How good are Samurai? (AoE2)

[@theOGSG]

SotL giving himself his Xmas present with a Japanese video.

[@Abstrack88]

I've waited for this!😊🎉

[@Michael_Brock]

SOTL long term favourite civilization.

[@bradleywong8808]

I’m reminded of the Obama awarding Obama meme

[@oyuyuy]

AoE2 in a nutshell: -Here's this cool unique unit. -It only loses to every viable strategy.

[@ShirosTamagotchi]

and we give the civilisation a generic unit that is exactly like the unique unit but better so you should never build samurai.

[@danieltoth9742]

Infantry design can be a bit whacky in this game. They seem to have all the drawbacks of real infantry (slow, low stats, weak at range), but none of the strengths (quick and easy to field, dirt cheap, minimal requirements).

[@Battledongus]

@@danieltoth9742 Can hold ground, form a defensive line, is a nightmare for tanks to ferret out

[@daarom3472]

honestly I think Gambesons should apply to unique infantry units as well.

[@micahbush5397]

​@@daarom3472 Considering that Unique Units are generally supposed to be specialists or nobility, they should generally be more expensive long-term. I see technologies like Gambesons as the AOE equivalent of investing in armories for city militias and professional armies.

[@osiris3676]

no elephant trivia at 5:39 unsuscribed

[@ArtemisBlade.]

skill issue

[@Marcara081]

Maximum testis weight in the African elephant approximates 4 kg. Comparative testis to body-weight ratios for a variety of mammals indicate that elephant testes are small in relative terms.

[@KaneCold]

Random elephant fact: Elephants are heavy, don't let them step on you.

[@magivkmeister6166]

Kenyan proverb : 'When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers'

[@ArtemisBlade.]

@magivkmeister6166 🤣

[@RazorWinter]

Pikemen: Does bonus damage Cataphract: Ignores the bonus damage Samurai: Ignores the ignoring of bonus damage

[@LeicaFleury]

Like trixie from fairly oddparents "STOP IGNORING ME IM IGNORING YOUUU"

[@koutetsusama2498]

Some great games on Age of Conquerors, with this matchup growing up. Probably the single best melee counter in those days, plus Byz get paladins too. Then Jap halbs fastest att spd :)

[@jasv49]

Legionary: Ignores the ignoring of ignoring of bonus damage (by being an upgrade from a regular unit)

[@EvilDoresh]

@@jasv49 This is some shounen anime nonsense right there

[@georgeprchal3924]

Actually samurai get stomped by catraphracts.

[@WWFanatic0]

Can we get a compilation of all of SotL's side hustles? We need to see what the SotL conglomerate is like.

[@konradpyszniak976]

Next top10 video incoming

[@bristleback3614]

Samurai is so cautious to the point that they're not even trust their sword and keep checking it

[@Soinetwa]

i never looked at it.. sooo weird now and i cant unsee it

[@Uliman97]

You know how fragile Katanas are as weapons? I think anyone with even a hint of anxiety would be checking it constantly too. 😂

[@bristleback3614]

@@Soinetwa interestingly the samurai from vanilla aoe2 has proper animation and unique death animation (performing seppuku), i wonder why this kind of animation didn't carried over to the remake

[@randomvideos786]

​@@Uliman97Funny how they slam their swords into stone buildings 😂

[@Kristjan0209]

​@@Soinetwayeah it looks so strange and makes no sense

[@4everdex]

Samurai will always have a special place in my (AoE2-)heart. Back in the days i have played with two friends and tried some custom AIs, we modded into the game. There was one epic game against some of the strongest AIs we ever played. It had a very unique playstyle with a lot of towers and stuff. My two friends were already dead but then I made the switch to samurai and the japanese trebs and won the game solo. I will tell my grand kids about this one day.

[@BlueShellshock]

Kataparuto unironically makes the term "treb micro" into more than just a joke.

[@Athomanji]

"They sought out high-ranking enemies on the battlefield for personal duels and were trained to seek death in battle to increase their aggression and avoid hesitancy" Flaming Camel: 👁 👄 👁

[@GBlockbreaker]

"finally, a worthy opponent. our battle will be legendary." -Minamoto no Tametomo ca 1170 upon seeing a camel on fire

[@giuseppe9653]

​@@GBlockbreakeri mean, that sounds straight out of a legend, the man who fought a flaming beast one on one

[@GoodOleDFT]

​@@giuseppe9653 Not to be confused with the legendary Minamoto general who used flaming cattle to cause havoc on his enemy's encampment on a mountain pass. Yes this actually happened.

