Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Introduction
In Rise of Kingdoms, choosing the right civilization can greatly impact a player’s strategy, dictating their military strength, economic efficiency, and exploration capabilities. The Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization is a well-rounded choice that provides benefits to both combat performance and economic growth, making it ideal for players who seek flexibility in their approach.
Unlike civilizations that focus solely on one aspect, such as research speed (Korea) or cavalry power (Arabia), Japan offers a balanced mix of advantages that benefit both military and resource management. The civilization’s unique perks provide an edge in battle, faster resource collection, and increased scouting efficiency, ensuring that players can maintain a steady progression in all aspects of the game.
With a universal troop attack boost, a resource gathering speed bonus, and enhanced scout movement, Japan enables players to expand rapidly, sustain a strong military, and maintain economic stability—a combination that appeals to both beginners and experienced players alike.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Starting Commander: Kusunoki Masashige
Upon selecting Japan, players start with Kusunoki Masashige, a legendary historical figure known for his tactical brilliance in garrison defense and ranged combat. His abilities make him particularly valuable in both city defense and archer-led army formations, setting a solid foundation for early and mid-game engagements.
Key Benefits of Kusunoki Masashige: Strong Garrison Defense – Kusunoki excels at defending cities from enemy attacks, thanks to his abilities that reduce incoming damage and boost defensive firepower. This makes him an ideal choice for players who want to secure their base while developing their civilization.
Archer Specialization – His skills significantly enhance the performance of archers, making them more effective in both PvP (player versus player) battles and PvE (player versus environment) encounters.
Versatile Combat Role – While primarily a defensive commander, Kusunoki can also be used for open-field battles, leading a powerful archer army capable of inflicting high damage from a distance.
Best Pairings for Kusunoki Masashige: Yi Seong-Gye – Enhances archer power with devastating AoE (area-of-effect) damage. Hermann – Boosts rage regeneration and provides crowd control with a silence debuff, preventing enemies from using their active skills.
Tomoe Gozen – A solid early-game pairing that improves archer stats and allows smoother PvE grinding.
By using Kusunoki strategically, Japan players can establish a strong defensive foothold and leverage archer-based combat tactics throughout their journey in Rise of Kingdoms.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Special Unit: Samurai Infantry
Japan’s unique unit, the Samurai, replaces the standard infantry unit at Tier 4. This elite warrior embodies the balanced nature of the civilization, providing both offensive strength and defensive durability. Characteristics of the Samurai: Balanced Stats: Unlike other civilizations’ unique units, which may specialize in attack or defense, the Samurai maintain a strong equilibrium between the two.
Versatile Role: Samurai perform well in both offense and defense, making them useful in various combat scenarios, including field battles, garrison defense, and rally attacks.
Reliability in Battle: While some civilizations may rely on fragile high-damage units or tanky but slow troops, the Samurai offer a stable, well-rounded alternative that adapts to multiple strategies.
When to Use Samurai: Defensive Formations: If a player prefers to fortify their city or defend resource nodes, Samurai can absorb damage effectively while countering enemy assaults.
Offensive Attacks: The unit’s balanced nature makes it a good choice for aggressive marches, especially when supported by archers or cavalry.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Civilization Bonuses
The Rise of Kingdoms Japan civilization boasts three powerful bonuses that improve resource efficiency, military performance, and exploration capabilities. +3% Resource Gathering Speed. Faster gathering ensures that players can accumulate resources quickly, allowing for faster city development, troop training, and research progression.
This is particularly useful in early-game expansion, where having a steady flow of materials is crucial for rapid growth.
The bonus applies to all resources, including food, wood, stone, and gold, ensuring a well-rounded economic advantage.
+5% Troop Attack Bonus. This universal boost applies to all troop types (infantry, archers, and cavalry), making Japan a flexible civilization for different combat strategies.
Unlike civilizations that specialize in only one unit type (e.g., Britain for archers or Arabia for cavalry), Japan provides a consistent advantage across the board.
This makes Japan an excellent choice for players who prefer mixed-army compositions or frequently switch between troop types.
+30% Scout March Speed. One of Japan’s most underrated advantages is its significantly increased scout speed, allowing for rapid map exploration.
Faster scouting helps players locate villages, barbarian camps, and resource nodes early, leading to quicker strategic planning and territorial expansion.
It also allows players to spot potential threats faster, making it easier to defend against enemy invasions.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Strategic Advantages of Japan
Balanced Military Enhancement. Japan’s +5% attack boost ensures that all troops can perform better in both PvE and PvP battles. Players can create versatile armies that adapt to different combat scenarios without being locked into a single playstyle. Efficient Exploration.
The 30% increase in scout march speed accelerates early-game progress by helping players uncover hidden opportunities and potential threats faster than rival civilizations. Accelerated Development. Faster resource gathering provides a steady supply of materials, allowing players to develop their cities faster than opponents who lack economic bonuses.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Commander Synergies for Japan
Best Commanders to Pair with Kusunoki Masashige:
Yi Seong-Gye – High archer damage and AoE capabilities.
Hermann – Great for archer buffs and skill control.
Richard I – Defensive synergy for those prioritizing city defense.
Genghis Khan – A strong alternative if using mixed-army formations.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Tips and Tricks for Playing as Japan
Diversify Troops for Maximum Effectiveness
Since Japan’s troop attack bonus applies to all units, players should experiment with different army compositions instead of focusing on just one type.
Prioritize Exploration Early. Utilize the 30% scout speed bonus to discover villages, barbarian forts, and hidden resource locations as early as possible. Capitalize on Fast Resource Gathering
Ensure that gathering queues are always full to exploit Japan’s +3% speed bonus for economic stability and continuous city upgrades.
Rise of Kingdoms Japan Civilization: Conclusion
The Rise of Kingdoms Japan civilization in Rise of Kingdoms provides a balanced and strategic approach to both military and economic development. With a universal attack bonus, faster resource gathering, and unmatched scouting speed, Japan is ideal for players who want versatility and adaptability in their gameplay.
Whether focusing on rapid city expansion, defensive garrison strategies, or aggressive battlefield dominance, Rise of Kingdoms Japan civilization bonuses ensure a well-rounded and rewarding gaming experience. The combination of enhanced resource efficiency, universal troop attack boosts, and unmatched scouting speed makes Japan an adaptable choice for both new and experienced players. By leveraging these advantages effectively, governors can build a thriving empire, launch powerful military campaigns, and maintain a strategic edge over their rivals in Rise of Kingdoms.
