Midare, but if said ability was active, using Midare wouldn't consume them at all.

- I don't think SAM needs party-buffs, but... SAM needs something to keep it competitive for progression and performance party comps. SAM is kind of a joke in PF right now, it's mostly NIN and DRG spots, with MNK being another viable option.

As for what I'd want them to remove, or change...

- I want them to back off of Shinten spam and Hagakure's importance in the rotation. I want them to focus more on the Midare/Guren, "Hit really freaking hard" abilities. I want Hagakure to be more of an "Invigorate" kind of cooldown. One you use as needed, rather than as a core mechanic of the rotation.

- ALTERNATIVELY... Change Hagakure to a static amount of Kenki gain, instead of requiring Sen. Hagakure gives the rotation a decent bit of variation, and it also gives SAM an interesting skill-based choice for, "Burst" or "Sustained", or "Stationary" or "Mobile" Kenki usage based on boss uptime/jumps. It's making a 'resource' out of Sen though, and I think Kenki does that job well enough without Hagakure.

- Also, like everyone else here, either push better implementation of Third-Eye (and Merciful Eyes/ Seigan), or just remove it. Preferably the former, because it is a cool idea for a skill.

either push better implementation of Third-Eye (and Merciful Eyes/ Seigan), or just remove it

Why remove? It feels somewhat underwhelming in numbers, but other than that works ok.

Originally Posted by MahoSenshi

Why remove? It feels somewhat underwhelming in numbers, but other than that works ok.

It's not that it doesn't work. I'd just say that 3 buttons that hardly affect much of anything aren't worth having. In the future, they'll either have to continue pruning skills, or they'll have to find some genius way to keep introducing new skills/abilities each expac. This is the first on the chopping block, in my opinion. Again, I think they could better implement it (kind of like how it was pre-launch), so it's not like they'd have to remove it. Keep in mind, at the media tour events, Third-Eye was 20% damage reduction, and Merciful Eyes was a 500 potency heal. I think, considering SAM's non-popularity in parties because of how little it brings, there's nothing wrong with us having that.

COIN TOSS!!

Kiddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!

XD

Personally, I'd be happy if they made Seigan/Merciful Eyes more substantial for the timing requirements/kenki cost. Or make Seigan kenki-free, but keep the Open eyes req.

Originally Posted by Llugen

I haven't finished leveling SAM to 70 but what I've heard from my static's SAM is that it is in mostly a good place currently, but with other jobs creeping up on it (SMN) it could use some love.

Parties don't want to bring jobs that offer nothing (yes, nothing. Again, raw damage is not stronger than utility + damage as far as the party is concerned), so no job should offer nothing. The adage is good in theory but terribly flawed in practice.

My 30-50k midare crits, 15k kasha and gekko crits (all unbuffed) would beg to differ... there is a reason SAM is untouched by buffs or nerfs... I've never seen SAM not welcome in a party of any size.... and I've not seen anyone on the forums really calling for drastic changes... so I don't really see any need to add more to it...

I would like some change to the duration of Third Eye. I'd say start with five seconds and no further changes to see how that worked. I'd like more damage on Seigan, but I could live with it being kept the same. What I would like is for in the form of some sort of utility that debuffs the target so it's still different from other classes buffing the party. I'd really like to see some aesthetic changes. Have the samurai wear a long and short sword like real samurai. The short sword doesn't have to do anything most of the time, but for the skills in 5.0, it could make use of both of them, say for a 100 kenki move or the level 80 ability. Though having it work with Guren would be cool, both blades drawing the X.

Originally Posted by Okamimaru

My 30-50k midare crits, 15k kasha and gekko crits (all unbuffed) would beg to differ... there is a reason SAM is untouched by buffs or nerfs... I've never seen SAM not welcome in a party of any size.... and I've not seen anyone on the forums really calling for drastic changes... so I don't really see any need to add more to it...

Sam's high personal dps is great. But their lack of utility puts them in the bottom half for rDPS. So for groups looking to do speed runs or just maximize damage potential of their entire group, samurai is the least desirable melee dps. I do think they are fairly balanced for damage and should not be buffed or nerfed though. And am fine with the place they are in. But just saying you have big crit numbers doesn't really mean anything. Also, calling BS on your 50k unbuffed midare crit.