Japan (Rise of the Moderns)/Strategic Overview

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===Strengths===
*Highly balanced faction with a variety of good military and cultural bonuses.
*Strong navy.
===Weakness===
*Limited late-game selection, although it must be said that Japan gets some of the best late game armies and fleets.
*Highly defensive army,
*"Jack of all Trades, Master of None".
The story of Japan in Rise of the Moderns is in essence the story of the post-samurai era - and this is reflected greatly in Japan's selection of units, which reflect the post-Sengoku Jidai period of sakoku and the Meiji restoration so a Japanese player, however, must first reckon with the fact that the samurai spirit that animated Japan so long ago is nearly non-existent.
The most notable thing about Japan, to note, however, is that it gets the Ashigaru - a gun unit that is inferior to most "mainstream" Arquebusiers and Musketeers, but enjoys better hitpoints and also does not have an attack penalty versus cavalry or buildings. As a result, the Japanese often have access to a unit that not only can be used aggressively in raiding settlements early on, but can also be upgraded later - from the Imperial Era onwward - into Fusiliers - Japan gets both Fusiliers and Rifle Infantry, in contrast to Korea which can only get the Arquebusier early on, and other Asian factions which simply can't get better line units in the late game. However, this does not necessarily mean that Japan is any better - while Japan has Samurai cavalry, and the Kachi, a superior early game melee unit, its armies are still woefully underpowered, and often tend to remain so until the Industrial Era, when it receives all Industrial Age cavalry and artillery.
On the sea, however, it is another issue. Japan like China is restricted in that it cannot recruit good medium or light ships, but it is capable of building the entire heavy ship line, from the Galleon all the way to its secret weapon, the Mikasa. Lower costs for Japan help with this regard, thus making Japan a very powerful faction if used for fighting sea battles, so while most Western factions can only build a few heavy ships and some frigates, Japan in effect can raise many heavy warships as well as many War Junks in order to defend its coasts against the enemy. Alternatively Japan can use its Heavy Ship line to suppress enemy troops and distract enemy fortifications in order to support amphibious engagements. Use your naval superiority to dampen your enemy's ability to attack you, then distract him long enough to send an invasion force to back up the navy using your artillery.  |}
Category:Spoiler
Category:Rise of the Moderns factions