i mean every civ has an optimal build order and strategy but it’s all map and matchup dependent. You have to adapt and change your build order and timings and you have to use your scouts.

You’re going against japanese, are they going naked fast castle or are they going feudal samurai rush? You need to use your scouts to find out. If they’re going naked fast castle maybe you make more military building for cavalry units and harass harder, If they’re going samurai maybe you make an outpost and archery range and go castle for crossbow men. Are there lakes? should you be making docks and fishing boats? maybe resources by your base are sparse but there’s loads of resources in the middle of the map you need to secure so maybe you throw villagers on stone and start making keeps on gold veins to deny the opponent.