[Amidaes]

well since we are all tired complaining, i would like to state that i like blueberry cheescake with ice cream

[Kayoto]

Khalea :
Oh, and rangers get A- in bows and marksmanship Kayoto... no Arching/Heavy until 66 and we have to wait until like 72 or 73 to work on Quest WS. I think WAR can do freaking Retribution (yes, staff) at the same level or sooner than we can get ours ><;

Oh.. I didn't know they had A- skill. ;

[Kayoto]

I edited the guide a little bit with some equipment removed/replaced, and other tiny edits. Also.. bump. <.< It'd be nice if this could get stickied. ; ;

[Beans]

very good, lots of work whent into this. good job. /praise

[Emurei]

Bump

ummm can we get this thing sticky ^^ please?

[Sotatale]

Sticky Sticky Sticky this PLEASE!

[IoriYagami]

Kayoto :
I've researched quite a bit into this topic, and I've had quite a bit of HNM experience.. so I thought I'd write up a bit on what I've found. Let's start from one of the most basic decisions to make:

Sub-Job Choices
This field has quite a bit of debate circulating around it among Samurai. There are only so many viable options, though, among which include: Warrior, Thief, Ranger, Ninja, White Mage [very few instances]. I'll cover each one of these in-depth, and in the order I've stated.

Warrior: Although SAM/WAR is generally effective in most EXP parties, for the entire level range of 1-75, it's not quite as useful in HNM fights. SAM/WAR does fine against most of the lesser HNMs (Serket, Simurgh, Roc, Behemoth, etc.), but against Gods and HNMs that are actually challenges, SAM/WAR doesn't operate very well. Your weapon skills will tend to miss, a lot, no matter how much +Accuracy you have when you're fighting any of the HNMs from the upper echelon. Although, if you do manage to land them, and if Double Attack happens to go off, your WS will do decently. Your regular melee damage will also be relatively low, on a lot of HNMs; Berserk and the Attack Bonus trait don't make that much of a difference against something with such high defense and evasion. Warcry's usefulness is also minimal, as is Provoke's, unless you'd like to pull hate for some reason (for all of the two or so hits you'll last as SAM/WAR). Warrior's usefulness as a subjob for HNMs is limited to those you'll have heavy competition for. When you're camping Serket, Simurgh, Behemoth, etc. you'll want Provoke to claim something. Other than that, there are much better options. However, if you are going to go SAM/WAR, here's a list of ideal equipment:

Main: Kamewari (Damage: 79, Delay 450, Acc+5, vs. Arcana Crit. Hit Rate+7%)
Bow: Lightning Bow+1
Head: Optical Hat
Neck: Merman's Gorget or Ryl. Guard Collar
Earring: Merman's or Coral Earring, Bushinomimi
Body: Haubergeon(+1) or possibly Shura Togi+1
Hands: Alkon/Pallas Bracers [Saotome Kote for Meditate]
Rings: Sniper's Ringx2 [+1 if you can get them.. hah. <.<]
Back: Amemit (or +1)
Belt: Life Belt
Leggings (in order of best to worst): Shura Haidate(+1 or not), Byakko's Haidate, Ryl. Knight's Breeches, Myochin Haidate
Feet: Saotome Sune-Ate, Rasetsu Sune-Ate(or +1)


Thief: My personal favorite choice of a subjob, and what I've used on most HNM hunts I've been on. The beauty of SAM/THF is the fact that SATA + any WS can't miss, as long as you're aligned properly. This allows for a noticeable change in equipment when you're ready to SATA; you should macro in as much STR+ equipment as possible. The three last Weapon Skills you receive as a Samurai, with Great Katana, have a 75% modifier off of your Strength. The more Strength you add in, the better. Since the weapon skill can't miss, you can even forego such equipment as a Life Belt in favor of something to give +STR.. although, you'll only want this to be macro'd in, and then macro'd back out later. A Samurai with about +50 STR [before the WS] can consistently get 1k+ damage on almost any HNM (Aspidechelone, Genbu excluded, due to their hard frickin' shells), and can be among the highest damage dealers on HNM fights. However, to get the proper equipment to do this costs quite a bit. You also need two separate sets of equipment for SAM/THF: One for regularly attacking / building TP, and a STR+ set-up right before you use SATA and a WS.

