Byz game pointers

[bgunter]

Hello everyone I'm new to the boards here so please don't flame me to bad if this is already on here. I was wanting other Byzantine Empire players to just give me a few pointers on how they start up there empires. Also any good mods for them as well i've seen several that add new units.

[Kiki52]

I guess you should try to secure as many alliances as possible with neighboring nations. It's important as everyone hates you, even Russia which is Orthodox Christian. Secure alliances with Hungary and Venice, then expand eastward into Turkey and the Holy Land. Or you can ally with Turkey and Egypt, and expand into Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia etc. It's up to you but don't expand both directions at once or you'll be stretched for troops and money. I'd personally think it'd be better to expand westward into Europe as the Mongols will come and likely either attack Russia/Poland or Egypt/Turks and you don't want to get into trouble with the Mongols.

[bgunter]

Cool thank you for the advice.

[Greg89]

Take Caffa, they have slaves there which brings a decent amount of money if you have good merchants. Also dont get too comfy with alliances with Venetians Turks and Hungarians cuz they will probably attack you within 20 turns of the game. Prepare to meet Mongols and Timurids.

[delra]

Blitz Iconium and Cesearea with whatever you have at the beginning.

Take Sofia as fast as possible with militia. Move on quickly and take Bran from Hungary to make them impotent.

Land a stack of militia in Venice and kill your worst enemies.

Done. Campaign won in 20 turns.

[Amerikai]

If only orthadox factions had a crusade/jihad equivilent it would make it so much easier. Especially as russia with all that damned terrain.

Horse archers are your best friend vs. Hungary and Venice. Venice has nothing comparable and you'll need 4/5 units to put a dent in double the number of uber italian militas(which are unstoppable by Byz early in the game.)

Hungarian nobles are amazing units to start the game with, and your biggest threat on the open battlefield.

Byzzie spearmen, castle units, and Byzzie cav is essentially your well-balanced army.

I personally dont like archers in open battlefields, early on at least, because they can't carry their own weight, even with my microing them to death. Maybe its me. Save your florins and upgrade your unit's armor, I say, it pays off. Constan can get ballista towers early on, but are pricey at 3200, spend it if you decided to go east and have enough sacking funds to pay for 'em.

Knock off Iraklion early if you can too or else the AI will only have it left and fill it to the brim with spear militias which are nasty for any faction to take head on. Better to have Venice as the last for the AI will doubtlessly be dealing with Milan or HRE and have to need to field a mid-sized army.