Straight Swords for Samurai?

[Tsiron]

... or rather, more of them? Can't say I have a convincing argument ready for why they should, so I'll just say it's something I'd personally like if they did! Chinese Jian are one possibility (Seiryu uses one), as are European longswords! To my understanding, there's quite a bit of overlap between Katana and Longsword techniques, since they occupied a similar niche and all. I tried to express as much in the recent Weapon Design Contest by submitting some myself, we'll see how that pans out!

I know the job is called Samurai, which conjures up a specific aesthetic, but this is also a sci-fantasy game where swords and magic exist alongside mechas and Star Wars-looking gunships we're talking about. Our character is an adventurer who never stays put for long, so I don't think it feels out of character for them to choose more... unorthodox weaponry, right? They're no longer beholden to any teacher at this point either, having basically outperformed them all. And, at the end of the day, I think we can all agree the odds of them adding another sword DPS are slim to none at this point, so I feel like this isn't too much to ask? They're certainly not shy when it comes to giving others Katana-looking weapons, after all...

All that said, they had the perfect opportunity with Shadowbringers to slip us one or three more unconventional weapons and it either never occurred to them or did, and they chose not to (as the Crystarium Samurai Blade seems to suggest)?

But, hear me out... the First is a parallel world with its own history, and we spend a lot of time in areas such as Lakeland and Voeburt that were shown to have been more traditionally fantasy, with kingdoms and princesses and knights etc. so it's not inconceivable they could've developed and used (two-handed) longswords, as a knightly weapon that maybe never took off on the Source? The First's equivalent of the East is also long gone, so aside from a stray antique or two it kind of made no sense that there would be "katanas" dropping as loot... It's a shame they let the opportunity pass them by, but!

I've noticed they've started referring to SAM weapons as "Samurai Blades" or simply "Blades", which gives me hope that these less specific terms are going to be reflected in the sorts of weapon designs we get, also!

[Seraphor]

The Tsukuyomi Katana is straight. Not aware of any others.

[Tsiron]

The Tsukuyomi Katana is straight. Not aware of any others.

Yeah, there's... 3? at least. The rest also curve to varying degrees but overall it's very samey imo. It's a complaint I have with katanas in games in general, there's barely any variation

There are a few that look more cutlass like, and one of the Eden raid ones in particular is absolutely more western looking in style. They're not common, and they're not typical "longsword" style, but they do exist.

I'm not in ShB content yet, but I assume you're talking about this one? Very European-looking for sure!

[StriderShinryu]

There are a few that look more cutlass like, and one of the Eden raid ones in particular is absolutely more western looking in style. They're not common, and they're not typical "longsword" style, but they do exist.

[DPZ2]

Samurai use katanas, katanas have a more-or-less-fixed shape, the game is made in Japan.

Go figure the math.

Want a straight blade, become a Paladin.

[Haruka_R]

Samurai use katanas, katanas have a more-or-less-fixed shape, the game is made in Japan.

Go figure the math.

Want a straight blade, become a Paladin.

You're fun.

[Lanadra]

You're fun.

He's also right.

Anyway.. an arming sword does not fit a Samurai, so I stick with 'nah'.

[Tsiron]

Yay~
I know the contest says you can't (or was it shouldn't) share your entries, but after the results can you post your art here?
I'd love to see them~

The phrasing is weird but I'm assuming what

Please refrain from sharing your artworks publicly until the winners are announced, in order to protect your Entry.

is getting at is don't post it online while the contest is ongoing...? Submissions are closed now, though, and I've seen people post theirs on social media already, so I think it's fine...? Scratch that, looks like they deleted their tweet.

He's also right.

Anyway.. an arming sword does not fit a Samurai, so I stick with 'nah'.

Katanas and longswords are really not as different (in terms of use) as you think, especially in the context of a fantasy game where most everything goes. The odds of them adding a dedicated "longsword" Job is close to none, since it would be superfluous, so I don't think this is too much to ask? They're certainly not shy when it comes to giving others Katana-looking weapons, after all...

[RamKat]

The phrasing is weird but I'm assuming what

Please refrain from sharing your artworks publicly until the winners are announced, in order to protect your Entry.

is getting at is don't post it online while the contest is ongoing...? Submissions are closed now, though, and I've seen people post theirs on social media already, so I think it's fine...? Scratch that, looks like they deleted their tweet.

Based on reading the rules, it seems to me that there isn't a restriction, just a suggestion to avoid posting for our own benefit. I'm guessing they are worried about people trying to steal the art or claim later it was their own art that was stolen etc...

If you look at the portion this appears in all of the other bullets say "must" instead of please. BUT with that said, I have seen a few people post, but most have either deleted or were erring on the side of caution to begin with by avoiding posting.

I will say tho, I saw one person post 4 different submissions that all appeared to be for straight Samurai swords! Although I don't see it now so I'm guessing they deleted as well.

[TheMightyMollusk]

Before katanas were invented, samurai did use straight swords, called chokuto. It's not completely out of the realm of possibility.

Of course, they also used a variety of other weapons (spears, various polearms, bows, even rifles), but those are covered by other jobs in the game.