Equipment while meleeing
Main: Ushikirimaru (Damage: 82, Delay 450, STR+2, Enmity+2, HP+15, vs. Beast: Acc+7)
(Shinsoku if you can afford it)
Bow: Arco de Velocidad (STR+1)
Head: Optical Hat
Neck: Merman's Gorget or Ryl. Guard Collar
Earring: Triumph Earring, Bushinomimi
Body: Haubergeon+1 or possibly Shura Togi+1
Hands: Alkon/Pallas' bracelets [Saotome Kote for Meditate]
Rings: Sniper's Ring(+1)x2
Back: Amemit (or +1)
Belt: Life Belt
Leggings (in order of best to worst): Shura Haidate(+1 or not), Byakko's Haidate, Ryl. Knight's Breeches, Myochin Haidate
Feet: Saotome Sune-Ate, Rasetsu Sune-Ate(or +1)

And this is the best possible set-up you could have to macro in before using SATA, and a WS:

Equipment for SATA + WS
Main: Ushikirimaru (Damage: 82, Delay 450, STR+2, Enmity+2, HP+15, vs. Beast: Acc+7)
(Shinsoku if you can afford it)
Bow: Arco de Velocidad (STR+1 bow) [More practical: Shigeto or Lightning]
Head: Shura Zunari Kabuto+1 [More practical: Wyvern Helm]
Neck: Spike Necklace
Earring: Triumph Earring, Bushinomimi
Body: Kirin's Osode [More practical: Haubergeon or Haubergeon+1]
Hands: Alkyoneus's Bracers (More practical: Pallas's Bracers or Enkelados's Bracers) [Saotome Kote for Meditate]
Rings: Flame Ringx2 or Ruby Ringx2
Back: Amemit (or +1)
Belt: Warwolf Belt
Leggings: Shura Haidate(+1 or regular) [More practical: Myochin Haidate]
Feet: Heroic Boots+1 (Mithra and Hume have RSE boots available that give +3 STR.. otherwise there really isn't much that's more practical)

Given that incredible set-up, you'd have 2 [GKT] + 1 [Bow] + 6 [Head] + 3 [Neck] + 4 [Earrings] + 10 [Osode] + 11 [Bracers] + 10 [Rings] + 2 [Mantle] + 5 [Belt] + 6 [Haidate] + 3 [Boots]
Which comes to a grand total of: +63 STR. With that kind of set-up, you'd probably see consistent 1000-1400+ on HNMs, dependent on TP. Meditate is every 3 minutes, for 140-160% TP if you have the AF2 Gloves [stacks with the Helmet]... so that'd be quite a bit of damage every 3 minutes [to HNMs, at least], not counting regular melee, either. SAM/THF is also -great- for putting hate behind a tank, especially when properly equipped. Of course, as stated previously, that kind of set-up is rather difficult to obtain.

SAM/THF is a great option for a vast majority of the HNMs out there, and it's recommended to have Thief SJ leveled anyways; it's useful in EXP parties as well. However, SAM/THF isn't always the best option for some HNMs.. Aspidechelone and other HNMs that melee isn't recommended for [You shouldn't melee Amikiri, for example, because of the AoEs], as well as HNMs you absolutely have to kite, should be approached with a different subjob.

Ranger: A subjob that seems to be increasing in popularity for Samurai lately, SAM/RNG can operate well against quite a few of the HNMs. However, SAM/RNG demands quite a bit of equipment in order to be effective. We only have C+ in Bow skill, as opposed to the A+ that damn Rangers have.. so we need a lot of Ranged Accuracy to even hit most stuff. However, it can be done, and it's the best option for some fights. If you try to spam Sidewinder [and have them all hit], chances are you'll pull hate and die without the aid of Utsusemi that RNG/NIN gets. Recommended HNMs to go SAM/RNG on are: Amikiri, Charybdis, any of the lower-tier HNMs (Serket, Roc, etc.), any/all of the Gods (with great gear), and King Behemoth. The ideal equipment set-up for SAM/RNG is as follows:

Main: Trailer's Kukri (or Archer's Knife)
Shield: Musketeer Commander's Shield
Bow: Shigeto Bow(+1) (or fully upgraded Relic Bow.. haha <_<)
Ammo: Kabura Arrows
Head: Optical Hat
Neck: Peacock Charm
Earrings: Drone Earring, Beater's Earring
Body: Kirin's Osode
Hands: Seiryu's Kote
Rings: Behemoth Ring(+1)x2 or Merman's Ringx2
Back: Amemit Mantle+1
Belt: Ryl. Knight Belt+2
Leggings: Dusk Trousers(+1)
Boots: Wood Ledelsens (Elvaan, +6 AGI) otherwise Leaping/Winged Boots or Gavial Greaves+1