[@astrid2432]

@@GoodOleDFT stronghold warlords: ah yes, but what about flaming cattle that explodes

[@josephdedrick9337]

​@@GoodOleDFThappened more then a few times in world history as well.

[@HazmanFTW]

1:22 the samurai is actually so fast, he does an attack in that time and all you see is the slight unsheath and sheath

[@Z3ZP]

When you’ve watched too much anime.

[@BeThecuti]

Good point

[@daarom3472]

​@@Z3ZPomae wa mo ...

[@learner8509]

😂

[@samarthnagar3856]

Even though I hadn't played this game in over 10 years I always see your videos on the day it comes out

[@gebhard128]

The best use for samurai is in a post imp situation. When u played with ranged units and the opponent is on skirms they can be the finishing blow without having to do the champion techs and give away the tech switch by building barracks

[@HiyokoSupiritto]

After playing and noticing how the Immortal works from Battle for Greece, I still want Samurai to work as a melee/ranged unique unit like before, BUT I still want both units have different armor to prevent them of being completely weak against Elite Skirmishers

[@FerdinandAugustinus-j6t]

l'm surprised this kind of video about samurai didn't came earlier.

[@advaithelekar584]

Without opening the video I'm sure what it's going to say, "it depends."

[@berndberndsen5680]

That's T90's catchphrase, not SotL's

[@lightyagami6251]

Finally after 9 fkkin yrs , the japanese civ review will be coming !!!!

[@sgtpepper8581]

Probably the third remake

[@kingdomfisher]

I made a “historical realism mod” which incorporates a change to the Samurai where half of their bonus vs. unique units is moved to their main attack. This makes them more viable against other units, and preferred over Swordsman/Champions.

[@Lancasterlaw1175]

Nah, give 'em a bow ranged attack instead.

[@ZeroNumerous]

@@Lancasterlaw1175 Yeah, if you wanted a "historical realism" mod then samurai should be primarily a ranged unit with a melee off-hand attack.

[@jacobwood3326]

The funny thing is in CBA samurai are low key a hard counter vs War Elephants. But at that point it’s mainly a numbers game. Still they do way better than a lot of other options. Great video as always!

[@romulus9658]

I feel like an interesting way to buff the samurai with a range mode is to give it as a charge attack, it would be a volley that act as a first hit and wouldn't be too significant of a buff

[@chocowmallows]

I think we should consider putting them on a horse to double down on that speed. Would give them a clear edge compared to the militia-line since you have more agency over picking your battles. Also checks out from a historical perspective: they were mounted warriors!

[@hanzzel6086]

They where mounted *archer* units, who could also be (in roughly this order of preference): mounted Spear warriors, mounted swordsmen, dismounted archers, spearmen, and swordsmen (occasionally also deploying special polearms and two-handed swords). Until they get gunpowder, in which case it takes over the #1 spot in all categories (eventually).

[@voodoodummie]

A weird buff they could receive in my opinion, other than the ones proposed, is a health-on-kill mechanic. It could fit with the theme of honourable warriors that give it all, but would also help turn a lot of matchups as a true trash killer AND complimenting their unique bonus damage. I don't think it should be much, maybe like 5 per kill, but it would be enough to turn a bunch of interactions around versus the champion

[@darkdill]

The problem with that is no one really wants to take the time to heal their infantry when that means giving up map control. Waiting for your Monks to finish takes time, time you don't have to waste in a pro match.

[@voodoodummie]

@@darkdill I'm not following you, as what I proposed was a health on kill, which requires the unit to kill, aka, being in fights.

[@achaean4780]

Ohhh I'd like to see that, good idea!

[@Dpmt]

I still want them to turn the Samurai into a Konnic like unit that starts as a Cavalry Archer and then becomes the classic Samurai when it dies. Then add a classic Samurai unit called the Ronin to the Barracks for when you just need anti-UU infantry.

