Is Byzantines good against Japanese?

Byzantines wins 44.3% of 5,862 ranked games against Japanese (Japanese is favored).

How do I beat Japanese as Byzantines?

Pressure in the Fast Castle window from 5:40 to 8:00 with Men-at-Arms, Archers or Horsemen Build a tower on his gold to delay the Mounted Samurai Against Mounted Samurai: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels, and kill the Uma Bannerman

When does Japanese attack?

5:41 — Feudal with few units, the best time to pressure · 7:40 — Castle: Stable and non-stop Mounted Samurai

Byzantines vs Japanese: how to win the matchup

Playing Byzantines against Japanese, you win 44.3% of ranked 1v1 games (5,862 games). Here is how to beat Japanese, what they do and when.

Japanese is favoredByzantines guide Japanese guide Japanese vs Byzantines

Win rate by rank

bronze
44.8%
296
silver
43.3%
615
gold
44.6%
2,352
platinum
45.3%
1,391
diamond
41.9%
667
conqueror
43.4%
424

How to beat Japanese

Pressure in the Fast Castle window from 5:40 to 8:00 with Men-at-Arms, Archers or Horsemen
Build a tower on his gold to delay the Mounted Samurai
Against Mounted Samurai: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels, and kill the Uma Bannerman
Keep fights long so Deflective Armor runs out
Scout: Barracks at 0:00, Kura or Koka, Stable at 8:00

Units that work against Japanese: Spearmen · Crossbowmen · Men-at-Arms · Camels

When Japanese hits

5:41Feudal with few units, the best time to pressure
7:40Castle: Stable and non-stop Mounted Samurai

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 Japanese 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)
Japanese: Veteran Samurai + Veteran Spearman (0.8)

FAQ

Is Byzantines good against Japanese?: Byzantines wins 44.3% of 5,862 ranked games against Japanese (Japanese is favored).
How do I beat Japanese as Byzantines?: Pressure in the Fast Castle window from 5:40 to 8:00 with Men-at-Arms, Archers or Horsemen Build a tower on his gold to delay the Mounted Samurai Against Mounted Samurai: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels, and kill the Uma Bannerman
When does Japanese attack?: 5:41 — Feudal with few units, the best time to pressure · 7:40 — Castle: Stable and non-stop Mounted Samurai

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.