Samurai 5.0 changes, feedback/suggestions

[Valenth]

The one change I would put for Shoha is that the dmg scaling is reversed. Aka make the first tick a 200 potency one, and scaling it less with each tick to 500 at the 5th one. This makes it favorable to use still (since if you time it right, you can get a single tick of meditate off during regular combat in between GCD's) and make it have that super 500 potency 'oomph' factor in long boss fights with breaks in them.

[Gruntler]

The reason Shoha is level 80 is because you're -very- likely to be able to use a double-iajutsu in the level 77 and 79 dungeons, but it's highly unlikely you'll use meditate in the level 77 or 79 dungeons.

You're -very- likely to use meditate in Primals or Raids, where such downtimes commonly occur. Would you give up the ability to double iaijutsu for shoha in levelling?

Didn't think so.

But Shoha is really good. If I told you 'Do 815 potency in your first gcd after downtime ends on a boss fight' any samurai worth their salt would appreciate that.

Well, that's what Shoha does.

[Leonus]

If I told you 'Do 815 potency.

I agree with what you said.. but where did you get this potency? Did I miss something? I don't mind shoha at all, sure it might not see much use, but it incentivized me to use meditate (I already did) during downtime.

Though, if you can clip the animation, even better. Shoha, to Iaijutsu.

[mosaicex]

I agree with what you said.. but where did you get this potency? Did I miss something? I don't mind shoha at all, sure it might not see much use, but it incentivized me to use meditate (I already did) during downtime.

Though, if you can clip the animation, even better. Shoha, to Iaijutsu.

Hakaze + Full stack Shoha = (180 + 500) = 680

But he also included 12% damage buff from Jinpu (6̶8̶0̶ ̶*̶ ̶1̶.̶2̶ ̶=̶ ̶8̶1̶6̶ Edit: Nevermind I can't into math, it's only 680 * 1.12 = 761) which will most likely already dropped off if you somehow managed to get full stacks of Meditation during downtime, for some reason.

Not that you should immediately use Shoha after down time anyway since you're unlikely to get to use them more than once (at least at full potency) in each fight, so might as well wait for the raid burst window.

[Leonus]

Hakaze + Full stack Shoha = (180 + 500) = 680

But he also included 12% damage buff from Jinpu (6̶8̶0̶ ̶*̶ ̶1̶.̶2̶ ̶=̶ ̶8̶1̶6̶ Edit: Nevermind I can't into math, it's only 680 * 1.12 = 761) which will most likely already dropped off if you somehow managed to get full stacks of Meditation during downtime, for some reason.

Not that you should immediately use Shoha after down time anyway since you're unlikely to get to use them more than once (at least at full potency) in each fight, so might as well wait for the raid burst window.

Ah, adding dmg modifiers/buffs makes sense.

[cactuarzzzz]

My wish for Meditate change/improvement

Gain 1 stack of meditate every 1 second while under the effect of meditate.

Grant 1 buff depend on number of stacks when stop meditate. Buff last 10 seconds

1 stack = Ensure Next Weapon Skill/Ability will be a Direct Hit

2 stacks = Ensure Next Weapon Skill/Ability will be a Critical Hit

3 stacks = Ensure Next Weapon Skill/Ability will be a Critical Direct Hit

[Sylvain]

I've been playing Samurai since 4.0, (played NIN in HW) and I've really loved how it plays. The only thing I can complain about it right now is that it doesn't do enough dps to compete w/ the other melee's utility. Other than that it's fun and satisfying to play!

I agree, we had a SAM in our static group and while she performed very well, had very decent parse etc etc, we all agreed, that was a tad bit too low compared to what others could do a bring. We had very high hope in 4.4 fr, but hey, it was better than nothing I guess

-Hagakure being replaced by a CD that gives you a flat 50 kenki at no cost. While this is a buff to our actual dps, hagakure was what made SAM's rotation interesting. It was perfect for managing sen. Coming back to the boss after downtime/starting a dungeon pull with 2 to 3 sen is really clunky.

I think the reasoning is that Shinten feels less impactful than Midare. Many new player playing SAM didn't understand the use of Hagakure because in their eyes, Shinten < Midare.
In other words, they don't see how strong the fact that it was an ogcd is. This lead to many SAM under performing (yes, I agree, they could read a guide).
From my experience with virtually everyone who attempted SAM casually (like, not as a main job), nearly everyone didn't get the point of that CD and were always "but isn't it better to do Midare?"

So this was done, I believe, to make SAM feel more... intuitive. Everyone starting the job understand the importance of keeping the buffs and DoT up, that positional = kenki = more damage (altough many don't even notice it). But there's one thing that elude most new SAM, and it was Hagakure.

So yes, it will make the rotation less interesting, and that's unfortunate. But I don't think it's a bad change, like increasing Astral/Umbral stance duration from 12s to 15s will make the rotation/management more simple for BLM, I welcome the change if that means more BLM not shying away.

-Seigan still exists. It's such a minor dps gain, and having to be damaged to use it is silly imo. I would rather it be removed.

Well this one is a tricky one. On one hand, you can't realistically make it hit too hard as it would mean SAM performe better in high damage situation.
Removing it would also make Third Eye only "combo" into Mercifull Eye which is fine for solo play but that's about it...
I don't know what they could do with it, buff it and it's broken (or worse, you need to take it into account into your dps rotation meaning that SAM underperform in easy fight), nerf it and it's not even useful.
Perhaps turning it more into a utility tool would be a great solution or giving more combo options.
Like making Merciful Eye an AoE with a 1min CD. I mean, that would have been quite useful on OS12 during HW or Bog... (it's not like Seigan was a game changer anyway)

-How shoha functions. The ability is super underwhelming especially for how cool the animation is. The amount of times you can get a full meditate off is pretty rare, and I don't like the idea of a skill that gets better if there's more downtime. There's a lot of suggestions on how to fix this skill in this thread: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...rai-Lv80-Skill.

One thing I want to suggest is having meditate being reworked. Instead of it being a channeled ability to use during downtime, it could just be a buff that works similarly. It could give kenki, and stacks that last until you use shoha, or just allow you to use it a flat potency. The amount of kenki you get per tick might need to be adjusted, but the ability would be more useful overall. Also the red glow could cover the katana after meditate is over, and would go away as you use shoha. That would be super satisfying as a level 80 skill.

I agree that it's a very underwhelming lv80 skill, as ... not usable in most fight.
Personally I think the best would simply be to tie it to the main rotation on top of its current effect. For instance, every time you complete a combo sequence you get a stack. (or whenever you use Laijutsu). Making it usable when there are no downtime.
And then on top of it you can use meditation during downtime.

[Duskane]

do agree Shoha needs to be changed some how
also Third eye and its mechanics also seem extremely minor now

[Khalen_Shield]

What I wonder is, will SAM be shoved out of Meta for NIN or DRG.

[Ryaz]

What I wonder is, will SAM be shoved out of Meta for NIN or DRG.

Ninja will always be META as long as it has Trick Attack. Drg won't be as desired as before with the loss of the piercing debuff.