Way of the Blade Samurai
The Samurai or Bushi is a fighter who draws on an implacable fighting spirit to overcome enemies. However, they are more than just a fighter. Formally trained Samurai also spend years studying calligraphy, poetry, philosophy and tactics. A Samurai that practices the way of the sword focuses their training in combat itself, mastering their weapon of choice and using it to its full extent.
When creating a Samurai, ask your DM how Samurai exist in the campaign world and how common are samurai weapons to determine if you can start with one or not. For instance, a normal katana could be a longsword with the finesse property, a no-dachi could be a greatsword, etc.
Samurai Features
| Fighter Level | Feature |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Bonus Proficiency, 3rd level School Feature, Fighting Spirit |
| 7th | 7th level School Feature |
| 10th | 10th level School Feature |
| 15th | 15th level School Feature |
| 18th | Strength before Death |
Bonus Proficiency
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: History, Insight, Performance, or Persuasion. Additionally, you learn one language of your choice.
Samurai Styles
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you can choose one of the four styles that form the way of the blade. Later on you will be able to train in other styles or upgrade one of yours. You may only benefit from the features of one weapon style at a time.
- Iaido Quickdraw: this weapon style focuses on being always the first one to attack and catch your opponent by surprise.
- Nitou Ichi Twin Blades: this weapon style introduces the use of an additional weapon to the traditional forms in order to better defend and to handle multiple opponents.
- Oodachi-ryuu Great Weapon: this weapon style focuses on the mastery of the two-handed weapons such as the no-dachi katana, naginata glaive or even the yumi longbow to fight against big or powerful enemies.
- Keikaku means Plan: this leadership style uses the practice of arts like poetry and oratory to increase one's eloquence and bolster the resolve of allies.
When you reach the 10th and 15th levels in this class you gain the ability to learn a new style or upgrade one you already know.
Depending on which school you choose, you gain a different feature:
Iaido Quickdraw
Restrictions: To use this style you need to use a finesse or light weapon and have a free hand.
Your training allows you to draw and sheathe your weapon at high speeds.
When your weapon is sheathed and you attack an unsuspecting creature (meaning it is not prepared for your attack or already in combat with you) it is considered a surprise attack and you roll with advantage. If you are in line of sight of the creature you have to succeed on a sleight of hand check (Dexterity) against a their passive perception for it to still count as a surprise attack.
Additionally, you can use a bonus action on your turn to adopt the Iaido stance, sheathing your weapon and focusing on your surroundings to give yourself advantage on your next weapon attack and increase its range by 5 feet.
You can use the Iaido stance feature two times per Short Rest.
Upgrade: Quick Reflexes
Having perfected your quickdraw, your drawing and sheathing speeds are now lightning fast. This allows you to add your proficiency bonus to initiative rolls. It also allows you to gain the benefits of the Iaido stance on your two next attacks instead of one, when you use it.
Additionally you have learned to trade accuracy for swift strikes. If you take the Attack action on your turn and have advantage on an attack roll against one of the targets, you can forgo the advantage for that roll to make an additional weapon attack against that target, as part of the same action. You can do so no more than once per turn. Any attacks without advantage cannot benefit from the reach bonus from the Iaido stance.
Nitou Ichi Twin Blades
Restrictions: To use this style you need to wield two weapons, and at least one needs to have the *light* property unless you have the *Dual Wielder* feat.
While wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand you gain a +1 bonus to your AC and creatures that attack you do not benefit from flanking nor features like pack tactics.
When you attack a creature with a melee weapon attack, as a free action you can attack a different creature within 10 feet of the first one, as long as it is within reach of your secondary weapon. You can add your ability modifier to the damage roll of this attack.
Upgrade: Parry
As a reaction to being attacked with a weapon attack (melee or ranged), you can add your Dexterity modifier to your AC for this and an additional weapon attack if it happens during this round.
You can use this feature two times per Short Rest.
Oodachi-ryuu Great Weapon
Restrictions: To use this style you need to wield a two-handed weapon or versatile weapon with two hands.
Your excellent physique allows you to add your Proficiency Bonus to your Strength score when calculating jumping distances. You also have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks when climbing, as well as any made to hold onto Large or bigger creatures after you have climbed onto them.
When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, the creature takes an extra 1d8 damage if it is below its hit point maximum. You can deal this extra damage only once per turn.
Upgrade: Skullsplitter
You can spend two attacks to perform a single devastating one. This attack scores a critical hit on a roll of 18 or higher (or 17 or higher if your weapon already has that effect). Your ability modifier for this attack is added twice both for the hit and for the damage, and the number of damage dice of the weapon is doubled for it as well. Additionally, when you score a critical hit with this attack, any creatures allies of your victim that are within 30 feet of you and can see the attack need to succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC is 8 + proficiency bonus + Strength modifier) or be frightened of you for a minute.
You can use this feature once per Short Rest.
Keikaku means Plan
Your studies of poetry and rethoric grant you proficiency in the Persuasion skill. If you are already proficient in it, you gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: History, Insight, Intimidation, or Performance.
Additionally, when you use your Second Wind feature you can choose to let out a rallying cry, to cause up to three creatures within 60 feet of you that are allied with you to regain hit points equal to your fighter level, provided that the creature can see or hear you.
Upgrade: Inspiring Ally
Your excellence in social situations reaches new levels, and you can add your Wisdom Modifier to any Charisma checks, not just Persuasion.
Additionally, by letting out a battlecry as a bonus action or as part of your Rallying Cry when you use your Second Wind, you can grant up to 3 allies within 60 feet of you +1 to their Armour Class and advantage on Saving Throws until the end of your next turn.
Once you use the battlecry feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Elegant Courtier
Starting at 7th level, your discipline and attention to detail allow you to excel in social situations. Whenever you make a Charisma (Persuasion) check, you gain a bonus to the check equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Your self-control also causes you to gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. If you already have this proficiency, you instead gain proficiency in Intelligence or Charisma saving throws (your choice).
Strength before Death
Starting at 18th level, your fighting spirit can delay the grasp of death. If you take damage that reduces you to 0 hit points and doesn’t kill you outright, you can use your reaction to delay falling unconscious, and you can immediately take an extra turn, interrupting the current turn. While you have 0 hit points during that extra turn, taking damage causes death saving throw failures as normal, and three death saving throw failures can still kill you. When the extra turn ends, you fall unconscious if you still have 0 hit points.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.