Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 10 Week 17: Chinese vs Japanese

Last civ match up discussion of the year! And yes, this makes 52 total discussions for all of 2020 - one discussion every single week!

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Hello and welcome back for another Age of Empires 2 civilization match up discussion! This is a series where we discuss the various advantages, disadvantages, and quirks found within the numerous match ups of the game. The goal is to collectively gain a deeper understanding of how two civilizations interact with each other in a variety of different settings. Feel free to ask questions, pose strategies, or provide insight on how the two civilizations in question interact with each other on any map type and game mode. This is not limited to 1v1 either. Feel free to discuss how the civilizations compare in team games as well! So long as you are talking about how the two civilizations interact, anything is fair game! Last week we discussed the Khmer vs Tatars, and next up is the Chinese vs Japanese!

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Chinese: Archer Balanced civilization

• Start with +3 Villagers; but -50w, 200f
• Techs cost -10/15/20% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• Town Centers support 10 population, have +5 LoS
• Demolition Ships +50% hp
• TEAM BONUS: Farms +45 food
• Unique Unit: Chu Ko No (Powerful foot archer that rapid-fires in quick succession)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Great Wall (Walls and Towers +30% hp)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Rocketry (Chu Ko Nu + 2 attack; Scorpions +4 attack)

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Japanese: Infantry ^{and Naval} civilization

• Fishing Ships x2 hp; +0/+2 armor; work +5/10/15/20% faster per Age
• Mills, Lumber Camps, and Mining Camps cost -50%
• Infantry attack +33% faster starting in Feudal Age
• TEAM BONUS: Galleys +50% LoS
• Unique Unit: Samurai (Fast-attacking infantry with bonus damage vs other UUs)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Yasama (Towers shoot 2 additional arrows)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Kataparuto (Trebuchets attack +33% faster, pack/unpack 4x faster)

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Below are some match up-specific talking points to get you all started. These are just to give people ideas, you do not need to address them specifically if you do not want to!

• You all know the drill (not the Mongol UT)! For 1v1 on open maps, Chinese are usually considered to be one of the very best civs out there, whereas Japanese are typically seen as solid, but not outstanding. However, I think this is one of the times we have to ask "how open of a map are we talking?". Chinese can struggle in early Feudal Age, and Japanese are one of the best civs at applying early game pressure. Do you think this match up hinges on the Japanese player doing damage early?
• On closed maps, Chinese used to be considered top-tier, whereas Japanese were again thought of as somewhat middling. However, since Chinese lost Redemption, their weakness to Onagers has been exacerbated on these types of maps. Japanese do not have SO, but they do have decent Onagers and a very cost-efficient army. How do these civs compare on maps like Arena, Hideout, and BF?
• In team games, both of these civs would certainly rather be flank than pocket. Both have fully upgraded Arbs and deadly late game tower pushes, the difference lies in the fact that Chinese have a stronger eco and access to Chu Ko Nu and Siege Rams, whereas Japanese are better able to apply early pressure, have top-tier halbs, and super strong trebuchets. Which one do you think is the superior flank?

Thanks as always for participating all year long! Unfortunately the timing is *slightly* off, as next week we will finish round 10 with the Byzantines vs Mayans. Hope to see you there! :)

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3