Japanese Mercenary Force
Japanese Mercenary Force is a Fortress Age company at the Chinese Consulate in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties and Definitive Edition. It delivers two Ronin and two Ninjas together, combining a durable close-combat mercenary with a stealth-capable unit in one package.
Recorded values
- Available
- Fortress Age · Chinese Consulate · Japanese Mercenaries · campaign only
- Training
- 40 sec · 10 population · 80 XP per train
Role, availability & values
The company takes 40 seconds, occupies 10 population and grants 80 Experience. Its fixed roster is two Ronin plus two Ninjas, selected from the Consulate when the Japanese company is available. The two unit types have different roles and abilities; company-level access does not make them interchangeable or grant other Japanese production.
Training & availability
Campaign-only Chinese Consulate Banner Army in Act II: China; Fortress Age; select Japanese Mercenaries; 760 Export with the Japanese Mercenaries cost bonus; 40 seconds; 10 population; 2 Ronin and 2 Ninjas.
Matchup & timing
Choose the package when the mixed force suits the opponent and the army has room for ten population. The longer Fortress Age arrival favors planning ahead; protect the group while it reaches the front. Keep Ronin positioned to support the smaller Ninja contingent, and use the Ninja’s stealth according to its own rules rather than exposing the entire group unnecessarily.
A mixed package needs a shared plan
The company bundles two distinct units, so decide how their roles will work together before ordering it. The Ronin can form the visible close-combat presence while the Ninjas provide their specialized option, but the full group still benefits from other army support. Its 10-population cost is the total commitment; compare that with other Fortress Age choices and keep enough space for follow-up reinforcements.
Campaign restriction and cost
Japanese Mercenary Force is available only to the Chinese in Act II: China. Choose Japanese Mercenaries at the Consulate and reach the Fortress Age; the four-unit group costs 760 Export with the alliance cost bonus, takes 40 seconds and uses ten population. It should not be presented as a standard skirmish Consulate option.
Ronin and Ninja roles
The company combines two Ronin with two Ninjas. The Ronin form the heavier close-combat part of the group, while the Ninjas add a different specialist role. Keep them together during the mission and check the objective before spending Export on a four-unit reinforcement. Allow the full 40 seconds for training and reserve all ten population.