Swordsman (Stranger of Paradise)

Swordsmen are formidable fighters who combine an arsenal of offensive and defensive capabilities with powerful charge attacks.

Tutorial Description

The Swordsman is a Basic Job in Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, and is the first job available to Jack at the start of the game. Leveling this job is required to unlock the Knight, Warrior, and Berserker jobs. Swordsman is a Defender type job able to use greatswords that strike balance between offensive and defensive play. These weapons can deal serious damage to foes, but can be sluggish and slow in certain situations.

Abilities[]

Job Action[]

Ability	MP Cost	Description	Movie
Spinning Slash	100~	[Attack Type: Slash] [Stat Bonus: Stamina] A spinning slash-type attack. Hold to continue spinning and gradually pick up speed. Switch to a charged attack by pressing , or an enhanced guard by pressing . [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.

Its Job Action is Spinning Slash, a quick and powerful attack that can toss the surrounding enemies away from the Swordsman. The character will continue spinning until they run out of MP, gaining more and more speed with each rotation and even more speed through its mastery passive.

Command Ability[]

Ability	Job Points	MP Cost	Required Ability to Unlock	Description	Movie
Reinforce	5	100	Onslaught	Temporarily decreases the amount of time required to charge certain attacks and the likelihood of being staggered.

The Swordsman obtains the Reinforce support ability that can decrease the charge time required for any chargeable attack while decreasing the character's stagger chance. This extends to casting gauges, normal attacks, and all chargeable combo abilities, making for an excellent boon any Caster or Defender type job.

Combo Abilities[]

Ability	Type	Job Points	MP Cost	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Onslaught	Greatsword Combo	3	100	Swordsman Affinity +10%	[Attack Type: Slash/Strike] [Stat Bonus: Stamina] Lunge forward, then slash and strike foes with successive attacks. [Link 1 Ability] Can be set to >.
Piercing Thrust	Greatsword Combo	7	100	Warrior's Ward	[Attack Type: Pierce] [Stat Bonus: Agility] Unleash a piercing attack that deals heavy break damage to enemies. [Link 2 Ability] Can be set to >>.
Highbringer	Greatsword Combo	10	200	Even Stronger	[Attack Type: Slash] [Stat Bonus: Strength] Deal great damage with multiple slashes that send enemies flying. [Link 3 Ability] Can be set to >>>.

Combo Effects[]

Ability	Job Points	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Warrior's Ward	5	Onslaught	[Weapon Type: Greatsword] [Charged Attack Link] Enhances abilities set to Hold >. Decreases damage taken while the ability is active.
Even Stronger	7	Reinforce	[Weapon Type: Greatsword] [Enhanced Guard Attack Link] Enhances abilities set to Hold >>>. Increases physical damage dealt.

Swordsman is able to use greatswords that strike balance between offensive and defensive play. These weapons can deal serious damage to foes, but can be sluggish and slow in certain situations. The combo effects build on this with its damage reduction and simple increase in physical damage dealt.

Job Passives[]

Ability	Job Points	MP Cost	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
All Damage -1.7%	1	—	Spinning Slash	Decreases damage taken.
Swordsman Affinity +15%	2	—	All Damage -1.7%	Increases swordsman job affinity.
Swordsman Affinity +10%	1	—	Spinning Slash	Increases swordsman job affinity.
Guard Break Gauge Depletion -4.8%	9	—	Piercing Thrust	Decreases break damage taken with a successful guard.
Slash Damage +2.9%	9	—	Piercing Thrust	Increases slash damage dealt.
Guard Break Gauge Depletion -4.8%	4	—	Onslaught	Decreases break damage taken with a successful guard.
Spinning Slash Mastery	6	—	Guard Break Gauge Depletion -4.8%	Decreases MP consumption when using spinning slash in succession.
Swordsman Affinity +25%	8	—	Spinning Slash Mastery	Increases swordsman job affinity.
All Damage -5.5%	9	—	Even Stronger	Decreases damage taken.
Slash Damage +3.3%	12	—	Highbringer	Increases slash damage dealt.

Job/Class Unlocks[]

These nodes lead to the following Advanced Jobs/Job Classes:

Ability	Type	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
New Job: Knight	Job Unlock	Slash Damage +2.9%	Partial unlock for the Knight Job. Also requires a similar ability in the Swordfighter Job Tree.
New Job: Warrior	Job Unlock	Highbringer	Partial unlock for the Warrior Job. Also requires a similar ability in the Ronin Job Tree.
New Job: Berserker	Job Unlock	Highbringer	Partial unlock for the Berserker Job. Also requires a similar ability in the Marauder Job Tree.
New Class: Conqueror	Class Unlock	All Swordsman tree abilities	Unlocks the Evocation Class for Swordsman, Conqueror. Only available in the Trials of the Dragon King DLC.
New Class: Lightbreaker Champion	Class Unlock	All Swordsman tree abilities	Unlocks the Ultima Class for Swordsman, Lightbreaker Champion. Only available in the Trials of the Dragon King DLC.

