Is Malians good against Japanese?

Malians wins 46% of 5,550 ranked games against Japanese (Japanese is favored).

How do I beat Japanese as Malians?

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

Malians vs Japanese: how to win the matchup

Playing Malians against Japanese, you win 46% of ranked 1v1 games (5,550 games). Here is how to beat Japanese, what they do and when.

Japanese is favoredMalians guide Japanese guide Japanese vs Malians

Win rate by rank

bronze
35.2%
284
silver
44%
686
gold
46.7%
2,208
platinum
45.2%
1,252
diamond
49.8%
627
conqueror
46.7%
386

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

Malians strengths to lean on

Very strong gold from the Pit Mine and Mansa Quarry
TC costs gold instead of stone, so expanding is easy
Safe food from cattle and Ranches
Strong Feudal units: Sofa, Donso, Javelin Throwers and Musofadi
Veteran upgrades at half cost and time

Malians weaknesses Japanese can punish

No boar, and houses give half population
Unique units have low HP and need micro
Weak against Abbasid Dynasty (Camels and Ghulams) and strong tempo
The Pit Mine and houses are outside TC protection

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Malians: Veteran Mansa Musofadi Warrior (0.53)
Japanese: Veteran Samurai + Veteran Spearman (0.8)

FAQ

Is Malians good against Japanese?: Malians wins 46% of 5,550 ranked games against Japanese (Japanese is favored).
How do I beat Japanese as Malians?: 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.