[@gwanael34]

I mean it's probably possible to mod it into the game

[@teamlulquit]

Or we can make it even more special, giving them Samurai in the Castle Age but then instead of Elite Samurai make it become Mounted Samurai. It'd be the first time the type of a unit changes after Elite upgrade.

[@koutetsusama2498]

@@teamlulquit Or have both and offer different cost. Also, they need a bowman unit. 🏹

[@nicolaaffatati5355]

An idea for samurai improvement just give them the bonus like condottiero, so +10 resistance against anti-infantry attacks, this will make them tankier on the field!

[@smallymcsmall7065]

Samurai not being as good against trash units really fits the theme of them "seeking out high-ranking opponents." I can just imagine them rolling their eyes and putting in a half-assed effort against the lowly spearman, still getting the job done, but there's no glory in cutting down these peasants!

[@darkdill]

Makes sense when you put it that way.

[@SuhasKashyap07]

Lmao makes sense

[@XaviusNight]

Possible buff idea for the Samurai - they're meant to be hunting elite foes, so make them take less damage from regular enemy units as part of their Elite upgrade - making them more likely to survive trash fights without making them better against them except as a holding action.

[@teamspirit8727]

I think Samurai should lean more into their high attack speed - there are plenty of new bonuses and techs that give +25-33% attack speed that make Samurai less unique. Something like a doubled attack speed with a damage nerf would fit them - they would benefit from attack upgrades a lot, for one.

[@The-jy3yq]

That would just make them slower Carambits with a huge bonus against UUs (oh and they'd build 50% faster)

[@Ghost-qr6yh]

I bet bro made the video with a big smile on his face.

[@LeicaFleury]

More like a sad face, that Elite Samurai section was kinda rough

[@Jordanmillerceo]

😊

[@comack669]

The prodigal son returns! Japanese and SotL, reunited.

[@WhateverNameIsStillAvailable]

I'm glad you mentioned CBA in this video. 😊 This is our expertise.

[@johnwuh6818]

The song in your videos is so iconic that when I was watching some science video and the same song played I immediately was like “I’d rather just go watch spirit of the law instead” and now here I am

[@yohanbeck8172]

"For Samurai Purposes" 4:14 lol

[@TheCoincidence]

Interestingly, the regional units in Chronicles for some reason are also tagged with unique unit armor, so if you play a mixed game then Samurai end up more or less hard countering Spartans in the lategame wholesale.

[@OwenLeBlanc-l7h]

The longsword may take more arrows to kill, but you're only killing an arrow unit when it's owner is elsewhere with attention.

[@leonardo_pandaboff]

There is an extra feature that you didn't point out. Samurai is faster than archers line units, while the militia line isn't

[@puporongod]

he did mention it on the speed comparison at 2:00

[@IceSpoon]

@@puporongod That's the joke

[@aa01blue38]

@@IceSpoonbruh what joke the OP literally just missed it

[@IceSpoon]

@@aa01blue38 he was obviously being sarcastic

[@informitas0117]

​@@IceSpoon How is that obvious?

[@alexanderchristiansen1664]

I think the issue with Samurai rarely being used is part of the general problem with infantry. If you're fighting cavalry archers, archers or unique archers, you're not picking infantry unless you have champskarls or some unique anti archer infantry, if you're fighting cavalry you're using halbs or archers of some form, maybe both, if you're fighting infantry you're using archers of some sort, only if that infantry is anti archer will you really have a reason to use champs or samurai, depending or whether you're dealing with champskarls or unique anti archer infantry. It's the same problem with every other infantry unit that doesn't counter archers or cavalry(at a cost efficiency comparable to spearline).

[@LeicaFleury]

Also sometimes if you're fighting infantry you're also responding with your own champions, JP or not. Goth champs carry hard in melee fights, for example... just to strengthen your argument even further.

[@gr33nmachine3000]

In Imperial Age, I do think there are a few silver linings to the Elite Samurai over the Champion. The Elite Samurai has a cheaper upgrade cost than the champion as well as a significantly faster upgrade cost. Assuming you do close the distance with the ranged unique units like if they are backed into a corner or the opponent gets sloppy with micro, samurai at least slaps as hard as a huskarl on them. If samurai are in the field in significant numbers, one has to be extra careful with their unique ranged and unique melee units are effectively a questionable call at best. As far as unit cost is concerned, still a better value than condottiero.

