Is Golden Horde good against Byzantines?

Golden Horde wins 57.7% of 3,751 ranked games against Byzantines (Golden Horde is favored).

How do I beat Byzantines as Golden Horde?

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

Golden Horde vs Byzantines: how to win the matchup

Playing Golden Horde against Byzantines, you win 57.7% of ranked 1v1 games (3,751 games). Here is how to beat Byzantines, what they do and when.

Golden Horde is favoredGolden Horde guide Byzantines guide Byzantines vs Golden Horde

Win rate by rank

silver
55.7%
300
gold
57.8%
1,292
platinum
55.1%
1,027
diamond
60.4%
610
conqueror
59.6%
357

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

Golden Horde strengths to lean on

Trains units in batches; with Reinforcements the army doubles quickly
Ovoo gives free stone without villagers
Safe food at home from Stockyards
Khan, Torguuds and Keshik control the map early in Feudal
Muscovy Yasak gives +2 ranged armor to cavalry and Men-at-Arms instantly

Golden Horde weaknesses Byzantines can punish

Weakest Dark Age in the game, and the Ovoo is usually outside TC range
Slow age-up, with no Khan or Torguuds while aging
The Fortified Outpost is expensive: 150 wood and 50 stone
Weak against 2 TC and against fast Castle behind pressure
Bad on water and hybrid maps

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Golden Horde: Man-at-Arms + Veteran Spearman (0.87)
Byzantines: Veteran Musofadi Warrior (0.67)

FAQ

Is Golden Horde good against Byzantines?: Golden Horde wins 57.7% of 3,751 ranked games against Byzantines (Golden Horde is favored).
How do I beat Byzantines as Golden Horde?: 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.