Class Trees[]

Introduced in the Trials of the Dragon King DLC, These classes are unlocked after visiting Bahamut's Cave and completing the "A Token of Courage and Strength" conversation with Bahamut and the abilities thereof can be bought by using Rat Tails which are accumulated by completing missions on the Bahamut difficulty onward and purchasing them from the Bahamut Exchange Shop via Dragon Treasures:

Conqueror[]

Ability	Type	Rat Tails	Required Ability to Unlock	Description	Movie
Rush Assault	Job Action	—	All Swordsman tree abilities	Spinning Slash + [Class Change Effect: Evocation] Gain the guard attribute while spinning. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.

Ability	Type	Rat Tails	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Stamina +7	Passive	2	Rush Assault	Increases stamina.
HP +212	Passive	6	Stamina +7	Increases HP by 212.
Luck +6	Passive	8	HP +212	Increases luck.
Swordsman Master Points +3	Passive	13	Luck +6	Increases swordsman master points acquired.
Break +160	Passive	10	HP +212	Increases break by 160.
Agility +5	Passive	12	Break +160	Increases agility.
Spirit +5	Passive	2	Rush Assault	Increases spirit.
Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Passive	4	Spirit +5	Increases resistance to status ailments.
Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Passive	6	Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Increases magic vulnerability resistances.
Strength +7	Passive	8	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases strength.
Speed Buster	Combo Ability Effects	14	Strength +7	[Weapon Type: Greatsword] [3rd Link] Enhances abilities set to >>. Increases attack speed.
Intellect +5	Passive	8	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases intellect.
Swordsman Master Points +3	Passive	13	Intellect +5	Increases swordsman master points acquired.

Lightbreaker Champion[]

Ability	Type	Rat Tails	Required Ability to Unlock	Description	Movie
Wind Shear	Job Action	—	All Swordsman tree abilities	Spinning Slash + [Class Change Effect: Ultima] Draw in enemies while spinning. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.

Ability	Type	Rat Tails	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Stamina +7	Passive	2	Wind Shear	Increases stamina.
HP +212	Passive	6	Stamina +7	Increases HP by 212.
Luck +6	Passive	8	HP +212	Increases luck.
Swordsman Master Points +3	Passive	13	Luck +6	Increases swordsman master points acquired.
Break +160	Passive	10	HP +212	Increases break by 160.
Agility +5	Passive	12	Break +160	Increases agility.
Spirit +5	Passive	2	Wind Shear	Increases spirit.
Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Passive	4	Spirit +5	Increases resistance to status ailments.
Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Passive	6	Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Increases magic vulnerability resistances.
Strength +7	Passive	8	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases strength.
Breaking Blow	Combo Ability Effects	14	Strength +7	[Weapon Type: Greatsword] [Parry Link] Enhances abilities set to After Parry: . Enemies broken or brought to 0 HP by this attack will be finished with a soul burst.
Intellect +5	Passive	8	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases intellect.
Swordsman Master Points +3	Passive	13	Intellect +5	Increases swordsman master points acquired.

Gameplay[]

The role of the Swordsman as a Basic job can be quite limited. In the lower levels, Swordsman is expected to tank enemy creatures. It can become primarily offensive in nature, dealing heavy blows to quickly deplete enemy health and break enemy formation. At later levels, a Swordsman can be a useful tank with its Enhanced Guard trait and the Conqueror class to remain defensive while maintaining a stable damage output. This job excels the most out of any job with the use of Greatswords.

Strengths[]

Very high damage capacity with greatswords.
Good defensive options, making it easier to learn the game combat mechanics with.
Reinforce, Lunatic, and Sovereign of the Skies make it a popular job for increasing physical attack DPS with overwhelming speed along with Speed Buster.

Weaknesses[]

Not the most desirable tank.
Can lead to reckless habits due to its slow speed and Agility.
Strength and Stamina leaves some to desire as a basic jobs.
Not as specialized. It can easily be replaced by Berserker or Breaker for damage, or Liberator or Knight for tanking.

Stats[]

The job gives a stat bonus to Stamina, giving the character increased physical defense, thus helping them survive more enemy attacks.

