The Samurai Warrior, following the Code of Bushido. A way of honor, a way of life, a way of combat. The lands of the East bring a swift lightly clad warrior with a strong heart.

Class: Warrior Tag: (BW)
Armor: up to Splint mail and Breastplate
Helm: any Shield: never
Wpn: Great Sword is ideal, see below
Items: most allowed, depends on their 'path' Some restrictions on Whale, Heavens, Wizardry
Spells: although many will not exercise them greatly, all spells are allowed the BW.

The Bushido Warrior feels himself to be freed from the tyranny of the quest for dexterity. His agility comes from his light armor, not from neglecting STR for DEX. He is free like few other warriors to pump strength and vitality at an early age, hoping to pick up the sword of honor (Great Sword) as soon as possible.

The Bushido Warrior lives to slay Knights. Gorash runs (zip to 15, kill Laz Lair, clear 16, not missing Gorash) are very common. Only the deepest denizens have a chance of dropping a prized King's or Emerald Katana or Awesome Breastplate.

Just before or after their third dot, (but for some, at birth) Bushido Warriors make a decision about the path they will take. This path is an strong emphasis, not a set of hard rules:

The Way of the Mind - excel in strong magics, slaying foes from afar, and exterminating survivors by the sword. Only Bushido Warriors on this path may wear Amulets of Wizardry, and the Light Breastplate of Naj.

The Way of the Body - focuses on keeping the body in best possible shape, with extremely high hit points. None but these shall wear body armor of the sacred Whale, endure the stigma of the Crest of Fools, or wear Amulets of the kingly Lion.

The Way of the Heavens - strong in faith as well as in deed, only they may use weapons and Amulets of the Heavens, and Celestial Star. It is not uncommon to wear many Dragon's items and be protected by a shield of purest mana. They would cherish Godly Splint Mail.

The Way of Slaughter - the coldest and fiercest of the Bushido Warrior, they alone can wield Merciless weapons, The Grizzly, and Amulets of Titans.

The Way of the Goth - One tribe of Bushido warriors were invaded long years ago by a band of bandit Goths. The struggle was perilous, but in the end the Bushido tribe survived. They learned to forge lightweight, low AC Gothic armor of highest quality, and use body, mind and metal together to deceive and defeat their foes. They alone wear Gothic Plate (yet the bulkier Blessed/Saint/Awe not allowed, only up to Valiant and Glorious), for its noble appearance and high durability. Being purists, they distain the two-handed sword, using only a Great Sword and Wakizashi. This order also tends towards semi-stealth.

The Way of Peace - Ambassadors of the Way of Bushido, their zeal is to help others and to be able to take punishment. They cherish -dfe items to avoid stunlock - the main nemesis of the BW. They alone wear the Scavenger's Carapace or the Protector (the only Staff and only user allowed for BW). Some use a Holy Defender or Absorption Shield *as* their weapon (not with one). An osmotic helm and ROE pair would complete the outfit for up to -30 dfe.

The Way of Gold - the Elitist Bushido Warrior who seeks the fabled Grandfather and the gold jewels (both Amulet and Rings) to wield it effectively. Perfect or gold amulets are allowed, as are any gold rings. Weapon, armor, helm must be unique. When King, and with the Grandfather only, may the Elite BW receive the hightest honor, the right to wear a shield with his banner. Only SNOB spells are allowed.

Weapons- ONLY swords are used by the Bushido Warrior. When young, one handed swords are used (no shield), while they work up to the Great Sword. Once able to wield it, they will never be without a Great Sword on their person, even if a Two-Handed Sword or a 1H sword is used. Boss creatures must ALWAYS be opposed at that point with their Katana (Great Sword). They should also carry a Wakizashi (short sword, falchion, long sword) to complete the outfit. At youngest levels, a Soldier's Wakizashi is considered a highly suitable choice. (Exceptions to these rules are the shield as weapon, or the Protector, for the Way of Peace)

Buying, Finding, Receiving Large Swords -
Wirt- Great Swords are very expensive, and no King's sold, and only a unprefixed Champion's or King's two-Handed is available. Neither are good tohit/dmg and Carnage/Slaughter for sale Plain Merciless is, for about 120K, and imperfect Emeralds. A low-end Weird (+82) is possible, as is a low quality (132) Ruthless Great Sword of Speed. For Two-handeds, Merciless/Speed and Strange/Speed are possible.

Gris- King's Great Swords? only low quality non-suffix for sale. A perfect Master's Speed is 125K. Meteoric/Savage + Speed/Haste are more common. Master/Meteor/Savage + Vamp/Blood/Hvns sold too. For two-handed's, Kings is sold with Vampire,Blood,Speed,Gore, Bashing,Haste, but not Heavens. (a +175% dmg Great Sword does base 27-55, not shabby)

Gifts- A Bushido Warrior may receive a Two-Handed or Great Sword as a gift, but ONLY when he has found/bought for himself one of equal type. (ie, you can UPGRADE his base type with a gift, but not out of the blue give a Great KSOV to a lvl 20 BW) For this purpose, consider Speed-Haste-Hvns equivalently good, and Blood-Vamp-Gore-Titans.

Dungeon- Emerald and nice King's Katanas wait to be found!

Uniques- No changes, the uniques are allowed if the base type is. Several favorite, however, include the Grandfather, the Overlord's Helm, the Gotterdamerung and Royal Circlet.

Level Restrictions -
* The right to wield the Katana is earned by defeating the traitor Lazarus.
* The Bushido Warrior becomes a Knight after killing Diablo unaided, and may wear Knights' weapons.
* Similarly, after second and third dot, the title and right are Lord's and King's.