Byzantine LOR strategy

[Dragassa]

What would be the best way to deal with the new factions system as the Byzantine?
Would you try to get your demesnes as built up as possible before going after the Turks?
Would you spend a lot of time getting ready for the Mongols if you do not go east of the Levante area?
Answer would be appreciated.

 

[ConstantineXII]

Excommunicate the faction leaders/members, then arrest them.

That's what I've heard anyways, I have yet to try it myself.... But I'm about to

 

[mr_human_555]

Create vassal kings, let your vassal taste their own faction revolts

For the mongols, I prefer invading the west using reconquest CB and leave Persia intact until Mongol comes

 

[Malvius]

I crushed the Persians until they can't jihad/invade me again.
Then the Fatimids took over Persia and now they rule in persia.
I weakened(?) them a bit with taking Galilea and Egypt, now they are my
Shield against the Mongols and they aren't strong enough to Jihad me.

Vasall-Kings took a lot of stress of me...
There are nearly no Factions anymore, but if a King-Vasall joins a Faction...
This is the Reason I just formed Bulgaria and Serbia.

 

[XRW]

My strategy is simply not to deal with factions at all. I played as duke of Achaea -> King of Sicily and am still under the Byzantine Empire. I have almost no factions. Currently I'm about 50% of the total realm holdings. Put simply no matter how bad shit gets at least half the empire is still loyal.

I actively help whenever a muslim is winning a jihad or invasion against liege.
Whenever and as often as possible holy war for more muslim land.
Whenever Fatimid or Seljuk is having bad revolts attack.
I prioritized Damietta and Alexandria. Still can't quite get Cairo. Those duchies give the Fatimids the most levies apparently.
I spam bishop vassals. Almost none are dukes.
If a byzantine vassal goes independent they often receive a visit from my chancellor. Once went Nestorian. He didn't last long.
All retinues are cataphract. Seriously having a few THOUSAND of the strongest soldiers is nasty.
My liege actually conquered most of south Italy. I backed a lower crown authority faction to get lower authority. Then I gobbled all the little counts up within a couple years.

 

[unmerged(494787)]

If playing as the Emperor, once you've beaten the Seljuks in the initial war, immediately head west and conquer Venice and (Duchy of) Sicily. Appoint Doges and wait the conquest timers out for some easy cash income. I typically use my retinue to mercilessly pick off revolting states in Italy and the middle east. The target of big wars should be Egypt, though it might not be bad to try and grab Jerusalem from the catholics if they win a crusade for it (hopefully with it not being awarded to the HRE). I generally also make sure to form alliances with Georgia and Abyssinia (more for their protection than mine) so the Cumans and Fatimids can't gobble them up.