Samurai Rotation in Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood
The Samurai is one of the two new Jobs introduced in Final Fantasy XIV’s latest expansion, Stormblood. As a DPS class, the Samurai is currently one of the best ones available, but getting a hang of the Sen gauge and the various rotations needed to activate them can take a while to get a hang of.
First off, the three Sen stacks allow you to perform three different Iaijutsu moves, depending on how many you’ve got. One Sen lets you perform Higanbana, a 60 second DoT move. Two Sen lets you perform Tenka Goken, an AoE attack that hits enemies in a cone in front of you. Lastly, three Sen lets you perform Midare Setsugekka, an attack with a potency of 720.
Do note that you have to perform three different kinds of rotations in order to stack up your Sen. This means that you can’t repeat the same rotation three times to get them. Listed below are the various rotations you can use to gain the different Sen.
Getsu (Purple): Hakaze, Jinpu, Gekko, or Fuga, Mangetsu
Ka (Red): Hakaze, Shifu, Kasha, or Fuga, Oka
Setsu (Blue): Hakaze, Yukikaze
Depending on whether you’re dealing with a singular enemy or a mob, your main rotation as a Samurai will change as well. Listed below is my preferred rotation for single enemies, though your order might change depending on your own preferences.
- Hakaze, Yukikaze, Higanbana, Hakaze, Jinpu, Gekko, Hakaze, Shifu, Kasha, Hakaze, Yukikaze, Midare Setsugekka
This rotation lets you apply the slashing resistance buff right from the start with Yukikaze, followed by the DoT with Higanbana. After that, the following two combos with Jinpu and Shifu will help to increase your damage dealt and lower your weaponskill cast time.
And here’s my preferred rotation for dealing with mobs.
- Fuga, Mangetsu, Fuga, Oka, Tenka Goken
However, do take note that this rotation will drain your TP extremely quickly. This can be alleviated slightly with the Invigorate skill, but only use this rotation when you really need to.
If you need to execute combo skills quickly but don’t have the time to go through each combo rotation individually, the Samurai also has access to an ability called Meikyo Shisui. After activating it, you can execute up to three combo skills to gain Sen. This is a great way of quickly applying a DoT, or executing your AoE attack and Midare Setsugekka. There is a cooldown timer, though, so be aware of that as well.
One last thing you need to learn about the Samurai is the Kenki gauge. This gauge fills up whenever you execute combo skills properly, and it gives you access to additional skills and enhances your attacks. Hissatsu: Kaiten, for instance, is great for pairing up with Midare Setsugekka as it increases the potency by 50%. There are other skills like Yaten and Gyoten, which allow you to backstep after an attack and rush towards an opponent for an attack respectively.
The most important thing about being a Samurai in Stormblood is knowing how to manage your Sen gauge and memorizing the necessary combos to build it up. It all sounds complicated on paper, but once you’ve actually had some hands-on time with the new Job yourself, you’ll get a hang of it in no time.
Be sure to check back with Twinfinite for more tips, tricks, and information on Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood.
