Starting Navy?

[SGD2C]

Some factions start out with a couple of ships, while byzantine, milan and especially venice have larger starting fleets. What do you do with these starting fleets? i usually disband some of them due to their high upkeep cost. But i do keep enough to island hoop if there are any near. any other ways i can get a good use of these?

[Imperator_Maximus]

Milan, Venice, and Byzantium have a large navy at the start because they historically naval powers. You can use navies to blockade ports, which will really bring down their economy, and harrass any ships that are carrying armies.

[finsternis]

Also, island cities are the best economic centers (I believe) so take control of the early in the game. (don't make the mistake I made. Because I took too long to take the isle of Crede, the whole Levant is in war. Don't ask me how)

[Ivo6ata]

Also, island cities are the best economic centers (I believe) so take control of the early in the game. (don't make the mistake I made. Because I took too long to take the isle of Crede, the whole Levant is in war. Don't ask me how)

Yep the island cities are my favs too,even when im playing Sicily im watchin to take control over the eastern islands-Crete,Rhodes and Cyprus sometimes,in the west-Corsica and Sardinia as well.But Nicosia is better to be Castle personally for me cuz is a good location to atack the Holy Lands and the Mongols or the Timurids later.

[Ged]

I let them sit in my ports so that they can kill off the ever resourceful Rebel spawns.

[Kratos]

I usually disband them, don't use navies much early on.

[Salah al-Din]

If you are playing factions that are mostly orientated on the sea, then navy can be your most powerful weapon (fastest transport, intercepting the enemy armies etc.), but if you're playing a major continental force, then you're going to have no use of the navy, at least in the early stages of the game.

[pwijnands]

Rebel navies tend to beat regular navies with the same number of men early in the campaign. So I wouldn't disband a lot of ships, you don't want your forces at the bottom of the ocean.

[SGD2C]

thanks for the replies. they help a lot.

[mightyfenrir]

Some factions start out with a couple of ships, while byzantine, milan and especially venice have larger starting fleets. What do you do with these starting fleets? i usually disband some of them due to their high upkeep cost. But i do keep enough to island hoop if there are any near. any other ways i can get a good use of these?

blockade ports, move merchants further away faster, defend your ports. You can block off straits that can be crossed on foot with navies too.

[Sith_Lord]

also, semnd diplomats far away to get a bunch of allies. Aliies are the best, especially when your at war against a strong faction. eg. Scotland against HRE or something.