Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 12 Week 1: Japanese vs Sicilians

Two very different approaches to "Infantry + Towers with a bit of Navy"

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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 Burmese vs Tatars, and next up is the Japanese vs Sicilians!

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Japanese: Infantry^{and Naval} civilization

• Fishing Ships 2x 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 vs other UUs)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Yasama (Towers fire +2 additional arrows)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Kataparuto (Trebuchets fire +33% faster; pack/unpack 4x faster)

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Sicilians: Infantry civilization

• Castles and Town Centers built +100% faster
• Land units (except siege) receive -50% bonus damage
• Farm upgrades provide +100% additional food
• Can build Donjons starting in Feudal Age
• TEAM BONOUS: Transport Ships +5 carry capacity; +10 anti-ship armor
• Unique Unit: Serjeant (Heavy infantry that can build Donjons)
• Unique Building: Donjon (Powerful, expensive Tower replacement that can fire multiple arrows)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: First Crusade (Each TC (max. 5) instantly spawn 7 Serjeants; units more resistant to conversion)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Scutage (Each team member receives 15g per military unit they own)

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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!

• Alrighty, so this match up... is not one I think many people have played lol. For 1v1 Arabia, Japanese are very much a decent, if not quite exceptional, civ. Their early game can be deadly, and they have a solid tech tree, but the critically lack a lategame power unit or a midgame eco bonus. Sicilians, meanwhile, used to be a bit of a laughing stock, but did receive some fairly sizable buffs recently. Their Serjeants are now quite strong, their Donjons are more affordable, and their reduced bonus damage is always quite strong. Who do you favor on open maps here?
• For closed maps, it's a bit of a similar story. Japanese have a broad tech tree, notably having Yasama towers to help out on the more closed-off maps, but still lack a long-term eco bonus or a super pop-efficient army. Sicilians now critically have access to Siege Onager, and their own midgame economy is not half bad with their super farms and quickly-built TCs. But how does this compare to the versatility of Japanese?
• On full water maps, Japanese are always considered quite good, but not nearly as popular as Italians, Vikings, or Portuguese. They have a great fishing eco and early wood savings, but do miss a naval-specific military bonus. Sicilians, meanwhile, have very tanky transport ships to ensure landings (where Donjons can potentially be strong as well), but themselves lack a more direct navy bonus. However, it must be said that they insanely long-lasting farms can be quite good in stalemates... But which do you favor on Islands/Archipelago/Migration/etc.?

Thanks as always for participating! Next week we will continue our discussions with the Lithuanians vs Portuguese. Hope to see you there! :)

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3