The Samurai archetype is a popular choice among players who seek a disciplined and honorable warrior in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. However, there are two versions of the Samurai that players might encounter: the Unearthed Arcana Samurai and the official Samurai subclass from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. While both versions share a common theme, they differ significantly in their mechanics, flavor, and overall gameplay experience. This comparative analysis delves into these differences, providing insight into how each Samurai archetype functions within a campaign.
The Unearthed Arcana Samurai
Features and Abilities
The Unearthed Arcana Samurai, introduced in a playtest document, offers a distinct set of features that emphasize the Samurai’s indomitable will and combat prowess. One of the hallmark abilities is the Fighting Spirit, which grants temporary hit points and advantage on attack rolls for a short duration. This ability is designed to reflect the Samurai’s focus and determination in the heat of battle, allowing them to turn the tide of combat with a burst of strength.
Strengths of the Unearthed Arcana Samurai
The primary strength of the Unearthed Arcana Samurai lies in its simplicity and effectiveness in combat. With the Fighting Spirit feature, the Samurai can consistently gain advantage on attack rolls, making them a reliable source of damage in any encounter. Additionally, the temporary hit points provided by this ability add a layer of durability, helping the Samurai withstand damage that might otherwise bring them down.
Limitations of the Unearthed Arcana Samurai
Despite its strengths, the Unearthed Arcana Samurai has certain limitations. The archetype lacks utility outside of combat, offering few features that enhance role-playing or problem-solving opportunities. Additionally, the Fighting Spirit ability, while powerful, is limited by the number of uses per rest, requiring careful management in prolonged encounters.
Role-Playing Opportunities
Role-playing the Unearthed Arcana Samurai can be a rewarding experience for players who enjoy portraying a character with a strong sense of duty and resolve. The archetype’s focus on mental fortitude and physical prowess lends itself well to narratives involving honor, loyalty, and personal sacrifice. However, the lack of non-combat features may require players to rely more on their character’s background and personal motivations to drive role-playing moments.
The Xanathar’s Guide Samurai
Features and Abilities
The Samurai subclass from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything builds upon the foundation set by the Unearthed Arcana version, refining and expanding the archetype’s abilities. One of the key features is Fighting Spirit, which remains similar to the Unearthed Arcana version but with additional benefits at higher levels. Additionally, the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai introduces features like Elegant Courtier, which enhances the Samurai’s social skills, and Tireless Spirit, which allows the Samurai to regain uses of Fighting Spirit more frequently.
Strengths of the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai
The Xanathar’s Guide Samurai offers a more well-rounded experience compared to its Unearthed Arcana counterpart. With features that bolster both combat effectiveness and social interactions, this version of the Samurai is versatile in and out of battle. The ability to regain uses of Fighting Spirit more easily also makes the archetype more sustainable in long campaigns, allowing players to engage in multiple encounters without feeling limited by resource management.
Limitations of the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai
While the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai is more versatile, it does come with some trade-offs. The archetype’s combat abilities, while still powerful, are slightly less straightforward than those of the Unearthed Arcana version. Players may need to consider how to balance their use of Fighting Spirit with the subclass’s other features, such as Elegant Courtier, to make the most of the archetype’s potential.
Role-Playing Opportunities
The Xanathar’s Guide Samurai opens up new role-playing opportunities, particularly through the Elegant Courtier feature, which enhances the character’s ability to navigate social situations. This makes the Samurai more than just a warrior, allowing them to take on roles as diplomats, advisors, or tacticians within the campaign. Players who enjoy blending martial prowess with social intrigue will find this version of the Samurai particularly appealing.
Key Differences Between the Two Samurai Archetypes
Combat Effectiveness
When comparing the Unearthed Arcana Samurai and the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai, their combat effectiveness is a crucial point of analysis. The Unearthed Arcana version is more focused on pure damage output, with fewer distractions from its core combat features. In contrast, the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai offers a more balanced approach, combining strong combat abilities with additional utility that can be used in and out of battle.
Damage Output and Survivability
In terms of damage output, the Unearthed Arcana Samurai has a slight edge due to its straightforward approach to combat. The ability to consistently gain advantage on attacks makes it a reliable damage dealer. However, the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai’s additional survivability features, such as Tireless Spirit, allow it to maintain its combat effectiveness over longer periods, making it better suited for extended campaigns.
Role-Playing and Utility
Another key difference lies in role-playing potential and utility. The Unearthed Arcana Samurai is more one-dimensional, focusing almost exclusively on combat. This makes it an excellent choice for players who want a straightforward, no-nonsense warrior. On the other hand, the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai offers more opportunities for role-playing and social interaction, making it a more versatile choice for campaigns that involve a mix of combat and diplomacy.
Social Interactions and Skill Checks
The Elegant Courtier feature in the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai adds a new dimension to the character’s capabilities. By allowing the Samurai to add their Wisdom modifier to Persuasion checks, this feature opens up new avenues for social interaction. This makes the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai a valuable asset in campaigns where negotiation, leadership, and diplomacy are as important as combat prowess.
Final Words
Both the Unearthed Arcana Samurai and the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai offer unique takes on the Samurai archetype in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. The Unearthed Arcana Samurai excels in straightforward combat, making it an ideal choice for players who want a reliable damage dealer with a strong focus on martial prowess. In contrast, the Xanathar’s Guide Samurai provides a more versatile and well-rounded experience, blending combat effectiveness with enhanced role-playing opportunities.
