How to beatFrenchas Knights Templar

Knights Templar pump out infantry, it is truly absurd just how many archers they can put out. But when you're a civilization like French, which don't mind facing a lot of archers as they can just pump out a lot of knights on their side, the fights do end up a lot more in favor of the French typically. That is as long as they can keep their knights alive.

Against French, choosing the Angevin Empire commandery for Heavy Spearmen is effective because they heavily counter Royal Knights and can also stand up to archers.

When Knights Templar goes for a 2TC build against French, precise timing is essential because the French School of Cavalry builds knights 20% faster, allowing an early knight to disrupt the TC.

Against French, it's often best to delay investing in Pilgrims until you can secure a connection to a Sacred Site, as early knight pressure makes it impossible to protect them.

Combining Textiles with the Knights Hospitaller health bonus makes Knights Templar villagers extremely tanky against French knights.