Job Stat Rating and Growth by Level
Stat	Rating	Lvl 1	Lvl 30	Lvl 55	Lvl 80	Lvl 99	Lvl 120	Lvl 135	Lvl 150+
HP	B	954	1548	2011	2135	2237	2368	2462	2556
Strength	B	16	19	32	32	32	32	32	32
Agility	D	14	17	28	28	28	28	28	28
Stamina	B	16	19	32	32	32	32	32	32
Intellect	D	14	17	28	28	28	28	28	28
Spirit	D	14	17	28	28	28	28	28	28
Luck	C	15	17	30	30	30	30	30	30

Job Affinity bonuses[]

Most weapons and items of clothing have a certain percentage of Job Affinity for a certain job. By combining them together and raising this percentage, the character may not only gain extra EXP to that Job, but also unlock abilities and bonuses to their stats. The bonuses for the Swordsman Job Affinity are:

Name	Job Affinity percentage	Description
Swordsman's Wisdom I	20%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). Stamina+2
Swordsman's Wisdom II	30%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). HP+25 Stamina+2
Defense Bonus I	50%	Decreases damage taken by 5.9% during attacks.
Swordsman's Wisdom III	80%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). HP+50 Strength+2 Stamina+4
Defense Bonus I	120%	Decreases damage taken by 9.8% during attacks.
Swordsman's Wisdom IV	160%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). HP+75 Strength+4 Stamina+6
Soldier's Soul	250%	Greatsword: Increases attack speed on a successful enhanced guard.
Greatsword Master	400%	Greatsword: Enables the use of all weapon abilities for the greatsword and increases damage dealt with greatsword combo abilities. Including Spinning Slash.
Memories of a Scarred Mercenary	600%	Reduces the MP cost of greatsword combo abilities while a greatsword is equipped. Also enhances the effects of Swordsman's Wisdom.
Swordsman's Essence	800%	Enhances the effects of Swordsman's Wisdom, and also boosts stats based on your affinity.

Recommended Subjobs[]

Ninja[]

Ninja is the most common support job for any job. Utsusemi is helpful to avoid any attack when the Swordsman gains the greatest enmity or in case they need to Provoke to save other party members, making it very useful when tackling higher level enemies who can kill with one attack.

Samurai[]

Samurai is a valuable support job for Swordsmen who want to take advantage of the greatsword's Enhanced Guard trait and defensive combo abilities. Samurai both helps the Warrior gain MP quickly through the Meikyo-Shisui ability and the normal attack MP Recovery thereof, but it also provides the ability Mind's Eye which gives abilities a Critical boost after parrying.

Monk[]

Monk probably remains the most popular support job for Swordsmen at any level. The Monk's stats compliment Swordsmen well and provide a moderate boost in total HP and means of quick attacks. Also, the Monk's Focus ability is useful for total damage output and damage mitigation.

Thief[]

Thief is a good support job upon reaching level 30 and obtaining the Rouge Evocation class. Mug grants the chance to gain a Potion with every steal attempt, which makes it a good choice for healing in addition to agile attacks. Thief also will assist in stats with the Azure Lore support ability, which spends any Instant Abilities stolen to increase stats. Thief-specific job traits such as Treasure Hunter are among other important boosts that help any job.

Recommended Weapon Abilities[]

Greatswords[]


Ability	MP Cost	Description	Required Weapon/Affinity
Power Impact	100	[Attack Type: Strike] [Stat Bonus: Stamina] Raise your guard and charge at the enemy to deliver a striking blow. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Greatsword Hardedge Organyx Greatsword Master Affinity
Batter	100	[Attack Type: Strike] [Stat Bonus: Stamina] Overwhelm your enemies with a series of crushing blows. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Greatsword Hardedge Organyx Greatsword Master Affinity
Tenebrous Blast	200	[Attack Type: Slash] [Stat Bonus: Strength/Agility] Leap at an enemy while spinning. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Claymore Defender Durandal Greatsword Master Affinity
Dragon Tail	200	[Attack Type: Slash] [Stat Bonus: Strength/Stamina] Deliver a single powerful slash that deals heavy break damage. Hold [Ability] to increase the attack's power. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Barbarian's Sword Ragnarok Greatsword Master Affinity
Skybreaker	100	[Attack Type: Pierce] [Stat Bonus: Strength/Stamina] Ready your weapon before lunging forward with a piercing attack. Hold [Ability] to increase the attack's power. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Barbarian's Sword Ragnarok Greatsword Master Affinity