Byzantines
Civilization in Age of Empires 2
Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.
Overview
Counter-unit civ: Camel Riders, Skirmishers and Spearmen cost 25% less. Buildings have +10/20/30/40% HP in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age. Town Watch and Town Patrol free, advancing to Imperial Age costs 33% less. Fire Ships and Dromons attack 25% faster. Cataphracts (unique unit from the Castle) take almost no bonus damage from anti-cavalry units and have +13/+18 attack vs. infantry. The Varangian Guard from the Barracks is shock infantry that earns gold in combat. Greek Fire: Fire Ships +1 range, Dromons and Bombard Towers bigger blast radius. Logistica: Cataphracts and Varangian Guards deal trample damage. Team: Monks heal 100% faster.
Typical army
Skirmisher
Spearman
Scout Cavalry
Archer
Elite Skirmisher
Pikeman
Camel Rider
Cataphract
Elite CataphractElite Skirmisher
Halberdier
Heavy Camel RiderWhat to expect from the Byzantines
Usually Spearmen and Skirmishers in Feudal Age – cheap and hard to crack –, less often Archers or Scouts. From Castle Age they counter your army with cheap Skirmishers, Pikemen and Camel Riders, plus Cataphracts against infantry, which even Pikemen barely hurt. The Varangian Guard adds to the front line. The cheap Age-up often gets them to Imperial Age early, where their buildings have 40% more HP.
How to beat the Byzantines
They have no economic bonus: with a clear plan and a strong economy you outgrow them. Their Skirmishers and Spearmen lose to Men-at-Arms, Mangonels and later Hand Cannoneers – but don't send infantry into Cataphracts. Against Cataphracts use Arbalesters, Hand Cannoneers and Paladins instead of Pikemen. Against the Varangian Guard the Militia line helps with its bonus damage vs. shock infantry. They lack Bloodlines, Blast Furnace, Siege Onager, Siege Engineers and Architecture.
Counter army
Man-at-ArmsArcherScout Cavalry
Mangonel
Long Swordsman
Crossbowman
Hand Cannoneer
Arbalester
Cavalier
OnagerBuild orders for the Byzantines
- Detailed Fast ImperialFast Imperial · Feudal 12:35 · Castle 16:05 · Intermediate · by Farm_Man_Official
- Economy BoomFast Castle · Feudal 11:45 · Castle 15:15 · Beginner · by Alex
- Fast CastleFast Castle · Feudal 10:30 · Castle 14:00 · Beginner · by Dexstan
- Fast ImperialFast Imperial · Feudal 12:35 · Castle 16:05 · Beginner · by Farm_Man_Official
- FC Castle Drop + Military ExpansionFast Castle · Feudal 13:50 · Castle 17:20 · Beginner · by Jubulence
- TG FlankArcher Rush · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 21:30 · Intermediate · by Tatoh
Plus 149 build orders for every civ – step by step with voice guidance in the player.
Play the Byzantines with a plan
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