Samurai

Some notes:

• This post doesn't include any of the Buddhist or Zen religious influences so that you can pop this into whatever fantasy world you have made
• I have tried to avoid any specific cultural references such as Bushido so that it should fit in whatever culture you choose
• Based upon the Gladiator in the D&D 5E Monster Manual 

Samurai are the eastern equivalent of a western knight. They are military-trained nobility that swear allegiance to a feudal lord (daimyo in Japanese culture) and follow a strict code of conduct. Honour and Duty are paramount to a Samurai warrior, and a loss of honour was considered worse than death.

Common traits among Samurai was  meditation to calm the mind, needless killing was an abhorrent act, ritual suicide was an acceptable method to regain honour, unwavering loyalty to your lord unto death, and that honour and rank is placed above all else.

Notes

• Samurai were educated in the art of strategy so that they could be effective officers. They usually lead troops in battle.  
• Samurai were accomplished martial artists, and could fight with a range of weaponry (including their bare hands). They are always seeking to improve their combat effectiveness through training and practice.
• Samurai are extremely strict on each other when it comes to their code of honour. Any Samurai who fails at upholding this code are cast out and shunned by all, including former allies.

Samurai

Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment (tending towards lawful)

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Armor Class 16 (chain mail)

Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)

Speed 30 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	10 (0)	12 (+1)	15 (+2)

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Skills Athletics +10, Persuasion +5

Saving throws Str +7, Dex +5, Con +6

Senses passive Perception 11

Languages any one language (usually Common)

Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

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Brave. The samurai has advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Focus. As a bonus action on their turn, the samurai enters a calm state of mind and focuses on their opponents. This focus lasts for 1 minute and ends early if the samurai has not attacked or taken damage since the beginning of their last turn. The samurai cannot casts spells while in focus. The samurai must take a short or long rest before they can use this ability again.

While focused the samurai gains the following benefits:

• They have advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws
• When they hit with a melee weapon attack, they gain + 2 bonus to the damage roll (see the weapon entry for the focus damage entry)
• They have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage.

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Actions

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Multiattack. The samurai makes three melee attacks or two ranged attacks.

Katana (Longsword). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage, or 9 (1d10 + 4) when held with two hands.
Focus: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage, or 11 (1d10 + 6) when held with two hands.

Tanto (Dagger). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage. Can be thrown with a range of 20/60.
Focus: 8 (1d6 + 6) piercing damage.

Short Bow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 80/320., two-handed, one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.

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Reactions

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Parry. The samurai adds 3 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the samurai must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.