Is Malians good against French?

Malians wins 50.9% of 12,008 ranked games against French (Even matchup).

How do I beat French as Malians?

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

Malians vs French: how to win the matchup

Playing Malians against French, you win 50.9% of ranked 1v1 games (12,008 games). Here is how to beat French, what they do and when.

Even matchupMalians guide French guide French vs Malians

Win rate by rank

bronze
46.8%
895
silver
48.7%
1,450
gold
51.9%
4,726
platinum
51.6%
2,756
diamond
52.5%
1,200
conqueror
48.8%
736

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

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 French 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)
French: Man-at-Arms + Arbalétrier (0.8)

FAQ

Is Malians good against French?: Malians wins 50.9% of 12,008 ranked games against French (Even matchup).
How do I beat French as Malians?: 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.