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Poised and civil, yet relentless in battle, the samurai serves as a formidable warrior and gentle soul. This is a classicDungeons & Dragonscharacter, even if your campaign’s setting does not seem oriented around them. They are skilled in the art of persuasion, they are wise souls, and yet they can still dominate opponents.
Related:Dungeons & Dragons: Ways To Gain Advantage
The samurai is in tune with the world around it, not just a machine for killing. They are civilized folk and remarkably well-rounded. Yet the classical ideas of the samurai should not limit you. The class is as versatile as they come, allowing flavor and handcrafting.
Samurai Features Overview
The samurai is a versatile subclass.Atthird level,when selecting this archetype, youchoose one extra skill proficiencybetweenHistory, Insight, Performance, or Persuasion.Options are geared towards the non-combat portions of D&D.
In fact, atseventhlevel,the samurai gainsElegant Courtier,which adds yourwisdom modifier to your persuasion checks.You also gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws,which, if already proficient, you can swap out for other options.
The samurai is also relentless.At third level, you also gainFighting Spirit.Fighting Spirit allows your samurai to become a formidable foe,granting both advantage and temporary hit points for your turn, up to three times a day.
The samurai playstyle relies on the Fighting Spirit ability. It is a powerful ability that can blend well with other options. Yet, this feature having limited uses means that you must be careful about when you use it.
That is fixed attenth levelwhen you gain theTireless Spirit feature. It allows you to regain one use of Fighting Spirit at the beginning of combat if you have none remaining.Therefore, you will never be in a combat scenario without the option to use it.
Level 15comes with theRapid Strikeability, meaning,if you have advantage on an attack roll against a target, you can discard the advantage and opt for an additional attack once per turn.
Atlevel 18,you’re able to momentarily cheat death with theStrength Before Deathfeature. With this feature,when you drop to zero hit points, you can immediately take a full turn without falling unconscious for the duration of your turn.Yet, once the turn is over, you do fall unconscious.
Best Samurai Ability Scores
You can build your samurai based aroundDexterity or Strength,and it will still be strong. Regardless, you will still wanthigh Constitution and decent Wisdom scores.
Keep in mind,Dexterity-based characters do not need strength, whereas Dexterity is still important for Strength-based characters.
A samurai also has no abilities that need Intelligence, and, can add their Wisdom modifier to their Persuasion checks,making Wisdom the most important mental ability score for samurai.
15
10
14
8
If you are playing aDexterity samurai,consider a point-buy spread similar to this:
12
Best Samurai Species
When choosing a Samurai, it is hard to choose a species that would hinder you. Yet, there are still some options that lend themselves better to the Samurai’s ways.
Dwarf (Hill)
As a Hill Dwarf,you gain one additional hit point per level.This, in addition to the+2 Constitutiona Hill Dwarf receives adds even more to the survivability of the samurai. The +1 Wisdom bonus also compliments the proficiency in Wisdom Saving Throws.
Dwarf (Mountain)
A+2 bonus to both Strength and Constitutionis useful for any strength-based samurai.
Half-Elf
The Half-Elf can also gain theElven Accuracyfeat and hasflexible ability score increases.Combined with theSkill Versatilityheritage trait, your Half-Elf samurai could fill many niches.
Kobold
If you want as many uses of advantage on attacks as possible, choose a Kobold. TheDraconic Cryability, allows you togive yourself and your team additional uses of advantage, equal to your proficiency bonus.
Related:Dungeons & Dragons: Half-Orc Species Guide
Best Feats For A Samurai
The samurai, being a type of fighter,gets seven ability score improvementsas you level up. As this is two more than most classes get, your Samurai can take advantage of feats much more than other classes.
Feats enhance not only your character’s combat capabilities, butcan make your characters more well-rounded outside of that. Keep in mind, sometimes having high ability scores in key stats can be more valuable than feats.Yet, with the two extra ability score improvements that a fighter gets, you have more than enough room to add them
Good feats for your character will depend on whether you are going with a Strength or Dexterity build. Keep that in mind when going through the following:
Elven Accuracy
As mentioned before, Elven Accuracy allows for you tohave double-advantage on any dexterity attack roll. This is fantastic for a Dexterity fighter who has many opportunities for advantage. The only reason not to take it is if you are not playing an Elven species.
Slasher
Slasher is a control optionfor your samurai.It works for both Strength and DexteritySamurai and canslow down your enemies and give them disadvantage.
Best Starting Equipment For A Samurai
When selecting your starting equipment,there is no right option. It all depends on the type of samurai you wish to play.
Between chain mail or leather armor and archery gear, it is very subjective. The latter option is great for a Dexterity-oriented character, but not for a frontliner
A samurai doesn’t rely on a high AC, so a shield is not necessary. Taking the two martial weapons might be better and more versatile, yet ultimately, it is a personal choice.
A ranged weapon is almost always a better choice compared to thrown weapons. Go with the crossbow. And a dungeoneer’s pack or explorers pack are very similar. Decide which gets the edge based on what you know about your adventure.
