Is Ottomans good against Byzantines?

Ottomans wins 47.2% of 5,038 ranked games against Byzantines (Byzantines is favored).

How do I beat Byzantines as Ottomans?

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

Ottomans vs Byzantines: how to win the matchup

Playing Ottomans against Byzantines, you win 47.2% of ranked 1v1 games (5,038 games). Here is how to beat Byzantines, what they do and when.

Byzantines is favoredOttomans guide Byzantines guide Byzantines vs Ottomans

Win rate by rank

bronze
51%
465
silver
50.4%
570
gold
46%
1,871
platinum
46.5%
1,079
diamond
47.5%
610
conqueror
46.4%
366

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

Ottomans strengths to lean on

Free units from Military Schools all game long
Vizier points unlock strong bonuses like Akinji and Janissary Company
The Mehter gives the army attack speed or armor
Janissaries have high DPS and shred cavalry
Great Bombard has long range and wrecks armies and buildings

Ottomans weaknesses Byzantines can punish

No boar
Free units take time, so he's weak against early pressure
Sipahi got nerfed several times in 2026
Weak win rate at Diamond and Conqueror

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

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

FAQ

Is Ottomans good against Byzantines?: Ottomans wins 47.2% of 5,038 ranked games against Byzantines (Byzantines is favored).
How do I beat Byzantines as Ottomans?: 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.