Facing the Japanese in Age of Empires 4 can feel like a mighty samurai is knocking at your gates. With their robust economy and fierce fighters, they pose a unique challenge on the battlefield.
Fear not, for this guide is your ally in understanding the heart of their power. We’ll equip you with the knowledge to disrupt their strategies, dismantle their forces, and claim victory.
Embrace the wisdom within these pages, and your next battle with the Japanese could be a masterclass in triumph.
Key Takeaways
To counter the Japanese in AOE4, focus on Age 3 timing while delaying their feudal push. Knights are effective against Japanese units, so engage them head-on only with knights. Make a fast stable, produce horses, and disrupt their resource collection. Remember, Japanese units deal extra damage against infantry, so avoid using man-at-arms against them
Key Strengths of the Japanese in AOE4
When you face the Japanese in AOE4, prepare to contend with their economic resilience and strong defensive structures.
Their villagers are efficient at resource collection, producing a surplus of 10%, which can rapidly propel their economy ahead of yours. This advantage is enhanced by their resourceful buildings, such as the Farmhouse and Forge, which serve multiple purposes, consolidating their infrastructure and further advancing their economic strength.
Defensively, the Japanese present a significant challenge. Their upgrades turn Town Centers into formidable Daimyo Manors and Shogunate Castles, which serve as centers for defense and production. Their keeps, equipped with rocket emplacements, are formidable.
To mount a successful challenge, it’s critical to interrupt their economic growth early on and brace for an intense siege against their robust defenses.
Key Weaknesses of the Japanese in AOE4
Even with their strong presence on the battlefield, the Japanese’s vulnerability due to a lack of heavy armor and the absence of crossbows can be exploited in AOE4. Their units often have difficulty when facing opponents with robust armor.
Without culverins, they also find themselves at a disadvantage when facing long-range siege engines. Their Mounted Samurai, while adaptable, aren’t as effective against Spearman and Crossbowman units, as well as against heavily armored units like War Elephants and Camel Riders.
Leveraging these vulnerabilities by deploying a varied mix of units can help you take advantage of the gaps in the Japanese defenses. Careful planning and strategic moves can help you gain the upper hand against the Japanese, even in situations where their unique capabilities might typically give them an advantage.
Effective Strategies to Counter Japanese Units
Adapting your strategies to counter Japanese units in AOE4 requires attention to the game’s progression. Early on, disrupting their economy through raids is a key tactic to prevent their unique units from gaining control.
As the match progresses into the middle and end stages, use technological advancements and strategic unit combinations to outplay and overcome the strong infantry and fortifications of the Japanese.
Early Game
To counter the Japanese civilization’s early game strengths, it’s vital to exploit their initial military weaknesses by applying pressure before their economy becomes formidable. Consider these strategic approaches:
- Scout Rush: Dispatch light cavalry to harass villagers and disrupt resource gathering. Feel the rush as you undermine their economic base.
- Archer Offensive: Deploy archers to target units and maintain constant pressure. Enjoy the tactical advantage as you break their defenses.
- Economic Blockade: Control essential resources, especially gold, to hinder their unit production. Experience the gratification of cutting off your enemy’s ability to counter.
- Defensive Measures: Strengthen your positions and safeguard your own economy from potential counter-strikes. Take satisfaction in a solid defense that can fluster the adversary.
Mid Game
During the mid game phase, adapt your tactics to counter the unique units and battle methods of the Japanese player. Exploit their less speedy infantry with your more mobile cavalry, launching assaults on economic vulnerabilities.
Get your siege weapons ready to take apart their sturdy constructions, countering their notable defensive strength. Gain control of the map with advanced bases, maintaining relentless pressure.
Keep a watchful view on their troop mix—use skirmishers or bowmen against their Onna-Musha, and employ spearmen or pikemen to ward off their Mounted Samurai. Take note: their standard-bearers can strengthen their forces, so make these individuals a priority in any conflict.
Your tactical foresight and ability to adjust during this stage will be instrumental for a victory in the later stages of the game against the Japanese.
Late Game
Every strategy for the concluding phases of your game should aim at exploiting weaknesses inherent to Japanese forces, allowing you to gain an advantage as the battle draws to its end. Here are methods for ensuring your dominance:
- Heavy Cavalry Against Samurai: Utilize your heavy cavalry’s speed and strength to break through the lines of Samurai.
- Disruptive Firepower: Bring gunpowder units to bear against their formations and specifically target their Ozutsu; cannons could be a turning point.
- Resource Raids: Continuously raid their supply lines; hampering their economy restricts their ability to sustain troop numbers.
- Naval Dominance: When waterways are a factor, control them with a more powerful fleet; use fire ships to destroy their docks and fishing vessels, cutting off their maritime supplies.
Precisely executing these methods will lead to the collapse of the Japanese forces under your strategic command.
Role of Knights in Countering Japanese Units
Knights are the cavalry force of choice when you need to disrupt Japanese unit formations and their economy in AOE4. These units are perfect for direct engagements, slicing through the Samurai’s armor with ease. With their high hit points and strong attack capabilities, knights can change the outcome against Japanese infantry, including the strong Mounted Samurai.
Use knights strategically to counter feudal pushes, utilizing their quickness to break down the enemy’s economic base. Combine them with archers for a versatile attack—knights engaging in combat, while archers strike from a distance. This tactic can upset the Japanese strategy of gathering units, placing early pressure that may hinder their progress.
Timing and strategic use of knights play a vital role in gaining the upper hand against the Japanese in AOE4.
The Importance of Age 3 Timing Against Japanese
Achieving the pivotal Age 3 milestone ahead of the Japanese is a strategic advantage, as it gives you the tools to challenge their strong infantry and defenses. Keep these points in mind:
- Pressure Points: Advance rapidly to Age 3 to apply pressure during the Japanese transition period.
- Resource Denial: Target their economy aggressively to limit their funding for defense.
- Unit Superiority: Utilize knights and crossbowmen to counter their unique units with effectiveness.
- Defensive Maneuvers: Strengthen your base with strategic placements to defend against any counter-attacks from the Japanese.
Concentrating analytically on these strategies allows you to outthink your opponent at every stage of the game.
Defending Against the Japanese
To effectively counter the Japanese in AOE4, prioritizing the security of your essential resources and constructing multiple defensive layers is a smart strategy. Utilize walls and towers to create narrow passages that control enemy movement.
Position keeps in strategic locations to take advantage of their area effect against the strong infantry of the Japanese. It’s also vital to secure relics quickly; the economic advantage they provide can fund your defensive efforts.
Keep in mind, units such as Samurai and Onna-Musha from the Japanese side are formidable in straight combat, so employing hit-and-run tactics with cavalry or positioning ranged units safely behind your defenses can be effective.
Stay alert for Shinobi attempting to infiltrate—make it a habit to inspect your Villager count for these stealthy foes. Survey the battlefield and adjust your defenses to take advantage of tactical weaknesses of the Japanese forces.