[@markmalkowski3695]

We appreciate the almost sisyphean effort you take in telling us how effective units are after every large patch in a game from 1999.

[@Lawlz4Dayzz]

Thx I am new to Age 2 so this helps alot

[@idkputsomerandomname9657]

13:06 Missed an opportunity to include a cat

[@kodacv1612]

love the meme at the end 12:51

[@nathanielstanford3115]

It seems appropriate to me that the march of technology into the imperial age leaves the samurai tragically outdated

[@goodmusic4673]

But not the guy with the 2 handed sword ?

[@Nameles84]

Just a cent view: The dev might just replace the Barrack Champion with Samurais and remove the 2-Handed-Swordsmen - Like the Romans have in their barracks. To make it more interesting, they could tweet some of the perks together for the Barrack version of Samurai. The only issue would be what new Unique Unit can be created historically as castle unique - Maybe a bow or a calvary unit (E.g. the Takeda Calvaries that could switch between Melee and Bow) from it's warring period. There is not much differentiation between both units unless they tweet the Samurai to able to switch to Range mode like the Immortals - Which historically, Samurais value Bow skills over Spear, then Spear over Swords. - Till the age of Gunpowder, which the Samurais also adapted using gunpowder weapons.

[@LeicaFleury]

The alternate unique unit you proposed already exists and it's called Ratha, unfortunately. Edit: maybe add the shinobi? I see nobody talks about ninjas when it comes to AoE II JP.

[@Nameles84]

@@LeicaFleury yes, the Ratha is current only existing gimmick for a calvary range/melee, but it's actual animation is a chariot, whom the Japanese does not have historically. It might even cause unease if the Japanese have a cavalry unit that can switch between range and melee, but not the Mongol Megudhai

[@wiseSYW]

instead of buffing, make it so each samurai can have a specialization upgrade, either becoming cavalry or archer/musketeer for extra resources

[@voicification]

Did AoE get a massive facelift? The level of detail from 5 years ago is insane!

[@EvilDoresh]

Animation's a lot smoother than in earlier version, and there's also the 4k resolution FreeLC if you wanna get extra fancy.

[@holyhandgrenadeofantioch2234]

One of the units that was hit the hardest by the DE decision to drop the unique animations per orientation direction. (Including the iconic seppuku for the south-east death anim)

[@TheSeventhChild]

1:18 I got up to get a snack after this and every piece of fruit in my kitchen had been diced. Suspicious.

[@iceee420]

Finally a topic SOTL is passionate about.

[@Micaiah-q8k]

More history videos!

[@JohndrewtheSylveonking]

The Japanese imperial age could be a slight reference to how samurai were slowly phasing out in favor of Ashigaru (peasant soldiers) acting as the main military force for some clans like Oda Clan lead by Nobunaga. Thus Champions having a bit more attack than Samurai. But Samurai are still able to hold out well in most fights like against unique units.

[@goodmusic4673]

That is not really trur ashigaru where allways the core of an Japanese army nonbunaga just used them extremly effective

[@spinosaurusiii7027]

Finally, a real SotL classic

[@mrmet5]

Well Samurais look much more menacing than champions (which didn't exist) so I'll always go with them Samurais!

[@jotfohm4644]

Hey Spirit, Guys of the Law here!! 🗾 🎌

[@jotfohm4644]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Juan_Laurino]

The ad was pretty smooth xD

[@Rotul90]

Fun fact. Samurais were good archers with tactics similar to mongols. Hollywood make them knights with katanas

[@EvilDoresh]

In the early days. As time went on they got their hands at pretty much every weapon staple of Japan, including guns

[@sneakybeak4032]

FINALLY. Send forth the updated Japanese civ review!

