athanaric - you are right but that is impossible at the start where money goes down each round.If I recall well I got up to minus 12000 mnai before I started recovering.So early on, to build fleet was not an option.I now have a small fleet patrolling the Aegean and occasionally transporting troops to minor Asia where my main military front exists.Future plans involve invading of Cyprus as already been said, and I believe is a very important move strategically.
The difference with vanilla? Cyprus is WELL guarded ;-)

Randal - Thanks for the tip I didn't know that, yet it seems quite logical.The more I learn about EB the more I can sense how well designed it is by all aspects.

Small update - Epirotes are now silenced, having only two cities and for the time being I let them be.I have a feeling that if I eliminate them, the Senate would order a full scale invasion and right now that is something I can not afford.I eliminated Macedon and now besieging rebel Sardike.I plan to build my territory up to Dunav river then expand to the minor Asia and Crimea.I am allied to the Getai nation but I always have the fear of this people looking to plunder my rich cities :-P

For now the eastern front is full of action! While the Seleucid is not attacking maybe due to lack of resources or being distracted with something else, the Ptolemae has launched a FULL scale attack.I can not stop fighting this backstabbing scam :-P He besieges Ipsos each round, and I have to help lift the siege.I have a full stack on a hill near Ipsos blocking the way to the city.Inside the city my faction leader also with a full stack.

I had a major battle when a strategos of theirs passed by my army and besieged the town.On the other hand the smart AI had three medium stacks (around 1200~1300 each) attack from three directions simultaneously.Hopefully I wasnt encircled but still the odds were pretty even.
The result was a heroic victory for Klearchos Philasios and a bonus star as a result of this epic battle.Lasted over half an hour !!!

As I said in a previous post I had to adapt my tactics.As another poster said, cavalry is vital.It is the unit to win the battle.Now I always field a couple of Prodoromoi who with their nice stamina are ideal for killing the fleeing enemy and deploying them fast where it is needed.Also at least a unit of Xystophoroi who are the shock cavalry and give the decisive blow.Plus a couple of Hetairoi Aspidophoroi for disrupting the AI plans :-P

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.Keep 'em coming :-)