5 Tips For Playing Better Samurai

Those who rule rarely take to the field to enforce their decrees with their own hands. There will be others who do this task for them; the hands who are trained to act in service to their lords. Warriors of resolve who will face down any odds if it means they serve their master's will, they are known by many names across different cultures and creeds.

But in this game, they are samurai.

For those who've wanted to take this alternative chassis for the cavalier class for a spin, but who aren't sure precisely how to step outside of the box, consider the following tips!

Also, if you like this list, don't forget to check out 5 Tips For Playing Better Cavaliers, as well! You can find it along with all the previous installments of this series on my 5 Tips master list on my gaming blog Improved Initiative!

Tip #1: What is Your Actual Title?

One of the things that often limits our creativity is thinking of our characters in terms of their class name. That name, though, is just a general title for your rules chassis; it doesn't automatically translate to an in-game title or job. No one applies for a job as a rogue or a barbarian, for example, and just because someone is a wizard or a cleric they may have a different title or job description that isn't just their class name.

This becomes particularly tough when it comes to the samurai, because that class name is taken from the warrior caste of feudal Japan, so we have a lot of built-in assumptions about who our characters are, the society they come from, and so on.

Which is why you should try to forget all of that real-world baggage by asking what this character's in-world title and profession is.

For example, is your samurai an elite soldier in a standing army? Are they a sellsword? A bodyguard? An outrider for a merchant caravan? A bounty hunter? There are many options to choose from, and by filling in this part of their story it can stop you from defaulting to the assumptions and associations taken from our real world history that may not exist in a fantasy setting.

For folks looking for inspiration in this area, make sure you check out 100 Fantasy Professions (That Aren't "Adventurer")!

Tip #2: Who Is Your Master?

As is mentioned in the class description, samurai are typically found in service to a lord. There are also instances of samurai in service to a cause or organization, or they may be freely wandering seeking their own ends, but the implication is that the last option is least common for these individuals.

So take a moment and ask yourself who, precisely, you serve? And, more important, why do you serve them?

This can say a lot about your character, their history, and it can cast them in a particular light. For example, were you born into the service of a particular lord, or were you raised to that position? Do you and your lord see eye to eye when it comes to goals and methods, or is there a disconnect that makes serving a challenge for you?

And who are you serving, precisely? A noble lord who entrusts you to enact their will on their lands? A gang leader who made you their strong right hand? The head of a cult who has made you the enforcer of their faith? Or is your lord a secret even to you, only appearing in costume and a mask so that you can't even be certain you serve only one individual?

For folks who need some additional reading/inspiration on this topic, consider the following supplements:

- 100 Nobles To Encounter: From the lazy and corrupt, to the good-hearted and socially-minded, there's a little bit of everything in this particular supplement. Not only that, but many of these nobles come with their own mysteries and plot hooks as well!

- 100 Secret Societies: You may not know who you serve specifically, but these organizations can act as ideal masters for those who want a little cloak and dagger when it comes to their loyalty.

- 100 Gangs For Your Urban Campaigns: From drug syndicates to protection rackets, there's a bit of everything in here. Gang leaders will always need enforcers, and it wouldn't be unheard of for a samurai to fill this role.

Tip #3: What is Your History With Your Mount?

While there are samurai archetypes who trade in their mount class feature, those who simply take the class straight gain a loyal mount that grows in power along with their rider. As such, it's worth asking yourself if there's anything unique or special about this particular mount, and what your bond is with them.

For example, do you have a spiritual bond with your horse, as represented by the Blood Steed trait (prominently featured in my Khal Drogo character conversion guide), which would allow you to resurrect your companion and bring it back to you from beyond the grave? Are you a wolf rider, who raised your mount from a pup? Do you come from an environment where camels, not horses, are the preferred mounts of the region? Or do you ride something more exotic, ranging from a moose, to a bear, to a tiger?

What your mount is, and how you formed your bond with them, can make up a large part of your character's story. Especially if their mount is unusual, which can become even more pronounced at higher levels when, through feats and story achievements one might be riding something far deadlier that a mere warhorse.

Tip #4: What is Your Fighting Style?

This is a point I've brought up for nearly every martial class, but it's no less applicable to the samurai because of the breadth of their options (particularly options that other classes aren't built for). Which is why it helps to ask yourself what type of combat your samurai specializes in.

As an example, the Weapon Expertise ability allows you to gain great proficiency with the katana, the wakizashi, naginata, or longbow. The Mounted Archery feature makes it easier for you to zip around the battlefield on your mount, firing arrows with something close to impunity, letting your banner fly. Various samurai archetypes will allow you to focus more on swordplay, more on defending your allies, or more on heavy armor. Each of these lends themselves to a different style of combat, and they might say something about the character.

As an example, mounted archery is not a common fighting style. A small-sized samurai, though, might combine their mobility with their challenge to present a deadly threat. Is this a mark of a unique order the character is part of, or an individual, signature style they're known for? Other samurai might specialize in two-handed weapons, slamming them down on enemies either on foot or from the saddle. Is this a fighting style handed down among a particular clan, used by certain mercenary companies, or even one looked down on by nobles and high-borns as being the fighting style of a brute?

How you fight, and the story of that fighting style, can say a lot about you. It might even be connected to the order you joined, adding additional details to that part of your character sheet.

Speaking of your order...

Tip #5: What Does Your Order Say About You?

Like cavaliers, samurai pledge themselves to an order. The Order of The Warrior and Order of The Ronin are the most common, but it is possible for a samurai to pledge themselves to any cavalier order as well.

Orders are left purposefully vague as mechanics, acting more as a general creed and cause that a particular samurai fights for, believes in, and follows... but how a samurai embodies their order (or how they seem to subvert it) can often be an interesting part of their character.

As an example, a yojimbo who is also a member of the Order of The Dragon may be just what one imagines; a skilled commander and defender, able to use their skills to assist their companions while keeping their charge alive. However, a member of the Order of The Tome might be a hulking bruiser specialized in the tetsubo, but their grim nature belies their inquisitive, thoughtful mind. A member of the Order of Vengeance might be affable and personable, the only hint to their darker edicts being the cold look in their eyes.

Beyond just the samurai's personality, though, ask how the order conflicts (or aligns) with the samurai's master. What drew them to these edicts, and by what did they swear to uphold them? Is the samurai the latest in a long line to serve this order, or will they be the first? Have they served for much of their life (something that could be centuries for some species), or are they still newly sworn members? What is the reputation of those who are members of this order? Does the samurai introduce themselves as members of that order, or do they keep that under wraps so that even their companions may not know?

Nailing down the specifics here can add a lot to the character, and it's worth thinking about beyond just the mechanical abilities and behavior restrictions membership in the order provides.

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