Is Delhi Sultanate good against Byzantines?

Delhi Sultanate wins 50.4% of 2,257 ranked games against Byzantines (Even matchup).

How do I beat Byzantines as Delhi Sultanate?

Early rush: kill the stone and berry villagers and deny the second berries Pressure before their 12-13 minute Castle Against Cataphracts: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels

When does Byzantines attack?

4:38 — Feudal: non-stop Limitanei and mercenary Longbows or Javelins · 9:00 — Ram timing between 8 and 10 minutes in the Winery build · 13:05 — Castle: Cataphracts and Longbows, that's his main hit

Delhi Sultanate vs Byzantines: how to win the matchup

Playing Delhi Sultanate against Byzantines, you win 50.4% of ranked 1v1 games (2,257 games). Here is how to beat Byzantines, what they do and when.

Even matchupDelhi Sultanate guide Byzantines guide Byzantines vs Delhi Sultanate

Win rate by rank

silver
48.5%
202
gold
47.6%
737
platinum
52.3%
598
diamond
49.3%
359
conqueror
52.3%
219

How to beat Byzantines

Early rush: kill the stone and berry villagers and deny the second berries
Pressure before their 12-13 minute Castle
Against Cataphracts: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels
Against Limitanei: Men-at-Arms or Horsemen; Archers are weak vs Shield Wall
Scout: stone villager count and Cisterns, Winery or Hippodrome, Golden Horn at 10:30

Units that work against Byzantines: Spearmen · Crossbowmen · Men-at-Arms · Horsemen · Mangonels

When Byzantines hits

4:38Feudal: non-stop Limitanei and mercenary Longbows or Javelins
9:00Ram timing between 8 and 10 minutes in the Winery build
13:05Castle: Cataphracts and Longbows, that's his main hit

Delhi Sultanate strengths to lean on

All upgrades are free, so the late army is fully upgraded
Takes Sacred Sites early with Scholars for free gold
Ghazi Raiders are fast and shred Archers and ranged units
Massed Elephants (War / Tower Elephant) are very strong in Castle and Imperial
Good defense: infantry build Palisades and Compound turns walls into stone

Delhi Sultanate weaknesses Byzantines can punish

Research is slow without Scholars; losing Scholars delays everything
No boar; food comes from berries, sheep and deer
Elephants are slow, expensive and easily kited
Weak Feudal and Castle get punished by fast civs
Imperial economy is weak

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Delhi Sultanate: Man-at-Arms (0.74)
Byzantines: Veteran Musofadi Warrior (0.67)

FAQ

Is Delhi Sultanate good against Byzantines?: Delhi Sultanate wins 50.4% of 2,257 ranked games against Byzantines (Even matchup).
How do I beat Byzantines as Delhi Sultanate?: Early rush: kill the stone and berry villagers and deny the second berries Pressure before their 12-13 minute Castle Against Cataphracts: upgraded Spearmen, Crossbows and Camels
When does Byzantines attack?: 4:38 — Feudal: non-stop Limitanei and mercenary Longbows or Javelins · 9:00 — Ram timing between 8 and 10 minutes in the Winery build · 13:05 — Castle: Cataphracts and Longbows, that's his main hit

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.