Alternate History of the Byzantine Empire

[DemonArchangel]

HELP what kind of military units would an alternate history mod for the Byzantine empire get (extends through modern times)...

[DemonArchangel]

the only thing i have mapped out so far would be the Kataphraktoi class MKVII Heavy Tank with 2 .50 machine guns, 3 greek fire flamethrowers, 3 180mm cannons and 2 227 mm missle launchers.

[Kongamato]

Is this going to be set in modern times only, or will it evolve from 1453 on? If it does, you should try to create your world from 1453 onward and evolve your units to modern times.

Also, remember that a modern day melee warrior is actually conceivable but just so economically unfeasible that they are not even put on the drawing board. This could change with the Byz being around, with their massive income and presumably their empire being intact. Therefore, try to think of a Varangian guard unit that has armor that bullets bounce off of and a mechanically-assisted movement system that makes them faster than the ordinary troop.

[DemonArchangel]

ok, actually byzantines invented a new kind of armor that deflects small arms fire
and they invented shock (hint:explosion) resistant plexiglas. Varangians are either armed with rapid firing grenade launchers or sniper rifles.

[rory_20_uk]

I disagree there. The byzantimes had a massive income, but then so did the British empire in its hayday - probably greater.
The reason that the Byzantines had such a great income was due to their control of the trade routes to the east - and their monopoly was broken by the portuguese, snapnish friench and British. I would then have thought that their income would decrease in any case.
Armour that protects better is not the answer unless one can maeke it very light or develop cyborgs who can lug around 3 toms of steel plate. Else the lighter more manouverable foe will win the day in any case - or just deploy cannon...

[DemonArchangel]

If you read my completed alternate history, you would see that the byzantines fought the portuguese, the british, and the americans for control of the indian ocean, winning all three times.

[rory_20_uk]

Fair enough fair enough, not that I am happy with the idea of someone brating the British http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I guess if we are going to go that far as to the alternate working of the world, I am not sure exactly what norms we can assume.

[Casca]

IF the Byzantine Empire had managed to hold on to its traditional borders into this modern era keep in mind that it would have control over almost all the oil in the middle east...think OPEC all rolled into one and then think of the world wide economic clout and influence this would bring. We may have to think of it as the alternate version of the USA on steroids http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Alrowan]

id like to see this mod if its ever made.. could certainly be fun to play

[Demon of Light]

Casca: Take that concept of America on steroids to its logical conclusion. If the Byzantines were bigger, badder and meaner than the U.S is today, what might they favor as far as a military. I realize that it seems almost impossible to extrapolate given how long ago they collapsed but give it a shot.

P.S: Would they really be U.S on steroids? Would their culture have aided in the creation of that degree of power and, more importantly, would the culture have been able to support it. If I remember correctly, The Byzantines fell in large part due to some of the fundamental weaknesses in their culture that were allowed to gain ascendency over the strengths.

[DemonArchangel]

a fundemental byzantine weakness would be something called treachery.

the french own the middle east, because the crusades were sucessful, but the british overran mainland france, so most of the french fled to the middle east, co-existing with the arabs and in time, converting to islam, but the byzantines own the suez canal zone, and the french ship their oil to byzantine refineries.

[DemonArchangel]

the mod won't be made until i figure out all the (alternate) history behind it.

The byzantine military, especially its infantry look archaic, but are quite modern. it's infantry still carry shields, albeit ones that absorb 30mm rounds. Also, the byzantines invented bipedal armored vehicles (mechs) that are armed with various types of weapon, are faster and have a longer range than tanks, but can't carry much ammunition.

[Kongamato]

What about the Eastern empires, such as Mongolia, China, and Japan? What plans do you have for them?

[DemonArchangel]

well, this mod will be centered primarily around middle eastern and european conflict, unless someone teaches me how to mod a faction emergence, if so then the mongols would be included.

Also, the message would say something like this

Angry mongol warriors seeking revenge on poor quality marijuana have invaded the Netherlands (friesland)

or it might say/

Well the Mongol myth of the reincarnation of Ghengis Khan has come true, and now they've attacked.