Is Byzantines good against French?

Byzantines wins 45% of 12,960 ranked games against French (French is favored).

How do I beat French as Byzantines?

Scout the School of Cavalry at 2:30 to 3:00 Get Spearmen before 3:40, and keep sheep and gold under the TC Outpost with Arrowslits or Palisade on exposed resources

When does French attack?

3:40 — First Royal Knights raid (3:40 to 4:30) · 6:00 — 3-5 Knights with Archers (6:00 to 8:00) · 13:20 — Castle Keep push with Knights and Arbalétriers

Byzantines vs French: how to win the matchup

Playing Byzantines against French, you win 45% of ranked 1v1 games (12,960 games). Here is how to beat French, what they do and when.

French is favoredByzantines guide French guide French vs Byzantines

Win rate by rank

bronze
48.8%
883
silver
47.4%
1,552
gold
46.9%
5,045
platinum
42%
3,074
diamond
43.1%
1,376
conqueror
37.2%
808

How to beat French

Scout the School of Cavalry at 2:30 to 3:00
Get Spearmen before 3:40, and keep sheep and gold under the TC
Outpost with Arrowslits or Palisade on exposed resources
Spearmen and Archers together, never send Spearmen alone
Build behind walls and scale, then meet the Keep push with Crossbows and Springalds

Units that work against French: Spearmen · Archers · Crossbowmen · Camels · Springalds

When French hits

3:40First Royal Knights raid (3:40 to 4:30)
6:003-5 Knights with Archers (6:00 to 8:00)
13:20Castle Keep push with Knights and Arbalétriers

Byzantines strengths to lean on

Cisterns speed up gathering, production and upgrades
Varied mercenaries: Longbows, Javelins, Keshik and Ghulams
Golden Horn Tower produces free mercenaries
Strong Cataphracts in Castle and cheap Varangian Men-at-Arms
Strong defense: Mangonels on Outposts, Keeps and walls

Byzantines weaknesses French can punish

Stone-heavy opening that is weak against early rushes
Oil and Cataphracts were nerfed in June 2026
Lowest win rate at Conqueror
Hard to sustain mercenary production

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Byzantines: Veteran Musofadi Warrior (0.67)
French: Man-at-Arms + Arbalétrier (0.8)

FAQ

Is Byzantines good against French?: Byzantines wins 45% of 12,960 ranked games against French (French is favored).
How do I beat French as Byzantines?: Scout the School of Cavalry at 2:30 to 3:00 Get Spearmen before 3:40, and keep sheep and gold under the TC Outpost with Arrowslits or Palisade on exposed resources
When does French attack?: 3:40 — First Royal Knights raid (3:40 to 4:30) · 6:00 — 3-5 Knights with Archers (6:00 to 8:00) · 13:20 — Castle Keep push with Knights and Arbalétriers

Data from the open game data (aoe4world/data), patch 16.2.10884, public ranked statistics, and Layla Coach's battle simulator. Layla Coach is an independent tool, not affiliated with Microsoft, Relic Entertainment or World's Edge.