But Russia? There is no civ I have a harder time winning against. I actually rather go up against Spain then Russia.
Streelets is the only ranged unit that beat maces for cost. Coyotes beat Streelets but I never manage to get out enough coyotes to be able to fight the streelets.
I typically go up before the Russian player, ship 700 wood and build a barrack and some houses while producing coyotes and shipping/producing maces. He comes into my base with streelets which are soon followed by more streelets and lots of Cossacks. Most of the game he is my base so I have to garrison all the time.
I never manage to get enough military out to do better then momentarily push him out of my base. Eventually my base is simply overwhelmed and there is nothing I can do.
I am actually thinking about going FF against this, but what do Aztecs have in fortress that defeats an infinite horde of streelets? Europeans at least have falcs, but 5-10 eagles will not do much against 50+ streelets in your base.
I guess I could put up 4+ Warhuts. But since his streelets are so cheap it does not bother him if he loses them to my base defense as long as he prevents my eco from going somewhere.