Starting with Byz's

**dgfred** · 11-04-2005, 17:52

As I have spouted many times, I almost always play HRE and my 'Friedrich'
units

, with an occaisional go with the Danes, French, Spanish or
Egypt. Now I want to start an Early/Hard/GA/Byzantine game and was
wondering if any of the excellent players here could give out some opening
move tips so it will not be my first (and last) try with these guys. OK, let
me have it!

**Grey_Fox** · 11-04-2005, 18:06

Launch an immediate attack upon the Turks, then march on the Egyptian lands. After that either take on the Almohads or move further into Eastern Europe (or both if you are feeling randy).

**dgfred** · 11-04-2005, 18:31

Originally Posted by Grey_Fox

Launch an immediate attack upon the Turks, then march on the Egyptian lands. After that either take on the Almohads or move further into Eastern Europe (or both if you are feeling randy).

Hello Grey Fox

, I've read many of your post on the 'other' forum-
thanks for the tips.

Do you wipe them out or do you take a select few provinces from the Turks
and Egyptians? When I play as Egypt if I don't wipe out the Turks they
become a permanent thorn in my side

.

**Grey_Fox** · 11-04-2005, 19:58

Originally Posted by dgfred

Hello Grey Fox

, I've read many of your post on the 'other' forum-
thanks for the tips.

No problem.

Originally Posted by dgfred

Do you wipe them out or do you take a select few provinces from the Turks
and Egyptians? When I play as Egypt if I don't wipe out the Turks they
become a permanent thorn in my side

Take every province in them, otherwise you will probably end up with enemy forces in your rear.

Don't worry too much about being outnumbered, your high valour and (usually) high command Kataphraktoi will be able to make the difference against the weakish Turks and the peasant-spamming Egyptians.

**yesdachi** · 11-04-2005, 20:08

As the Byz do you (anyone) recommend taking the provinces that are crusade targets in early. Would it just buy me a bunch of trouble from the Catholics or does the $$$ make up for it?

**Grey_Fox** · 11-04-2005, 20:11

Take them. The money is good and the Crusades provide good training for your troops. It will also shorten your borders, thus allowing you to send troops on expeditions to relieve Naples.

Ah, yes, I forgot about Naples. Build up there as quickly as possible to get Spearmen, then try to take Sicily. If you lose it, fear not, you might get a rebellion there - I remember getting a Kat, two Varangians and two archer units which formed the core of a small army that allowed me to go traipsing around the Italian Peninsula.

**HopAlongBunny** · 11-04-2005, 18:37

In addition, build a fleet and be ready for the horde. Treb is great for the archers (+1 for the prov. +2 with master bowyer); dedicate a province to V. Gaurd production and build as many as you can as long as you can; some let Naples go but some use it as a stepping stone for Sicily...never been that lucky myself

HA are great! but the Moslems usually have better; Bulgaria/Greece (or Serbia) make a nice buffer for Constantinople.

Egypt gives a southern choke point; Georgia in the east...once you have this you pretty much know where any invader has to come if you have a strong fleet. Crusades

I hate'em and once I'm established i just kill'em all

can't think of much more atm Enjoy!

**Weebeast** · 11-04-2005, 18:39

Take Rum as it's the richest land compared to the other two. As you begin, just stack all troops in Trebizond and attack in second or third turn.

You can instead take on rebels in the balkan but that's not good as either one of those muslims will be so big once one is wiped out.

Look after Naples. Sicilians are gonna invade that soon ( Naples or Greece, depends).

**Third spearman from the left** · 11-04-2005, 18:52

If the advice of kings and great warriors becomes to much this lowly spearman thinks an attack north would be good. Head up beat the People of notverygood' and get building for when the horde come. Then pop over to Denmark and the like, for some loyal viking fighters...ha ha!!

'Big sharp pointy teeth'

**Vladimir** · 11-04-2005, 19:13

The Byzantium section in the strategy/gameplay whatever forum has most of the information you'll need. I like to cheat and give them Armored Almunghavars (something like that). It has a bit of historical flavor and gives them a better chance against the Egyptians.