Of course, you don't -need- to be that well equipped to operate fairly decently as SAM/RNG, but if you don't have quite a bit of Ranged Accuracy and AGI, you'll never hit any of the tough stuff (Our Archery caps at 230, as opposed to 276 for Rangers). However, with the right gear, a SAM/RNG is quite a great damage dealer against the right HNMs at the end-game. However, the versatility doesn't end there, since there's also...

Ninja: Samurai do have the ability to tank some stuff most people wouldn't expect them to. We need the help of someone /THF or a THF to keep hate [sometimes], but Samurai have B+ in evasion, and with the right gear, can main tank against things like Serket, Simurgh, Bune, Amikiri [a lot more dangerous, a back-up tank is recommended], Kirin [MNK/NIN can do it, so can SAM/NIN, with help from /THF and THF], Genbu [much tougher to hold hate], Roc, etc. Of course, you don't have to tank if you go SAM/NIN. SAM/NIN often dual-wields Swords and uses Spirits Within against the things with very high defense [King Behemoth, Aspidechelone, Genbu, etc.]. Sometimes, SAM/NIN is a wise option just to avoid getting mauled by certain AoEs [Amikiri comes to mind]. In that kind of case, wielding a Great Katana as SAM/NIN would be okay. The only uses of /NIN, though, is survival [whether tanking or not], and Dual-Wielding for Spirits Within. Ideal equipment?

Tanking (Think like a Ninja!)
Main: Either a Kamewari or Ushikirimaru. If you're dual-wielding swords, best choices are Ridill and Seiryu's Sword. If you're fscking rich as all hell or extremely lucky.. Ridill + Kraken Club [with capped Club skill].
Bow: Lightning Bow+1
Head: Optical Hat (Alternative: Arhat's Jinpachi+1, Genbu's Kabuto)
Neck: Evasion Torque
Earrings: Dodge Earringx2 (Alternative: Bushinomimi, Genin Earring)
Body: Scorpion Harness(+1) (Arhat's Gi[+1] for Enmity)
Hands: Rasetsu Tekko(+1)
Rings: Sniper's Ring(+1)x2 or possibly those AGI+4 or 5 rings? Maybe even a Mermaid's Ring for enmity.
Back: Bat Cape or Amemit(+1)
Belt: Life Belt or Survival Belt [maybe Speed Belt]
Legs: Byakko's Haidate (Possibly Arhat's Hakama[+1] or Saotome Haidate)
Feet: Rasetsu Sune-Ate(+1) (Fuma Kyahan to be macro'd in)

Hitting to build TP (Spirits Within)
Main: Ridill
Sub: Seiryu's Sword (or Kraken Club)
Bow: Lightning Bow+1
Head: Optical Hat
Neck: Merman's Gorget
Earrings: Accurate Earring, Suppanomimi
Body: Haubergeon+1
Hands: Noritsune Kote, Shura Kote(+1), Ochiudo's Kote, Saotome Kote (For enhanced Meditate)
Rings: Sniper's Ring(+1)x2
Back: Amemit(+1)
Belt: Life Belt
Legs: Byakko's Haidate (Haste is nice) or Shura Haidate(+1)
Feet: Saotome Sune-Ate

Equipment to boost your HP (for Spirits Within, once you have 300% TP)
Main: Ridill
Sub: Seiryu's Sword (or Kraken Club)
Bow: Lightning Bow+1 [or Rosenbogen, haha... ].

3) If you plan on going SAM/RNG, have Bow skill capped, and the appropriate equipment.. otherwise, don't be so disappointed when you miss 90% of your shots.

4) Although they're pretty difficult to obtain, try to get the SAM AF2 gloves. That enhance meditate, which stacks with the AF1 Helm, gives you 140-160% TP [sometimes 180%] per Meditate.. and it really helps in all situations.

5) Don't forget to enjoy the job. I know every Samurai who's going to read this has probably had those days when you feel like tracking down party leaders who don't invite you and killing them in cold blo -- erm.. I mean, challenging them to an honorable duel. Yeah. <_<; Hehe... just remember to play the job because it's what you want to do. Don't let anything else drag you down. ^^b And remember, if you're feeling that bad over it.. Dragoons are always worse. <.< (Kidding, hehe.)

