An Archer rush in AOE2 is where you build your economy in order to advance to the Feudal Age and then attack quickly with archers. Usually an archer rush build order is completed at 22 or 23 population in AOE2. Your main goal should be to damage the enemy economy by killing their villagers. Target the places that they are collecting resources from such as gold piles, woodlines and berries. An archer rush is one of the best strategies to use at lower levels, before advancing to a Man-at-arms rush. The main counter unit to archers is the skirmisher as they inflict bonus damage to archers. Scouts can be a problem in larger numbers but 6 archers with fletching should defeat 3 scouts.
Here are the best civilizations to complete an archer rush with:-
A great build order for beginners looking to learn a Feudal Age rush. This is Cicero's 23 pop Archer Rush
An intermediate build order that advances with 21 population due to their eco bonus and making use of their tanky archers.
Specifically for the Britons, this build order makes use of the faster sheep collection to advance at 22 pop
An advanced build order where you attack with one opening archery range to gain map control and delay your enemy's military buildings
A great build order that advances at 21 pop and takes advantage of the Ethiopian fast firing archers
An intermediate level build order allows you to use 2 ranges as you normally would but advance 3 villagers earlier.
Due to the Japanese eco bonus, you're able to advance at 21 pop with this build order