Some questions about Chinese

[Marksman_Anders]

Hi all. I think Japanese is going to be OP after the patch, thus I won't be playing them that much. There's something about Chinese that appeals to me, but one thing bothers me and that is their weak units. I know they train fast, but even with the two cards that make banner armies train faster, they still don't train THAT fast (compared to Russians who can get instant training).

My opinions on the units:

Chukos: good skirmisher unit (is the 5 attack all 3 arrows or is the dmg done actually 15? anyone?)
Pikemen: only good vs cav. Aztec spearman is much better.
Changdao: lacks far behind dopps or sams.
Arquebusiers: there are better skirmishers in the game.
Keshik: useless.
Steppe rider: good in colonial perhaps. Later on, I just don't think it can keep up with cuirs or upgraded hussars for example.

I would like to hear your opinions on the Chinese.

[Tatltael]

chinas pikemen arent that bad, they make an effective meatshield with the chuk's behind them, against say LI.

[Marksman_Anders]

If anyone still wonders, Chukos do 5 dmg per arrow, so 15 base dmg all in all (in case you didnt already know).

[Navarone_Guy]

Their units may suck, but their very low cost more than makes up for it.

[I__CHAOS__I]

and late game, they have 220 pop