Samurai multiclass/prestige class help

[ak grown]

My gaming group is starting up a new campaign and I'm leaning toward creating a Samurai and would love some pointers about some strong possibilities for eventually either multiclassing it or choosing a prestige class at some point.

After doing a lot of my own research, the possibilities and information is rather overwhelming, so any input from people who have played a Samurai or have played in campaigns with them would be much appreciated. Basically I wanna deal as much damage as possible...

Also, while I've got your attention, would a Samurai make a good tank? I believe my group will be in need of one.

[Nihilarian]

3.0, 3.5 or Pathfinder?

The 3.0 Samurai is roughly equivalent to a Fighter. Less feats, but easier access to bonus damage.

3.5 Samurai is just terrible. The best part of the class is exchanging it for Ronin.

The Pathfinder Samurai is pretty tanky, and can deal some good damage with a mounted charge.

[gorfnab]

Besides the various Samurai classes mentioned by Nihilarian, you could also consider going with Samurai as a character concept (like Miko from OotS, she's Monk/Paladin with the title of Samurai (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0209.html)). Warblades and Swordsages make decent melee based Samurai.

[Red Fel]

Besides the various Samurai classes mentioned by Nihilarian, you could also consider going with Samurai as a character concept (like Miko from OotS, she's Monk/Paladin with the title of Samurai (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0209.html)). Warblades and Swordsages make decent melee based Samurai.

Profoundly this. Don't get bogged down on Class Name as the definitive factor; you can play a Samurai in any number of ways. A Ranger with two-weapon fighting can be a swordsman in the vein of Musashi's Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu; a Fighter, Crusader, or Knight can be a samurai in a lord's retinue; a Paladin can be a holy warrior in service to a temple; and so on.

Warblade especially.

With regard to tanking, D&D doesn't do it well. Half of tanking is taking a hit, and there are plenty of classes that are good at that, but the other half is convincing enemies to prioritize attacking you over your vulnerable allies. And that's hard, because most such mechanics are limited by your reach, or require a save - meaning there's very little stopping an enemy from maneuvering around you to get to your squishies. Crusader with Thicket of Blades + Stand Still + Combat Reflexes and a reach weapon is a pretty solid choice, and has the bonus of dishing out more punishment as he takes more damage.

[BWR]

OA, d20 Rokugan and Way of the Samurai have samurai specific prestige classes you may find interesting.

[Person_Man]

My opinion is that basically every non-homebrew version of the Samurai from 3.0 onwards is mediocre to terrible. (Though check out the Knight Champion fix in my homebrew signature if that's allowed).

Dealing lots of damage with any full BAB class is fairly simple though. Optimize Power Attack (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7165087), get lots of attacks (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7066595), and get some form of Pounce (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103358).