Byzantines
Byzantines — a Defensive civilization from the Eastern Mediterranean.
Defensive · Eastern Mediterranean
Ranked Stats
1v1 RM · Update 162286Win rate by Elo
Win rate by map
- Northernisles57.83%
- Bogislands57.78%
- Islands↗57.56%
- Archipelago57.18%
- Migration↗56.82%
- Teamislands55.75%
- Pacificislands55.65%
- Baltic54.83%
- Hamburger52.81%
- Shoals52.4%
Win rate by patch
Source: aoestats.io ranked ladder archive (all-time) · 50% = average
Matchups
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Win-rate edge vs each opponent (50% = average). Team = when the opponent is on the enemy side; confounded by the 3 other civs. Source: aoestats.io ranked ladder archive (all-time)
Civ Bonuses
- Buildings +10/20/30/40% HP in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
- Camel Riders, Skirmishers and Spearman-line cost -25%
- Town Watch, Town Patrol free
- Advancing to Imperial Age costs -33%
- Fire Ships and Dromons attack +25% faster
Team Bonus: Monks heal +100% faster
Unique Units
Unique Techs
- Greek Fire — Fire Ships +1 range; Dromons and Bombard Towers increased blast radius
- Logistica — Cataphracts deal trample damage, +6 attack vs. Infantry
Byzantines are a Defensive civilization from the Eastern Mediterranean.
How to Play Byzantines
Ideal opening (Dark → Castle): Pressure in Feudal with a Skirmisher-and-Spearman rush, leaning on your 25% discount to flood the field with cheap counter units. Carry that into Castle Age, where discounted Skirmishers, Spearmen, and Camels let you answer almost anything your opponent throws at you for a fraction of the usual cost.
Ideal late-game composition: Build around Halberdiers and Skirmishers as your cut-rate trash core, fold in Siege to break formations and buildings, and use your +50% heal-speed Monks to reclaim relics and recover units. Top it off with a flexible gold unit — Cataphracts, Hand Cannoneers, or Heavy Camels — depending on what the matchup demands.
Deathball composition (closed maps / team games): March forward behind a wall of Cataphracts, back them with Bombard Cannons to shell enemy positions, and keep Monks in the mix for healing and conversions; Bombard Towers anchor the line on defense thanks to your cheap, extra-tough buildings.
Recommended build: Spearman + Skirmisher