Requesting Advice for New Byzantium Campaign

[NobleNick]

I am about 10 turns into a long Byz campaign, VH/VH, using vanilla 1.2 M2TW. Byz has taken several settlements, including Sofia.

Byz has established trade rights with the Turks, Venice, HRE, Papal States, Milan, and Hungary. In fact, was able to pry 1000 florins out of Hungary for trading rights.

Byzantium has 6 settlments, I think. Sicily has been repulsed once in their bid to take the southernmost settlement on the Aegian pennisula (Corinth?); but they have returned with a half-stack which looks up to the task of taking it. Sicily is currently the only faction with which Byz is at war.

I put Sofia under siege just before Hungary arrived with approximately 7 units. By the time Sofia capitulated, 5 more had arrived. Meanwhile, 4 Vardaroitai and 2 Byz Cavalry (all of which were won doing missions) plus a general, joined up at Sofia. Byz now has this all cav force (includes 2 generals) standing toe-to-toe with Hungary's force (1 general + 2 peasant archers + 9 spear militia) just outside of Sofia. The Byz cav force would certainly prevail if it attacked (or got attacked), and I *think* that the 7 or so foot units inside the castle would hold out if the cav left and then Hungary attacked.

So, enough background. On to the questions:

Hungary's stack is not camped next to Sofia for a boyscout camporee: I know they will lay siege if my cav leaves. My cav, though, are very expensive upkeep; and I feel it is a waste to just let them stay there to stare down the Hungarian force. Do I attack and get it over with, leave and let the Hungarians lay siege (so that they take the political fallout) or just stay and stare them down? If I leave, do I take the cav force south to deal with Sicily's invasion, or north to take the neighboring Hungarian territory (as punishment for daring to attack the mighty Byzantine empire)? What would you do?

Next question: How long before I have to worry about the Turks (or any other threats from the East)?

I am especially interested in answers from people who have played Byzantium on campaign difficulty of Very Hard.

Thank you.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I would call their bluff. Move your army out of Sofia and into a nearby forest to prepare an "ambush", thus clearing you from the strategic map in their eyes.

Let them take Sofia, and then immediately lay seige with their army trapped inside. I assume you have enough troops to do some damage and/or beat their sally? That cavalry will come in handy.

You cannot afford to waste time. Force their hand. If they will attack, make them attack today, not tommorow. Leave the door wide open. Let them take the political fallout.

I personally would not be concerned about the fallout, as you're only trade partners and they seem to want to backstab you anyway. Your primary enemy in this campaign is Venice and Sicily. Yes, Venice will betray you, because you are on their list of objectives. So don't be surprised when they backstab you.

Destroy the Hungarian army any way you see fit, either directly with a confrontation today, or your backlash once they take the settlement. But move your troops, and as many of them as possible, towards Durazzo, Corinth, and Ragusa.

This is my first post in this forum, but I am a veteran of the Forums.TotalWar.Org community, and I am the reigning Blitzmaster (28 turns, 106 provinces held, HRE, Vanilla 1.02) there. I am quite knowledgable about VH/VH 1.02 campaigns. Trust me when I say that the Italians are your greatest enemy, they will betray you.

Constantinople can produce enough good quality militia to hold back both Hungary and the Turks, but you need your best troops defending your western front or assaulting Italy, or all will be lost.

For more information, check out the Org. I hope to hear from you.

http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/member.php?u=23872 This is my Org page.
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/userpa...n&userid=23872 This page contains some of my thoughts.
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=99026 This thread should show my strategic credentials
http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=100126 This thread should show my tactical credentials

Greetings to all at TW Center! Askthepizzaguy has arrived.

[Laconian]

Hmm, I would say remove your cavalry from the and place them nearly one turn away. If the Hungarians attack, bring up the cav and crush them.

[NobleNick]

Thanks for the long reply, Askthepizzaguy! (I love long replies, especially when they are helpful.) Your credentials are impressive, and I enjoyed reading some of your other posts.

And welcome to the forum!

O.K., I know that I need to prepare for (rather, pre-empt) the Italian onslaught. And thanks to you, I know where to start.

Thank you, too, laconian. I appreciate your advice.

O.K., only one more question before I decide whether to disappear (or move a turn away) in an "ambush" ploy, or just straight out attack: Am I going to be at war with Hungary anyway? If they had taken Sofia and I left them alone, would they still start coming after me in the early game?

Thank you for your help.

[Laconian]

Hmmm, Sofia is always a trouble provinces as the AI Hungarians as well as the Byzantines also go from the start to it and they both want it badly as it is the entrance into the Balkans.

I reckon if the Hungarians are really desperate for land and are greedy they will attack. But then again they might be passive that every in the game and not attack.

But having played as the Byzzies in many campaign, the Hungarians more often than not attack you so I think it is better to be ready and be ready to take the fight to their territory so move your cavalry out and get and ambush ready just in case they decide to.