I'll add more stuff to this later, I suppose.. I can't wait for any feedback / suggestions I can get, either. Please try to be a bit constructive in your criticisms, though. =p

(/bow)

12/18/2004: Updated SAM/THF equipment with the new Warwolf Belt (+5 STR). (Thank you.) SE ^^/ And also added the Trailer's Kukri (+14 R. Acc) as a great option for SAM/RNG.

Sniper's Ring +1?!? That's not fair. At least I have the Life Belt part handled =/

[Sozsensur]

Thieves SA is based on Dexterity. Would you suggest boosting any sort of Dex at all for a SA WS, or strictly Str up(like you stated)?

Good write up.

[Chizzle]

Side note and, yea, it is farfetched, but if you want best possible gear for Sa/Ta you have to toss in the Shinsoku in place of Ushikirimaru for the beautiful Str+5. I have yet to see or hear of this on my server and cry everytime i check AH and fail to see the name even listed.

[goku01z]

bumpydump Hey Dyire sticky this and show us your l33t skills or something>.>

[Demonsamurai]

Shinsoku is godly for sam/thf SATA WS, STR+5 /drool. I know a sam on levithan that has one, names Bloodberry, a very very good sam.

[Kayoto]

Nny :
Also, SAM/MNk would probably be better for Spirit's Within. You don't gain TP faster as /NIN unless you reach the cap (5 TP) which won't be reached unless you offhand a dagger (The TP you gain you hit is lowered when dual wielding). So /NIN with dual swords and /MNK with a single sword ends up building the same amount of TP.

And if you actually do get a Ridill, it's better to not have an offhand because that will slow down attacks.

And, would be better to use a low DMG sword so you don't kill the mob quickly and better to have a sword with +HP on it.

Not that Spirit's Within actually happens often, but still. :wink

Meh, Spirits Within sucks anyways. ; ; I haven't really had to resort to it much, so I'm not exactly an expert on the best way to be a Spirits Within whore. All I remember is /NIN being a blessing when I had to solo the damned raptors/manticores in Valley of Sorrows that aggro'd me while my LS was off doing God knows what. -.-;

Oh, and Chizzle, I've spoken to players who have both a Shinsoku and an Ushikirimaru, and the overall consensus from them is that the SATA+WS damage is the same. This is probably due to the fact that the Ushikirimaru has 2 higher base damage, and the +3 STR advantage from the Shinsoku becomes less noticeable if your +STR is already over 50 or so.

[Chizzle]

TP Drain is still godly on a weapon, this is my dream weapon, considering that the Lvl 5 relic is nearly impossible, and in my opinion the Amanomurakumo looks kind of lame for a GK (it should have looked like or similar to the Nukemaru =/)

[Kayoto]

Chizzle :
TP Drain is still godly on a weapon, this is my dream weapon, considering that the Lvl 5 relic is nearly impossible, and in my opinion the Amanomurakumo looks kind of lame for a GK (it should have looked like or similar to the Nukemaru =/)

The TP drain hardly ever procs on anything difficult, from what I understand. I'm by no means saying it's not a great weapon.. I just don't think it justifies the 10,000,000 price tag in any way. Oh, and I have "(Shinsoku if you can afford it)" under the SATA+WS Gear set-up category, Chizzle. It's always been there. <.<;

[Souru]

nice guide, now do you mind writing a guide for SAMs to get into a HNMLS? >.>

[Kayoto]

Souru :
nice guide, now do you mind writing a guide for SAMs to get into a HNMLS? >.>

Sure.

Kayoto's Guide to Getting into an HNM LS as a Samurai
1) Have friends who will get you into an HNM LS.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive guide I wrote up. ^^y

[Midnight]

Kayoto :

Souru :
nice guide, now do you mind writing a guide for SAMs to get into a HNMLS? >.>

Sure.

Kayoto's Guide to Getting into an HNM LS as a Samurai
1) Have friends who will get you into an HNM LS.

Thank you for reading this comprehensive guide I wrote up. ^^y

Your guide sucks

Um idk.. know the HNMLS in your server and apply. Lots (if not all) have a website

[Emurei]

Bump =O

Please sticky