Byzantium

Europe Hard Military Advanced Challenge v1.0
Updated for v1.0.x | Last updated: 2025-01-15

Opening Context

High-risk opener teaching naval control, siege timing, and strict logistics. Succeed with short, decisive campaigns and strong allies. Byzantium's position requires careful management of multiple threats and limited resources.

Advanced Challenge: Byzantium is one of the hardest starts in EU5. This guide assumes you understand basic mechanics and are ready for a challenging campaign.

First 50 Years Checklist

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Follow this checklist to survive and thrive as Byzantium in your first 50 years.
  • Naval Priority: Fund galleys and blockades. Control straits to isolate enemies. Naval dominance is crucial for Byzantium's survival.
  • Ally a Land Counterweight: Find one strong land ally to balance against Ottoman threats. Timing is critical—ally before you need them.
  • Time the Strike When Rivals Are Distracted: Wait for opportunities when rivals are distracted by other wars or internal problems.
  • Don't Split Fronts: Focus on one theater at a time. Don't fight on multiple fronts simultaneously.
  • Siege with Merc Soak: Use mercenaries to absorb siege casualties while your main army maintains strength.
  • Rotate Stacks: Rotate stacks to limit attrition. Don't keep armies in the same province for too long.
  • Take Cash/War Reps and Positional Cores First: Prioritize cash, war reparations, and core provinces in early peaces. Don't overextend.
  • Keep Maintenance Low in Peace: Lower maintenance during peace to save cash for infrastructure and future wars.
  • Rebuild Economy and Staff Key Buildings: Rebuild economy and staff key buildings before next push. Don't rush into another war unprepared.

Diplomacy Targets & Risks

Key Targets:

  • One Strong Land Ally: Secure one strong land ally (like Austria, Hungary, or Poland) to balance against Ottoman threats.
  • Smaller Neighbors: Potential expansion targets, but be careful about aggressive expansion and coalition formation.

Risks:

  • Ottoman Threats: Manage Ottoman threats carefully. They're your primary enemy and will attack when you're weak.
  • Early Coalitions: Avoid early coalitions. Pace conquests and improve relations with neighbors.
  • Multiple Fronts: Don't fight on multiple fronts. Pick one theater per war and focus your forces.
  • Isolation: Getting isolated from major powers. Maintain at least one strong alliance.

Trade Nodes Plan

Byzantium's economy relies on local coastal hubs and naval control:

  • Focus on Local Coastal Hubs: Build marketplaces in local coastal hubs (Constantinople, Thessaloniki, etc.) to expand trade capacity.
  • Marketplaces to Expand Capacity: Use marketplaces to expand trade capacity before building complex trade routes.
  • Avoid Long Exposed Routes: Avoid long exposed routes until fleet scales. Protect trade routes with naval dominance.
  • Staff Production Before Expanding: Ensure all production buildings are staffed before building more. Idle buildings drain maintenance.

Military & Logistics Notes

Byzantium's military strategy emphasizes naval control and timing:

  • Straits and Blockades Win Wars: Control straits and use blockades to isolate enemies. Naval dominance is crucial.
  • Avoid Mountain Chases: Don't chase enemies into mountains. Mountain terrain causes severe attrition and slow movement.
  • End Wars Quickly: End wars quickly once objectives are met. Don't drag wars into winter or overextend your forces.
  • Use Mercenaries for Siege Soak: Use mercenaries to absorb siege casualties while your main army maintains strength.
  • Rotate Stacks: Rotate stacks to limit attrition. Don't keep armies in the same province for too long.
  • Secure Ports: Secure ports for naval resupply. Coastal provinces with ports are crucial for maintaining supply lines.

Alternate Routes

Alternative strategies for Byzantium:

  • Survival First: Focus on survival and consolidation before aggressive expansion. Rebuild economy and secure alliances.
  • Naval-First Expansion: Use naval dominance to expand into coastal territories. Control straits and use blockades to isolate enemies.
  • Diplomatic Restoration: Use diplomacy and vassalization to restore Byzantine influence without direct military expansion.

Recommended Mission Track

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Mission Strategy: Consider Infrastructure Efforts for regional control and stability, or Trade Focus if you can secure coastal trade hubs. Naval missions align with Byzantium's strengths.