[@sjmurphysj39]

Everyone ignoring the edging joke at 1:18 gotta have Spirit disappointed. This is for you Spirit

[@Ipavaiva]

I wonder if giving Samurai a (weaker?) version of Shrivamsa rider arrow dodge ability. Not enough to allow them to shrug off castle fire, but enough so they can engage with ranger units better. Altho, I feel this would be more fitting to give to Jaguars instead, so there is that

[@hanzzel6086]

Split them into 2-5 units/upgrade paths: Mounted (basically becoming a faster moving/attacking, but less well armoured, Paladin that is really good against UU), archer (similar to mounted, but instead of Paladins its arbalest), mounted archer (I'm sure you can figure what that means out), musketeer (more accurate, faster, and better armoured than a Hand Cannon, but lower attack), and the classic foot soldier (which would gain some hp, attack, and piercing armour).

[@nurrr897]

I look forward to Japanese getting an A average in the full civ overview :p

[@SuspishFish]

>Checks sword. "Okay, it's still there." "Wait…" >Checks sword.

[@michaelcross7665]

Interesting. What I'm getting from this is that all in castle age you should make samurai siege/skirm. But games that go imp where trade isn't going to happen you should tech switch to champion instead of elite samurai, unless the opponent is making a countered unit.

[@Progeusz-]

It's better to go knights or crossbows in castle age and switch to CA in imp.

[@DirkTheDaringDnD]

It’s finally time!!!! The Japanese Redux is coming!!!

[@_nishantk_]

SOTL and my favourite unit, Samurai, letss goooo!!!

[@xiaowei1]

A good samari buff would be to block incoming arrows with their sword a percentage of the time, increasing the percentage when they upgrade, eg. 30% up to 50% (effectively halving incoming arrow damage).

[@epicseadragon1692]

3rd iteration of Japanese overview incoming!!!

[@kOaMaster2]

So why not giving Gambesons to Infantery unique units?

[@DaddyMouse]

Not that AOE2 is historically accurate but giving gambesons to a unit known for having their distinct armor would be total heresy Or at least that's what I think the devs thought process is

[@AnkaraAnkaraMessiMessiMessi]

@@kOaMaster2 Honestly remove gambesons and give the +1 pierce to all the units that need it.

[@LeicaFleury]

@@AnkaraAnkaraMessiMessiMessi You don't wanna give +1 to militia line across the board because that would break some civs, having the tech allows for better balance.

[@AnkaraAnkaraMessiMessiMessi]

@@LeicaFleury In that case adjust the civs, and tbh militia line is giga weak EVEN for the civs with bonuses.

[@Caladbolgll]

I think there's an editing mistake for champion vs elite samurai against ranged units - the label for each units are still stuck at their castle age version

[@octo6670]

Would love to see something like -1 melee and range armor (without blacksmith upgrades) but gain a weaker dodge mechanic (in comparison to the Shrivamsha Rider). And the imperial upgrade gives them some stats and the ability to recharge a little bit the dodge each time they attack.

[@belisarian6429]

I think they should give Samurai anti-unique armor, so is unique unit is shooting him it will be closer to Huscarl taking shots, that way it will be counter to ranged UU also.

[@The-jy3yq]

This will make them absurd against War Wagons (historical inaccuracy) and Ballista Elephants (same)

[@CyberDrewan]

⁠@@The-jy3yq I say give them bonus damage against samurai. Ballista elephants are already slow and I don’t think anyone minds samurai and war wagons countering each other for historical rivalry.

[@Gashahn24]

This is probably the counter attack to Hera the heretic.

[@Lo-pingOrg]

SotL doing a lot of introspection for his favorite civ. Could this mean he might be switching soon enough? 👀

[@michaelstekelenburg3689]

With this unique attack bonus, to be fair in the game samuaris should’ve been more expensive.

[@henrycebula4767]

Listen boss, the unit looks cool. Do the stats really matter?

[@shadowpriest2574]

Yes they do.

[@EnesKaraboga]

Keep 'em coming brother!

[@quaintserpent]

[@TheOhioNews]

Spirit of the Loaf 😊

[@MrAlexFortis]

I think elite upgrade should give samurai range attack option, someting like crossbow attack with range option receive small bonus.

[@boarfaceswinejaw4516]

"sure, they absolutely demolish literally every other unique unit in the game, but what about giving them ranged as well?" "Oh yeah, sure, like the Rattan and Immortal. whats next? giving them a horse so they can fight like a Konnik" "Maaaaaaybe". Seriously though, if Samurai get ranged attack i think its only fair that Vikings can finally use their Longships as transport ships. Bonus points if they can move the ships across land. it would be historically accurate.

