As I recently hit level 70 with my Samurai, I've finally pulled out my full Hachiman set from my storage mule, with the intent to Weaponskill in that armor (Via Macro). However, since I hit 68, I was using the full Fourth Division Armor set (Level 68 Armor set) to weaponskill in.

I've been comparing both sets of armor, to try and come up with the optimal set to use in WS macro's. My TP build armor set as SAM is as follows:

Head - Optical hat
Neck - Chivalrous Chain
Earring 1 - Coral Earring
Earring 2 - Fowling Earring
Body - Haubergeon
Gloves - Ochimusha Kote
Ring 1 - Garrulous Ring
Ring 2 - Unyielding Ring
Back - Amemet Mantle +1
Waist - Potent Belt
Legs - Shinimusha Haidate
Feet - Marine F Boots

Weapon - Onikiri/Engetsuto
Grip - Mythril Grip+1
Range - Lightning Bow+1
Ammo - Scorpion Arrow

(I haven't completed CoP or ToAU yet, so I don't have access to Raja's ring etc. I will replace the Potent belt with a Warwolf belt at 71 and the Onikiri with a (Unless I'm lucky enough to get a group to help me get a Hagun) Onimaru at 73.)

The stat comparison between the Hachiman and Fourth Division set:

Hachiman Armor Set
Set Summary

* Defense: 145
* STR +17
* "Store TP" +22
* Weapon Skill Accuracy +20
* Latent Effect: Attack +10
* Latent Effect: Ranged Attack +7
* Latent Effect: Double Attack +2%

(The latents are active while TP ≥ 100% and are not active during WS. )

Fourth Division Armor set

Set Bonus Summary

* Defense +120
* STR +21
* Evasion +25
* "Subtle Blow" +18
* Set: Increases Attack (2pc +1, 3pc +5, 4pc +10, 5pc +15)

As I'm looking for the optimum set I can get, without doing Dynamis, Sea, Sky etc atm, I'm trying to think of which set would be best for my SAM. As I stated above, I'm looking for which set would be the best to use in my Weaponskill Macro.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Depending how far through CoP you are, theres options of changing alot of things up. Haste trumps all as a melee, you will gather this at 75, Walhra Turban/Askar Helm/Aces Helm are the three most viable slots. I am a hardcore endgamer so I have options to get just about anything and considering you think Hagun may cost you a tad much, I will see what small options I can say are better.

The whole set of Hachiman is pretty useless except for Feet and Hands in different situations. As a SAM at 75, when you gain access to merits, you will end up building yourself a six hit build to WS. With capped Store TP and a Rajas + Usukane/Hachiman Feet you can hit that no problem. However, as you said you are limited options wise so I would say sell the whole set aside from Hands and Feet, they can be used for your build until better options open up. Change up your rings with accuracy rings like Sniper's/Woodsman's/Ecphoria/Toreador Rings and WS in STR rings as of the norm. Use Smart Grenade in the ammo slot for the attack also.

You say you have sky at least, make sure you get both Haidates up there, Shura for Weaponskill till Usukane/Hachiryu and Byakkos for TP until you gain the full Usukane set. And uh.. yeah, try and get Hagun, its the best weapon a SAM can get really.

(Yes I know thats drifting away from events things you want filtered, but the options are simply the best you can get in some points so some are impossible to avoid eventually.)

Depending how far through CoP you are, theres options of changing alot of things up. Haste trumps all as a melee, you will gather this at 75, Walhra Turban/Askar Helm/Aces Helm are the three most viable slots. I am a hardcore endgamer so I have options to get just about anything and considering you think Hagun may cost you a tad much, I will see what small options I can say are better.

I have the Walahra Turban already, got it for my DRG, DRK and SMN. The HP/MP boosts are good for DRK and SMN, but it's the Haste that makes it shine imo. I 'was' part of a Nyzul Isle static, but after the last run I did (Floor 55-60), as soon as we got the drops the pt leader 'booted' myself and the SAM and we missed out on 'Cast Lots'. I'm planning a ENM run this weekend to try for a Hagun (http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Sheep_in_Antlion%27s_Clothing), but if that doesn't go well, I still have a Onimaru waiting for me or could try to get a Ushikirimaru from the Golem NM in Sky.


The whole set of Hachiman is pretty useless except for Feet and Hands in different situations. As a SAM at 75, when you gain access to merits, you will end up building yourself a six hit build to WS. With capped Store TP and a Rajas + Usukane/Hachiman Feet you can hit that no problem. However, as you said you are limited options wise so I would say sell the whole set aside from Hands and Feet, they can be used for your build until better options open up. Change up your rings with accuracy rings like Sniper's/Woodsman's/Ecphoria/Toreador Rings and WS in STR rings as of the norm. Use Smart Grenade in the ammo slot for the attack also.

I'm still (unfortunately) stuck on CoP 2.5, the Mammet's battle. I've been looking on FFXIclopedia for tips, and was told by a LS member to get a Roshi Jinpachi at 73, use that with Myochin Kote and Tonosama Rice balls due to the bonuses you get.

Food Effects: (30 minutes, All Races)
HP +15
Dexterity +3
Vitality +3
Charisma +3
Additional Food Effects
with Myochin Kote or Roshi Jinpachi:
(Wearing both doubles the effect below)
Attack +50
Defense +30
Double Attack +1

I have a Venerer's Ring, but haven't used that since before I hit 50. I'm using the Lightning Bow for the DEX bonus, and I need to get another Smart Grenade with a Mule and get that sent to my main... don't ask T.T


You say you have sky at least, make sure you get both Haidates up there, Shura for Weaponskill till Usukane/Hachiryu and Byakkos for TP until you gain the full Usukane set. And uh.. yeah, try and get Hagun, its the best weapon a SAM can get really.

I did get Sky access due to another LS helping with ZM, but haven't joined a Sky LS yet, at least not til I have my RDM and SAM at 75 (My warped reasoning towards that, is due to the fact I want to have a variety of jobs available, so I can offer more to the Sky LS. At the moment, DRG, DRK and SMN are 75, with SAM at 71 and RDM at 60.).


(Yes I know thats drifting away from events things you want filtered, but the options are simply the best you can get in some points so some are impossible to avoid eventually.)

Thanks for the advice, now got to get my LS's act in gear and get started on finishing off ZM, CoP etc.

Try to find yourself a CoP linkshell if your current ones aren't going to do it. I imagine most servers have one... I know Fairy has an active one that's good - I got into it right before I left for Korea and quit the game again, haha ><

Just hit 72 SAM yesterday... got some new gear (Shigeto Bow, Pole Grip, Ecphoria Ring and Fuma Sune-ate), also a LS member has loaned me their Hagun to use (Until I hit 73 and can use my Onimaru or I do the 'Sheep in Antlion's Clothing' ENM and hopefully get a Hagun drop for myself), and I can already see a difference in how I do in battles.

At first I admit, I was skeptical about the Hagun. Admittedly it did seem to me, at the time, a overpriced and overhyped weapon (Much like the Barone Corazza Armor for DRG, which it is imo). However... having said that and then trying it out, I have revised my opinion of the Hagun. Yes, it is a great weapon for SAM's, and now I'm trying (in vain in feels like) to get a group together for a run on the above ENM.

I honestly can say, the Hagun IS a 'must have' for any self respecting SAM.