Need a plan for the Byzantine Empire.

[Sorkenlol]

I'm just about to start a campaign as the Byzantine Empire, for the first time. Not really the kind of faction I'm in to, I like heavy knights in shining armor. But everyone seems to love them, so what the heck.

I am playing Stainless Steel 6.1, by the way.

For the moment, I'm thinking of taking Caffa, Iraklion and then hit Venice, ancona and ragusa hard. This will destroy The Republic of Venice. However, it would be better to just get Iraklion and Caffa, but if I do that I risk starting a long war with Venice, and they will send their god damn fleets everywhere and attack durazzo/sophia all the time. So then I have to destroy them, which will put me at great risk with the papacy, venice, genoa and HRE. What do you think of this plan overall?

I'm also planning to ally Hungary and the Turks in the beginning, and keep them happy until I got myself a pretty large empire.

I've also thought of capturing all of the Black sea, which would include waging war against russia, cumans, venice (caffa), possibly turkey and hungary.

[Mithrane]

The reason I avoid going after Venice first is because this puts you further into the heart of central Europe, which adds more countries to your borders, specifically Catholic ones. This leads to more countries which will look at you as easy meat and increases the problems you will have with the Catholics.

I find it easier to take Sofia ( I don't play mods ) and form a defensive line in Greece to hold back the Catholics. From there, either go for the Russian steppes (not most profitable), Egypt and Africa (requires a good navy and planning), the Holy Lands (prepare to fight EVERYBODY but have a ton of money), or the Turks ( my sop ). Once the Turks are down, I tend to eat up the middle east down to Cairo and then prepare for a defensive war on both fronts.

By now, the Mongols have usually arrived and one of your western Catholic "friends" is itching for a fight. If the Mongols go north into Russia, you have the forces to make a swift push into the offending country and any others at war with you. If you are fast enough, you can take out all of the main-land Europeans before the Mongols head south or the Timurids show up. If not, I try to aim for controlling the sea and taking out all Mediterranean powers (besides the Pope). This greatly reduces my cost for my navy and lets me turn my aggressive focus to the East as there are plenty of defensive lines in the west.

[paokmam]

Keep on mind that the war with Venice and the Turks is inevitable, so prepare! Oh, and you need to keep in mind that the Crusaders are going to cross your land creating havoc several times. I always establish my power in Cyprus and aim for Tripoli(a lot of money there!). Whatever you do, HAVE FUN!!!

[Sorkenlol]

Thanks guys. The biggest problem with the turks is that their land reaches all the way up to the Caspian Sea, and they're neighbours with the Khwarezmian Empire (persia). This puts me at great risk to both of these factions, but the biggest threat would be the mongols.

I'm thinking venice again, for Caffa and Iraklion, and then take Cyprus and Antioch, from there I can attack The Kingdom of Jerusalem or Egypt. I find fighting egypt very fun, so I might do that.

I'd love Caffa and Iraklion though.. Damn Venice..

[hitokiri2486]

I'd say go with Caffa and Iraklion. Caffa, in particular, is a great money maker once you develop it into a large city.

I always go with rebuilding the historical Byzantine Empire, it makes it more fun, but one shouldn't be too picky with their opportunities, nor should one look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Sorkenlol]

Yeah. I'm going to take Caffa and Iraklion at the same turn, and send a diplomat outside of venice ready to make peace. If they decline, I'll destroy their little republic.

[Viking Prince]

Iwould suggest looking a Wheelchair's video guid to byzantium. He is amusing to listen to and you will learn a few things.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=179145

you can also check out his latest guide -- Venice Pt1 and his completed guide on England.

He tends to sack a great deal and there are other differences with my style and I still enjoy his banter and suggestions.

[D.B. Cooper]

I'd take out Venice outright, they're infantry are a real pain to deal with.

[Mithrane]

I'd take out Venice outright, they're infantry are a real pain to deal with.

Their infantry are easily killed with horse archers early-mid game, and numbers / location late game.

Ideally, one does not let Venice get to late game. However, one by no means must take them out fast. Early game, if they rush you, the militias will be a **** to take down. However, with good defensive positioning, liberal use of watch towers and scouting parties, and a run-gun cavalry force with no general (attack-retreat and avoid poor traits), one can take out an entire early Venitian army with a 3-4 stack of the lowest level horse archers.

Venice is a threat, and will always hit when you don't want them to. This is why I used the castle of Sofia and the surrounding Greek lands to build up my archers and infantry. Make a defensive wall for them to run into. Throw annoying horse archers at them as they come to attack you. And, when they look in trouble or after a sound defeat of their attacking forces, send your defensive forces to loot and pillage their lands.

If you are ever able to take Venice early, execute everyone, destroy every building, and leave it to the rebels. You will have set them back so far they will never recover.

[Barry]

Well, ive just started a campaign as Venice. My infantry heavy armies just hate missile cavalry, so as Byzantium I urge you to focus your attention on recruiting these, hit and run tactics should bleed them to death. I would advise on a two front war, Venice, as stated above, and also lead a stack into Turkey where you will find lots of weak settlements.

[Sorkenlol]

Still haven't started it yet got caught up with Fallout 3. Going to make the campaign when I'm done with it, so keep going guys.