Great Katanas

The Great Katana (commonly called "GK" in-game) is the most common weapon of the Samurai. In fact, it's probably the only viable weapon. Samurais can also equip polearms and some swords, but there are only a select few that hold a candle to the Great Katanas.

Level 1: Mumeito

The Mumeito is the starting Great Katana which you obtain during your Samurai job quest. Hang onto it after you outgrow it, it'll be useful when you want to obtain your AF sword at level 42.

Level 2–23

There isn't an overwhelming amount of selection in Great Katanas until the late 20's. You'll want to upgrade to the strongest (highest Damage) GKs as you level, and there's really only one to choose from at each stage. They are: Tachi (Lvl 8), Uchigatana (Lv 12), Nodachi (Lv 16), Gunromaru (Lv 20), Okanehira (Lv 23).

The exception is the possibility of acquiring a Katayama Ichimonji. This is a rare/exclusive Great Katana that can only be obtained by defeating Carnero, an NM in Sough Gustaberg. This GK is stronger and will last longer. If you have the time to fight for this GK, go for it — but it isn't neccessary and if you're interested in leveling quickly, I wouldn't bother.

Level 26, 27

The Kanesada becomes available at level 26, but I'd recommend waiting until you can weild the Kotetsu at level 27. The Kotetsu has a little better damage.

Level 34: Homura or Koen

At level 34, you can upgrade to a Homura, Homura +1 or a Koen. The +1 version of any Great Katana is the better choice — if you can afford it. The Koen has an Enfire enhancement which gives it a bit of an edge, but isn't a big deal.

Level 34: Ashura

The Ashura is a decent Great Katana. An upgrade to 45 Damage with 420 Delay. The Ashura +1 high quality version offers 46 Damage with only 407 Delay.

Level 37: Hosodachi

The next upgrade brings you up to 51 damage, or 52 with the Hosodachi +1.

Level 40: Kagehide<

This one provides 54 damage, a little more than the Hosodachi, and +2 VIT. A minor upgrade, and probably not worth it, since your AF is coming up in two levels.

Level 42: Magoroku

The Magoroku is the first piece of Samurai AF. It's Rare/Exclusive, meaning you can only obtain it through the first Samurai AF quest, The Sacred Katana. It provides 56 damage with a delay of 450, as well as +1 STR and +1 AGI. The extra strength is a nice bonus for weapon skills — all Samurai weapon skills are based on strength.

Level 48: Odenta

If you're tired of your AF Great Katana already, you can upgrade to the Odenta to get an extra 7 damage. This one will usually cost a little more, however, since it's dropped from a BCNM in Waughroon Shrine. If you don't mind fronting the Gil for this one, it's a nice upgrade. Otherwise, you can grab a new one at 50 or 51.

Level 50–51: Koryukagemitsu, Soboro and Kiku-Ichimonji

At level 50, two new Great Katanas become available. The Soboro Sukehiro is kind of misleading — it only does 40 damage, but it has an extra enhancement which allows you to occasionally attack two or three times on a single turn. That's not bad for building TP if you're focusing on your skillchains. It's Rare/Exclusive and drops off of the Unstable Cluster NM in Riverne - Site #B01.

The alternative at 50 is the Koryukagemitsu, which offers 67 damage, +1 STR and +2 Accuracy. Accuracy is a very valuable attribute for Samurai, but this GK is usually very expensive. If you're rich, go for it.

At 51, you can upgrade to the Kiku-Ichimonji. This one offers 66 points of damage. If you want to journey to Norg and have enough Tenshodo fame, you can buy this for 189,945 Gil from Jirokichi. Otherwise, you might find yourself waiting for 54.

Level 54: Jindachi

The Jindachi offers few perks, but upgrades your damage to 69, or 70 for the Jindachi +1. Definitely the next upgrade.

Level 56: Raikiri

The Raikiri gives 69 dmg and has the fantastic advantage of Accuracy +3. In addition, you get an Attack +10 bonus in Thunder weather. The catch: the Raikiri lowers your movement speed. For that reason, it's a good idea to hold onto your Jindachi so that you can still carry a GK and retain your movement speed, but switch to the Raikiri when you arrive at your EXP camp.

