Thoughts on the new Japan Focus tree?

[King Of Heroes]

I've always mainly played Japan on SP so I'm not gonna pretend I'm fully aware of the implications of what I'm saying but...

Did Japan really did need to be nerfed with the Zaibatsu PP reduction + consumer goods demand and the Militarism permanent +5% research cost? for historical path anyway.

From what I gather that makes it the only nation that can't hit 0% Consumer goods demand

The loss of the +1PP focus also is causing some bother since I can barely optimize my designers with all the new uses for PP and the reduced gain in the first place.

There's is less of a resource shortage with the prospecting and infrastructure upgrades but I still feel much weaker than in the previous patches.

 

[Black_Shade]

Yeah Japan is even weaker than it was last patch, which is sad cause it was already pretty underpowered and had zero chance in the AI's hands. Pretty annoying that Paradox keeps making them weaker. This game will never see a proper Pacific theater because of a combination of an underpowered Japan and mediocre AI.... the AI does seem to be doing better than before though.

On the positive side, Nat. China is also much weaker, and you should have no problem beating them without building any mils. So just annex them ASAP and build up an industrial base until mid 1938ish and you'll still be able to kill everyone.

 

[seattle]

I had three runs in WtT:
1. Commie China: Japan beat Nat China before I could make a difference and game over by 1938.
2. Mandschuria: I figured, that beating China must be even easier with me fighting alongside Japan. Went to a stalemate and I quit in 1940.
3. Germany: Japan beat China by 1938/39.

Didn't seem like Japan had any problems dealing with China unless I fubar'ed it as their ally.

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Haven't played Japan yet though. I think they should become pretty powerful if you defeat China quickly. Then Japan itself doesn't even have to be super strong. With those conquests, your faction has huge potential.

 

[Traks]

Japan almost lost in my game as Germany. They do love to do small naval landings, and if China squishes them fast enough, Japan loses troops and sends next 3-5 divs to land. That leaves few troops to defend the actual front, so I had to do huge amount of 2-3 div encirclements to wittle down China troops.

So I think key to Japan victory is if it gets lucky with first or second naval landing.