Samurai Fighter Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Samurai in D&D 5e

The Samurai Fighter is a warrior who embodies unbreakable will, precise strikes, and overwhelming force, excelling at focused combat, resilience, and tactical domination. Introduced in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass is perfect for players who want to play a disciplined and honorable warrior who can deliver devastating blows while standing firm against all odds.

Unlike other Fighters who rely on defense, mobility, or magic, Samurai excel at pure offense, using their abilities to land more hits, deal more critical damage, and push through exhaustion to keep fighting even in dire situations. If you love the idea of a steadfast warrior who stands against impossible odds and refuses to fall, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a Samurai Fighter?

Key Benefits

• One of the Best Fighters for Raw Damage Output – Gain advantage on attacks multiple times per day.
• Incredible Resilience – Bonus temporary HP to keep you fighting longer.
• Best Fighter for Multi-Attacks – Can attack three times per round instead of two at level 11.
• Great Roleplay & Flavor – Perfect for samurai, ronin, or disciplined warriors seeking honor or revenge.
• Excellent for Critical Hit Builds – Advantage increases your chances of landing critical hits.

Compared to other Fighters, Samurai are among the most reliable damage dealers, excelling at single-target strikes and staying in the fight even when wounded.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Fighting Spirit (Level 3, 10, 15, 18)

• Bonus action to gain advantage on weapon attacks until the end of your turn.
• Also grants temporary HP (equal to 5 at level 3, 10 at level 10, and 15 at level 15).
• Uses per long rest: 3 (level 3), 4 (level 10), 5 (level 15).
• Example: Pop Fighting Spirit, attack three times with advantage, and stack critical hits for huge damage.

Elegant Courtier (Level 7)

• Add your Wisdom modifier to Persuasion checks.
• Gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws (or another if already proficient).
• Example: Become more resistant to charm, fear, and other mind-affecting effects while also excelling in social situations.

Tireless Spirit (Level 10)

• If you roll initiative with no uses of Fighting Spirit left, you regain one use.
• Example: You’ll always have at least one use of Fighting Spirit in every combat, ensuring you stay deadly.

Rapid Strike (Level 15)

• Once per turn, if you have advantage on an attack, you can choose to give up advantage to make an extra attack instead.
• Example: Use Fighting Spirit for advantage, give up one advantage to make an extra attack, then unleash a flurry of attacks.

Strength Before Death (Level 18)

• If you drop to 0 HP, you can use your reaction to take a full turn before falling unconscious.
• Example: Before going down, unleash one last devastating series of attacks or escape to safety.

These abilities make Samurai Fighters the ultimate frontline damage dealers, able to consistently land hits, withstand damage, and push beyond normal limits in battle.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Strength or Dexterity – Determines weapon attack rolls and damage.
• Secondary: Constitution – Boosts HP and resilience.
• Tertiary: Wisdom – Helps with Elegant Courtier and Wisdom saving throws.

Recommended Races

Since Samurai Fighters focus on Strength, Dexterity, and resilience, the best races include:

• Variant Human – Gain a free feat at level 1, such as Great Weapon Master or Sharpshooter.
• Half-Orc – Relentless Endurance keeps you alive, and Savage Attacks increases critical hit damage.
• Goliath – Stone’s Endurance adds survivability, perfect for a resilient Samurai.
• Elf (Shadar-Kai or Wood Elf) – Increased mobility and Dexterity, perfect for a katana-wielding Samurai.

Playing as a Samurai Fighter

Role in a Party

• Primary Damage Dealer – Use advantage and multiple attacks to land critical hits frequently.
• Tank & Durable Frontliner – Temporary HP and strong saving throws keep you in the fight.
• Duelist & Executioner – Rapid Strike and Fighting Spirit make you deadly in one-on-one combat.

Compared to other Fighters, Samurai are the most reliable in terms of sustained offense, ensuring they can hit and stay in the fight even when wounded.

Tips for New Players

• Use Fighting Spirit at the start of combat – You want as many attacks with advantage as possible.
• Take Great Weapon Master or Sharpshooter – Advantage cancels out the -5 attack penalty, letting you deal massive damage.
• Be aggressive – Samurai excel at overwhelming enemies before they can react.
• Save Strength Before Death for emergencies – Use it to take out key enemies before you fall.

Roleplay Suggestions

• The Honorable Warrior – A loyal Samurai bound by duty and honor.
• The Ronin – A masterless swordsman seeking redemption or revenge.
• The Mercenary Duelist – A wandering blade-for-hire, honing their craft in battle.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Katana (Longsword or Greatsword) – Themed for Samurai combat, best for Strength-based builds.
• Rapier or Scimitar – Best for Dexterity-based Samurai.
• Longbow or Shortbow – If playing a ranged Samurai build.

Armor

• Half Plate or Breastplate – For a Dexterity-based Samurai.
• Plate Armor – For a tankier Strength-based Samurai.

Magic Items

• Flame Tongue (Longsword or Katana) – Boosts your damage output significantly.
• Cloak of Protection – Boosts AC and saving throws, keeping you alive longer.
• Belt of Giant Strength – Massively increases Strength, making your attacks devastating.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your Samurai warrior aesthetic with these battle-themed dice sets:

• Blademaster’s Honor: For a sleek silver and black design representing a master swordsman, consider the Black Inked Lightning Cracked Glass DND Dice Set. This set features a striking cracked glass design with black inked numerals, capturing the precision and elegance of a seasoned samurai.
• Crimson Ronin: To embody a wandering warrior with deep red and dark steel hues, the Blood Red Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. It showcases deep red tones with a dynamic liquid core, reflecting the solitary path of a ronin.
• Stormblade: For swirling gray and blue colors symbolizing the calm before the storm, the Blue Glitter Liquid Core Sharp Edge Resin DND Dice Set offers vibrant blue hues with a dynamic liquid core, embodying the poised strength of a samurai awaiting battle.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats:

  • Great Weapon Master – Advantage cancels out the -5 attack penalty, making this incredibly strong.
  • Sharpshooter – For ranged Samurai, this ensures powerful longbow shots.
  • Alert – Boosts initiative, helping you strike first and take control of battle.

• Multiclassing:

  • Rogue (Swashbuckler or Assassin) – Adds Sneak Attack, perfect for Dexterity-based Samurai.
  • Barbarian (Path of the Zealot) – Enhances survivability and Rage boosts damage.
  • Monk (Way of the Kensei) – Boosts unarmed and weapon fighting versatility.

• Samurai Advanced Build Ideas

  • The Deathblade: Great Weapon Master, Strength build, and Reckless Attack for max damage.
  • The Bladedancer: Dexterity build with Rapier and high mobility.
  • The War Archer: Longbow-focused, Sharpshooter, and Fighting Spirit for high crit chances.

The Samurai Fighter is one of the most powerful and reliable martial subclasses in D&D 5e, excelling at high-damage attacks, resilience, and battlefield dominance. If you want to play as an unstoppable warrior who fights with honor and precision, this subclass is for you.