The timing of Riddari can make it very difficult for Golden Horde to survive in early Castle Age because of their slow age up.

Once those Stockyards are up and running and you have the composition going with crossbows, Keshik, Men-at-Arms and such, I think that kind of a mass can be really difficult for Macedonian to deal with, especially combined with the massive income that's fueling it.

Riddari have plus two pierce armor, so archers don't do much damage against them. Crossbows are the answer.

I really like going for the horse archers. If you can get to castle age without taking damage, then you can just sort of kite these Varangian guards. It works really well.

The men-at-arms against Riddari, not exactly the unit you want