Level 59: Daihannya

This sword is usually pricy, but has a very nice 72 damage and Strength +3 effect. Now, I tend to prefer Accuracy and DEX over Strength for Samurai, so I didn't use this GK at all — I went with the Gold Musketeer's Uchigatana. If you're preference is STR, however, this is the sword for you, and it'll last you for quite a while.

Level 60: Gold Musketeer's Uchigatana or Omokage

The Gold Musketeer's Uchigatana has only 66 damage, but gives you Accuracy +4 and Attack +4, and occasionally causes some extra Earth damage.

The Omokage also does 66 damage, but instead has DEX +4 and Store TP +2. The Store TP effect is nice, but might not be that noticable. This one is also rare and usually expensive, and the Accuracy/Attack bonus of the alternative usually makes the Gold Musketeer's Uchigatana a better choice.

Level 61: Zanbato?

The Zanbato ups your damage to 73, or 74 with the Zanbato +1. That number can be tempting, but don't let it fool you. The Accuracy and Attack of the Gold Musketeer's Uchigatana (or the Strength of the Daihannya) still overpower this one. It's your call, but I'd wait until level 665 before even considering a replacement.

Level 66—67: Sukesada and Kazaridachi

The Sukesada gives 69 damage, Attack +7 and a slight increase of Double Attacks if you're subbing Warrior. If you do play SAM/WAR the most, this might be the choice for you, but in most cases, I wouldn't choose this one.

The Kazaridachi offers 76 damage, or 77 in its +1 form. That's hard to argue with. I think an upgrade is in order.

Level 70: Kamewari

With 79 damage and Accuracy +5, this is a great Great Katana. The problem with it, however, is that its only dropped by Amikiri in Gustav Tunnel. Amikiri only comes up about once per Earth day, and takes about 10 people over 70 to kill. If you have that many friends who aren't busy at once, go for it. Otherwise, wait for 72.

Level 72: Hagun (or whatever)

The Hagun is the way to go at 72. It's a potential end-game weapon, it does 75 damage and offers a TP bonus. It's very expensive, but usually worth it. Farm, garden, craft… whatever you need to do.

Do not confuse TP Bonus with Store TP. TP Bonus does not affect how much TP is earned — instead, it gives an extra 100% TP to your Weapon Skills that is only visible in the damage done. So, if you do a WS with 100% TP, it will do as much damage as if you had 200% TP. A 200% hit does as much as 300% would. (The maximum is still 300, though, so having full TP means the TP Bouns has no effect.

If you're not willing to strive for a Hagun, the Shinkotetsu is cheaper and does 79 damage. It's no Hagun, but it'll get you by. The Shinsoku does 80 damage, and is attractive because of its Strength +5 and TP Drain effect. The high, high price of this Great Katana, however, makes it mostly not worth it. I still say Hagun.

Level 73: A few options

Level 73 offers a small handful of options.

The Onimaru is one that stands out. This one does 77 damage, and has a latent effect of 83 damage. That latent effect is always present when your TP is past 100, which makes for some high-damage weapon skills. It's not expensive to obtain one, either, so you might want to have one along with a Hagun anyways.

The Butachi and Butachi +1 offer 80 and 81 damage, respectively. With a little extra DEX, VIT, Fire resistance and a dash of HP, they're not a horrible choice. I would still prefer a Hagun, but at least this can upgrade your Shinkotetsu if you went in that direction. Along the same lines is the Ushikirimaru, which does a little more damage with a STR and Enimity bonus. This GK also gives you extra Vitality when fighting beasts, which is obscure but good for the occasion. It's Rare/Exclusive, though, and can only be obtained by killing Zipacna in Ve'Lugannon Palace.

The 75 Options

Amanomurakumo: 88 Damage. Accuracy +20. That's right... plus twenty. Plus Tachi: Kaiten. And it occasionally weakens your enemy's attacks. It's a tease, though, as Relic Weapons are extremely expensive and labour-intensive to obtain.