Is Malians good against Byzantines?

Malians wins 45.5% of 3,461 ranked games against Byzantines (Byzantines is favored).

How do I beat Byzantines as Malians?

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

Malians vs Byzantines: how to win the matchup

Playing Malians against Byzantines, you win 45.5% of ranked 1v1 games (3,461 games). Here is how to beat Byzantines, what they do and when.

Byzantines is favoredMalians guide Byzantines guide Byzantines vs Malians

Win rate by rank

silver
50.4%
262
gold
44.5%
1,106
platinum
44.5%
989
diamond
44.1%
616
conqueror
48.4%
324

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

Malians strengths to lean on

Very strong gold from the Pit Mine and Mansa Quarry
TC costs gold instead of stone, so expanding is easy
Safe food from cattle and Ranches
Strong Feudal units: Sofa, Donso, Javelin Throwers and Musofadi
Veteran upgrades at half cost and time

Malians weaknesses Byzantines can punish

No boar, and houses give half population
Unique units have low HP and need micro
Weak against Abbasid Dynasty (Camels and Ghulams) and strong tempo
The Pit Mine and houses are outside TC protection

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Malians: Veteran Mansa Musofadi Warrior (0.53)
Byzantines: Veteran Musofadi Warrior (0.67)

FAQ

Is Malians good against Byzantines?: Malians wins 45.5% of 3,461 ranked games against Byzantines (Byzantines is favored).
How do I beat Byzantines as Malians?: 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.