With (at least) 2/8 polearm* merits, this becomes the ideal polearm (and weapon in general) for Samurai in fifty cap areas (such as the ENM50, Pulling the Plug), due to other polearms above the cap seemingly being shunted severely in damage.
That, and Penta Thrust blows Tachi: Jinpu out of the water (Soboro Sukehiro ideally on this end of the spectrum).
If there's one thing to keep around for level caps as a melee, it's your weapons, simply.
*2/8 polearm merits on Samurai allows you to use Penta Thrust in fifty cap areas.
