Is Japanese good against Rus?

Japanese wins 52.7% of 7,153 ranked games against Rus (Japanese is favored).

How do I beat Rus as Japanese?

Scout the Landmark at 2:20 to 2:45: Kremlin on deer means a second TC or FC Contest deer early and kill villagers at the Cabin Spearmen and Archers against Early Knights, Crossbows and Spearmen in Castle

When does Rus attack?

5:00 — Early Knights raid after the Kremlin · 9:00 — Castle and relics with Monks (9:00 to 11:00) · 15:50 — Levy Militia attack from the Kremlin

Japanese vs Rus: how to win the matchup

Playing Japanese against Rus, you win 52.7% of ranked 1v1 games (7,153 games). Here is how to beat Rus, what they do and when.

Japanese is favoredJapanese guide Rus guide Rus vs Japanese

Win rate by rank

bronze
55.5%
544
silver
54.8%
955
gold
53.8%
2,976
platinum
47.6%
1,489
diamond
53.1%
618
conqueror
51.8%
439

How to beat Rus

Scout the Landmark at 2:20 to 2:45: Kremlin on deer means a second TC or FC
Contest deer early and kill villagers at the Cabin
Spearmen and Archers against Early Knights, Crossbows and Spearmen in Castle
Hit the second TC (5:40 to 6:25) before the Palisade
Contest relics and kill the Monks

Units that work against Rus: Spearmen · Archers · Crossbowmen · Fast cavalry

When Rus hits

5:00Early Knights raid after the Kremlin
9:00Castle and relics with Monks (9:00 to 11:00)
15:50Levy Militia attack from the Kremlin

Japanese strengths to lean on

Safe, strong economy: Kura makes free farms and the Daimyo boosts farms
Mounted Samurai are very strong in Castle
Yumi Ashigaru are cheap and fast, and Bannermen give a damage aura
The Shinobi scouts, sabotages and assassinates
Best win rate in this group

Japanese weaknesses Rus can punish

Fast Castle leaves him with few units between 5:40 and 8:00
Deflective Armor got nerfed (15-second cooldown)
Weak against Macedonian Dynasty, Ayyubids and Golden Horde

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Japanese: Veteran Samurai + Veteran Spearman (0.8)
Rus: Militia (0.21)

FAQ

Is Japanese good against Rus?: Japanese wins 52.7% of 7,153 ranked games against Rus (Japanese is favored).
How do I beat Rus as Japanese?: Scout the Landmark at 2:20 to 2:45: Kremlin on deer means a second TC or FC Contest deer early and kill villagers at the Cabin Spearmen and Archers against Early Knights, Crossbows and Spearmen in Castle
When does Rus attack?: 5:00 — Early Knights raid after the Kremlin · 9:00 — Castle and relics with Monks (9:00 to 11:00) · 15:50 — Levy Militia attack from the Kremlin

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.