[@hanzzel6086]

I support those comment! Calvary archer Samurai, who turn into foot soldiers on death! And Justice for the Longship!

[@josephdedrick9337]

To be fair, there were a few famous accounts of portageing warships to attack ports around the defenses.

[@johannschild8499]

Japanese related question: are yasama towers better or Georgian swan towers? Can you make a tower comparison video for all civ bonuses?

[@Rika101OfficialYT]

Samurai video? Banzaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Soiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[@b.clarenc9517]

5:45 CBA trivia territory? What does that mean?

[@laurencerosenthalwinckler4439]

My suggestion would be castle age tec on castle "lightening reflex" and gives a 50% chance of samurai dodging arrows at 3 or more ranges away

[@sniperloic2904]

never been so early to a sotl video and ofc its japaneses again

[@quaintgentleman344]

Do you make 9-grain wheat bread? 13:00

[@scottdebrestian9875]

Yes, but 9 grains of wheat only makes a teeny-tiny loaf.

[@TheKobasen]

So next is finally japanese civ overviews

[@Boom12]

Will SoTL give Japanese a higher rank for Infantry than the last time he did an overview on them? You'll find out in a week or so!

[@elisharobertson5628]

I've been saying the Japanese need a Cavalry Archer upgrade of some sort to represent their fantastic real life Horse+archery method. It's so unique. I can't believe that it wasn't in the original game somehow! Have any of you watched Japanese Archery in KZbin??? Making samurai into Cavalry archers that dismount and fight on foot would be absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!

[@Mantisisland]

The devs really should address the constant sword checking animation... it's totally obnoxious. It'd be cool every minute or so, but not literally every two seconds.

[@alro4660]

such a nice soundtrack i hear it often in your videos how is it called?

[@veselinasenov5935]

Spirit of the Loaf sounds neat.

[@abhishekjain3148]

I think the devs can revisit the idea of duality of Samurai's attack, i.e. Archer and Infantry switch. They have done it with the Rath unit (Its just Rath, not Ratha) Not the best cav or cav archer, but fill both roles if needed. Samurai already has the similar archer armor stats, just need to add gold cost to match that of archers.

[@MrAnonymous00100]

That would be equal to Immortal in chronicle, except immortal couldn't FU.

[@leroyhuxleyrocks]

Everytime i see the samurai in aoe2 i think of Masamune Date because of the helmet

[@MammothSaltyGachaponOfficial]

Japanese Civ review next? 😮

[@LeicaFleury]

Indeed.

[@sirloinofbeef4331]

I've only been waiting for this video since DE launched lol

[@L1V1ticus]

Hey spirit guys of the law here!

[@zeroyuki92]

They can have the reduced attack against unique units while having their unique unit damage bonus reduced a little bit to compensate. Let's say -2/-3 damage against unique units while their bonus attack against unique units reduced to let's say +8/+10. That way they will be much better against ranged UU while not becoming too much of an omnigod against melee UU.

[@palanikumar7877]

@6:05 why is Urumi Swordsman put alone with "Ranged Unique Units"?

[@sartajali1665]

I love this game I have been playing this game since 2010 on my old 2008 model hp laptop But sadly I can't play definitive edition when it came out in 2019 because my latop was very old and i really wanted to play this game so my brother bought a new laptop and one day he said to me that i will surprise you but i didn't know what was his surprise After one month when he bought a new laptop he show me age of empires 2 definitive edition and I can't believe it that i am actually playing this game and i was so happy that foe so many days i thought that this is just a dream its not going to be true but it actually was real That day was my best day of my life In August 2024 i start playing this game and everyday i would play non stop about 10 hours This is my most favorite game of all time

[@nickwong1016]

10:55 does it make a difference if we factor in the "recoverable resources" (the HP that can be healed by monk)?

[@thagikaagrajith]

What about making the unit a mele ranged unit like axe man and others with Anti UU bonus

[@tomascostanzo3673]

I can only imagine the amount of comments SOTL has on his multiple web pages.

[@thundercat7809]

My suggestions to fix samurai is decrease their bonus against unique unit by -2 but increase atk rate +10% & moving speed to 1.25.