Is Rus good against Byzantines?

Rus wins 46.7% of 4,496 ranked games against Byzantines (Byzantines is favored).

How do I beat Byzantines as Rus?

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

Rus vs Byzantines: how to win the matchup

Playing Rus against Byzantines, you win 46.7% of ranked 1v1 games (4,496 games). Here is how to beat Byzantines, what they do and when.

Byzantines is favoredRus guide Byzantines guide Byzantines vs Rus

Win rate by rank

bronze
45.1%
224
silver
45.7%
440
gold
46.8%
1,488
platinum
45.5%
1,098
diamond
47.4%
705
conqueror
50.4%
476

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

Rus strengths to lean on

Lots of early food from Hunting Cabins, deer and bounty
Safe expansion with the Wooden Fortress and Fortified Palisade
Early Knights in Feudal for raiding
Strong Castle: Warrior Monks, Horse Archers and relics
The Kremlin produces Levy Militia almost for free

Rus weaknesses Byzantines can punish

Average Feudal infantry; if he loses the hunt or the Knights, he falls behind
Horse Archers and Monks need micro and lots of gold
Imperial relies on Streltsy and siege

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Rus: Militia (0.21)
Byzantines: Veteran Musofadi Warrior (0.67)

FAQ

Is Rus good against Byzantines?: Rus wins 46.7% of 4,496 ranked games against Byzantines (Byzantines is favored).
How do I beat Byzantines as Rus?: 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.