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As such, players need to optimize their Samurai’s build with the right rotations, the right gear, and especially the right weapon. However, just what kind of weapon should the Samurai use to excel being a trusted warrior on the frontlines?

10 Palaka Bardiche

The Palaka Striking Set prioritizes comfort over style, something the disciplined Samurai would prefer. This is something reflected in the Palaka Bardiche, too, given its rather mundane yet practical design. It boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, and even decent Vitality and Strength bonuses, followed closely by Direct Hit Rate.

Determination isn’t as high as desired, but the prioritization in Vitality means the weapon is encouraging a build that allows the Samurai to remain tough enough to take a beating before dishing it back - especially with healers like the White Mage. Players can acquire the Palaka Tulwar from the Vanaspati dungeon in Endwalker, which has a level requirement of 85 and an average item level of 510.

9 Manganese Uchigatana

One would look at the Manganese Uchigatana and feel like it looks too straightforward as an uchigatana, except it fits right in with the Kumbhiraskin Rising Dragon Set. The regal quality of the Manganese Uchigatana’s saya or scabbard gives it a unique sense of style. Its base stats aren’t extremely high either, with decent Vitality but rather middling Strength and Determination bonuses, as well as a low Critical Hit bonus.

However, the Manganese Uchigatana compensates with these middling stats with its easy procurement - making it a good entry weapon for a Samurai in the game’s tougher dungeons. Players can acquire the Manganese Uchigatana from Junkmongers located in Elpis, and get the Ironwood Weapon Coffer from them.

8 Ktiseos Blade

The Ktiseos Striking Set has a mysterious quality to it, especially with an ominous circle mask on black armor. And the unique details on the Ktiseos Blade add more to the Set’s striking appearance. The weapon boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack stats, as well as manageable bonuses for Vitality, Strength, and Critical Hit.

Although its Determination boost needs a bit of work, the Ktiseos Blade is proof that a Samurai with a focus on a critical build can become a deadly force on the battlefield. Players can acquire the Ktiseos Blade by clearing the Ktisis Hyperboreia, a dungeon in Endwalker.

7 Chondrite Magitek Samurai Blade

The AR-Caean Velvet Striking Set provides a unique steampunk aesthetic to its wearer, and the Chondrite Magitek Samurai Blade adds a fierce gear-like quality to the overall style without much effort. Of course, the tradeoff here would be its middling Physical Damage and Auto Attack qualities, and rather so-so bonuses to Vitality, Strength, Critical Hit, and especially Direct Hit Rate. While this weapon won’t necessarily carry a player through the game’s toughest endgame dungeons, it can serve as a companion for training and leveling up.

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Players can acquire the Chondrite Magitek Samurai Blade quite easily, as they only need the Chondrite Weapon Coffer. This item is acquired from the Junkmonger in Labyrinthos or Elpis, or the Merchant & Mender or Provisions Node in Ultima Thule.

6 Murasame

Arguably the most recognizable katana in the franchise, the Murasame returns in FF14 as one of the best Samurai weapons in the game. Its straightforward yet stylish appearance fits right in with the Saotome set, which in itself gives players a Feudal Japan take on Auron’s aesthetic from Final Fantasy X. Stats-wise, the Murasame boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack, coupled with equal bonuses on Strength and Vitality, with Critical Hit coming up close.

While there’s not a lot of focus on Determination bonuses, the focus on Critical Hit will motivate the players to create a Samurai build that emphasizes quick criticals to take down tough foes. Players can acquire the Murasame from Varsarudh at the Agora in Old Sharlayan.

5 Moonward Samurai Blade

There’s a certain sophistication and weight to the Moonward Samurai Blade, particularly when worn with the rest of the aesthetic of the Moonward Striking Set. Alongside the Moonward Samurai Blade and its stylish look comes decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack stats. Moreover, its emphasis on Vitality bonuses is evident, with Strength and Determination very close.

Its Critical Hit bonus isn’t as high, which indicates that this weapon may emphasize a straightforward damage build. Players can acquire the Moonward Samurai Blade by getting the Allagan Tomestone of Aphorism from Cihanti in Radz-at-Han.

4 Classical Samurai Blade

Despite the name, the Classical Samurai Blade does by no means look ordinary. Pairing it with the Classical Secutor’s Set comes with an ominous ambiance that gives the Samurai more of an executioner’s aura, particularly with the set’s mask. In terms of stats, the Classical Samurai Blade doesn’t boast extremely high Physical Damage and Auto Attack, but enough base stat to support a Samurai through some of the tougher endgame dungeons. Its focus on Vitality bonuses is evident, with Strength and Direct Hit Rate close seconds.

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Players can obtain the Classical Samurai Blade by crafting, as this weapon has a 2-star recipe from the Master Blacksmith IX category.

3 Radiant’s Blade

The Radiant’s Blade has a unique aesthetic that makes anyone do a double-take upon first looking, especially when paired with the Radiant’s Striking Set. And even then, the Radiant’s Blade has quite decent base stats - with Physical Damage and Auto Attack. Where the weapon shines is its high bonuses for Vitality, Strength, and Direct Hit Rate.

While Critical Hit could do some work, the priority towards Direct Hit Rate suggests a more combo-reliant damage build. Players can obtain the Radiant’s Blade via acquiring the Allagan Tomestone of Astronomy and Discal Tomestone from Cihanti in Radz-at-Han.

2 Augmented Radiant’s Blade

Players who want to hold onto their Radiant’s Blade through the rest of the endgame may be able to do it if they upgrade it into the Augmented Radiant’s Blade. When augmented, the Radiant’s Blade taps into perhaps its best bonuses yet. The Augmented Radiant’s Blade boasts decent Physical Damage and Auto Attack but has superb Vitality bonuses coupled with Strength and Vitality.

While Critical Hit is a bit lackluster in terms of bonuses, the other bonuses reveal the emphasis for the Samurai to get a direct damage build this time around. Players can obtain the Augmented Radiant’s Blade by taking their original Radiant’s Blade and enhancing it via the Radiant Roborant from Khaldeen in Radz-at-Han.

1 Asphodelos Samurai Blade

The Asphodelos Striking Set has this serene, nomadic quality unlike in other armors for the Samurai, which makes the Asphodelos Samurai Blade a fitting “best” weapon for them. Arguably the katana boasting the best Physical Damage and Auto Attack stats so far, the Asphodelus Samurai Blade, despite its straightforward appearance, is a worthy addition to a samurai’s endgame arsenal.

Moreover, its boosts towards Vitality, Strength and Critical Hit emphasize a focus on a build that scores criticals - something that matters when facing tougher bosses, especially with buffs from classes like the Bard. Players can acquire the Asphodelos Samurai Blade through the Asphodelos Weapon Coffer, as obtained from the Asphodelos Mythos IV from Djole in Raz-at-Han or Mylenie from Labyrinthos.

Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker was released on November 19, 2021 for the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and macOS.

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