Is French good against Japanese?

French wins 50.3% of 22,724 ranked games against Japanese (Even matchup).

How do I beat Japanese as French?

Pressure in the Fast Castle window from 5:40 to 8:00 with Men-at-Arms, Archers or Horsemen Build a tower on his gold to delay the Mounted Samurai Against Mounted Samurai: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels, and kill the Uma Bannerman

When does Japanese attack?

5:41 — Feudal with few units, the best time to pressure · 7:40 — Castle: Stable and non-stop Mounted Samurai

French vs Japanese: how to win the matchup

Playing French against Japanese, you win 50.3% of ranked 1v1 games (22,724 games). Here is how to beat Japanese, what they do and when.

Even matchupFrench guide Japanese guide Japanese vs French

Win rate by rank

bronze
48.7%
1,921
silver
50.3%
3,721
gold
50.6%
10,285
platinum
52.3%
4,165
diamond
48.9%
1,370
conqueror
48%
766

How to beat Japanese

Pressure in the Fast Castle window from 5:40 to 8:00 with Men-at-Arms, Archers or Horsemen
Build a tower on his gold to delay the Mounted Samurai
Against Mounted Samurai: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels, and kill the Uma Bannerman
Keep fights long so Deflective Armor runs out
Scout: Barracks at 0:00, Kura or Koka, Stable at 8:00

Units that work against Japanese: Spearmen · Crossbowmen · Men-at-Arms · Camels

When Japanese hits

5:41Feudal with few units, the best time to pressure
7:40Castle: Stable and non-stop Mounted Samurai

French strengths to lean on

Royal Knights from Feudal slaughter villagers and Archers
TC works faster each Age, and economic techs are 35% cheaper
Keeps are cheaper and make nearby Stable and Range units 20% cheaper
Arbalétriers in Castle have strong armor against ranged
Strongest civ in team games right now

French weaknesses Japanese can punish

Knights fall to mass Spearmen and Camels
Knights alone get stuck against walls and towers
The rush costs a lot of gold; if it fails he falls behind in the boom
Average infantry and middling late game

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

French: Man-at-Arms + Arbalétrier (0.8)
Japanese: Veteran Samurai + Veteran Spearman (0.8)

FAQ

Is French good against Japanese?: French wins 50.3% of 22,724 ranked games against Japanese (Even matchup).
How do I beat Japanese as French?: Pressure in the Fast Castle window from 5:40 to 8:00 with Men-at-Arms, Archers or Horsemen Build a tower on his gold to delay the Mounted Samurai Against Mounted Samurai: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels, and kill the Uma Bannerman
When does Japanese attack?: 5:41 — Feudal with few units, the best time to pressure · 7:40 — Castle: Stable and non-stop Mounted Samurai

Data from the open game data (aoe4world/data), patch 16.2.10884, public ranked statistics, and Layla Coach's battle simulator. Layla Coach is an independent tool, not affiliated with Microsoft, Relic Entertainment or World's Edge.