whats with the byzantine empire?

[spartan dude]

Im sorta new at this game (havnt played in a year and didnt play it before then much)

Im constantly hearing good things about the byzantine empire as a faction, why is it that they get all this praise?

ps ive yet to try them

[Miroslav Klose]

-People like Rome and thus the Basileia ton Romaion
-A versatile roster, with great horse archers and cavalry, nice infantry and sustainable archers. Plus Greek Fire!
-Big early economy
-Constantinople
-They are Christians (Orthodox), but don't need to fear the pope directly (though this can change)
-Expansion possibilities in all directions.
-They have an awesome history

[spartan dude]

so whats their milliatry style like?

is it more fast and light like other eastern factions?

[ChivalrousKiller]

Exactly what Glorfindel says

They have one of the best starting positions, and they have the Latinkon (aka the Ducks )

so whats their milliatry style like?

is it more fast and light like other eastern factions?

Correct, you use a lot of horse archers and light cav, but later in the game also heavy units (Latinkon, Alamanoi, Greek Firethrowers...)

[zcylen]

and they have the Latinkon (aka the Ducks )

why?

[ChivalrousKiller]

why?

Why what?

[zcylen]

Why what?

what do you mean why what?
why lantikons are called ducks

[spartan dude]

damn i suck with fast and light, might have to try them on easy

[Medkirtys]

damn i suck with fast and light, might have to try them on easy

Well, you're missing a lot, that's the most fun, heroic, epic way to play, it's not that hard

[ChivalrousKiller]

Well, you're missing a lot, that's the most fun, heroic, epic way to play, it's not that hard

Heroic? I hope you're joking

[Medkirtys]

Heroic? I hope you're joking

Well, you get Heroic victories 90% of the time, so what not heroic about heroic victory?

[ChivalrousKiller]

Well, you get Heroic victories 90% of the time, so what not heroic about heroic victory?

Come on, running back and forth harassing the enemy isn't heroic!

The last charge of a group of knights, heavy swordsmen defending a gate until the last man, these are heroic things. Not guerilla fighting with horse archers

[ChivalrousKiller]

There are lots of possibilities with the Byzantines, you don't need to fight only with horse archers. They have excellent heavy infantry and cavalry in addition

Problem is, they face only fast and light troops, except for the Venetians

[gutter-rat]

Great starting position, fantastic horse archer selection, great archers and no pope to worry about

Only downside you are on the crusade route

[Surgeon]

You don't get Firethrowers or some of the other heavy units without the Kingdoms expansion and a mod which introduces them to the Grand Campaign. However, you'll still be able to pull off European-style heavy-handed tactics with what units they have. Just be prepared for some guerrilla warfare using horse archers early in the game and against the Turks and sometimes Hungary.

[spartan dude]

ive just started the campaign
and how on earth can the Byzantine spearman be worse than the militia spearmen im fighting in rebal towns

[Shasqua]

ive just started the campaign
and how on earth can the Byzantine spearman be worse than the militia spearmen im fighting in rebal towns

Their purple diapers must hurt their morale.

[Miroslav Klose]

They aren't. The byzzies rule.

[Mihajlo]

Byzantine is the best faction in early camp., in overall. Try to divide your entire forces in just 2 stacks,leave only 1-2 units in citys/castles one goes to conquer Greece citys, sofia, skopie, and if you are fast enough, you might snipe 2-3 towns/castles more (I usually get durazo, belgrade, trgoviste n ragusa too.). Other stack point to minor asia and pwn rebel settlements there.
Byzans have the best starting position and economy, good generals with OP stats. + you have some epic units there too. treasure them in fights cos you wont be able to train them fast, but they are wining force if you use them wise. What you want is to blitz turks and venetians asap. But if you want casual play, then I suggest go for venetians, + sacking venetian capital will net you lots of coins

[Miroslav Klose]

Blitzing isn't fun.