My experience is the opposite: 0ad will lag on my laptop once thing become big. BAR will warn that it’s not compatible with my low end intel integrated potato gpu, but it works just fine..

BAR runs fine on low end CPUs...until you have like 2,000 units on speed metal

I had problems with lag years ago but not lately, though I don't do big multiplayer matches with several players and the like.

I'll check BAR out.