• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

nestorius

Field Marshal
99 Badges
Jun 25, 2007
2.996
137
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Semper Fi
  • Victoria 2
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • 500k Club
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Rome Gold
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Field Marshal
  • Hearts of Iron IV: No Step Back
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • For the Motherland
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Magicka
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
Ok maybe this has been posted before but how the hell do you survive? I have tried a few tactics ie more catathracts less varangian guard but even then the chance of surviving a battle seems more like luck even when outnumbering them, also they seem to out number me like crazy. Its possible that the changes in 1.08 made it harder though I am unsure as I have never played Byzantium before. Any suggestions? Or should I try a later start?

Georgia never supports me am thinking maybe need to get their support?
 

Isaios

Field Marshal
77 Badges
Dec 19, 2009
4.555
924
  • For The Glory
  • For the Motherland
  • Semper Fi
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Sengoku
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Europa Universalis IV: Pre-order
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Divine Wind
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Crusader Kings Complete
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Victoria 2
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
First get as many vassals as happy as you can, then gather everyone who can pitch a pitchable thing somewhere in central Armenia. Let the Seljuks take a few provinces to whittle them down a bit. Then comes the murderation. It's pretty simple really. Once they're broken, retake you stuff and stay there watching for their reinforcements. Kill them before they combine. Georgia adds nothing materially to your defense. They're tiny.
 

Comm Cody

I am the one who outs
78 Badges
Dec 28, 2010
806
131
www.youtube.com
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Semper Fi
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • For the Motherland
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Deus Vult
  • Darkest Hour
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Cities: Skylines - Mass Transit
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Surviving Mars: Digital Deluxe Edition
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Cities: Skylines Industries
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Victoria 2
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • War of the Roses
  • 500k Club
  • Surviving Mars
Fabian Strategy.

Wear them down with attrition and shadow them. Do not attack them, let them attack you. If you can't get them to attack, hold on to your holdings. Whatever you do, do not give up hope. You can beat them


And then get your ass kicked by a double jihad for Greece and Armenia. Happened to me before.
 

ZechsMerquise73

Field Marshal
78 Badges
Sep 3, 2009
3.671
390
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • 500k Club
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Magicka: Wizard Wars Founder Wizard
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Surviving Mars
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Cities: Skylines - After Dark
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Stellaris
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Shadowrun Returns
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Crusader Kings III: Royal Edition
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
  • Age of Wonders II
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Surviving Mars: First Colony Edition
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Surviving Mars: Digital Deluxe Edition
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Prison Architect
  • Teleglitch: Die More Edition
  • Victoria 2
You don't have to win. You can make up a lot more territory by quickly surrendering to them, then pushing into Europe. If you insist on beating them, though, I'd suggest using the mountains, rivers, and streams. Wait them out. The AI runs out of steam easily. Stack when they're split and split to bait when they're stacked.
 

Hackworthy

Ze Übermensch!
31 Badges
Dec 6, 2011
1.444
121
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Rome Gold
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • March of the Eagles
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • 500k Club
  • War of the Roses
  • Victoria 2
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
I've only played 1066 start as Byzantines once and I just beat them in a head-to-head battle. Got lucky I guess but they were crushed in Armenia Minor and I just whittled them down to nothing and then started sacking border settlements.
 

delra

Master of Orion
34 Badges
Jan 27, 2008
26.138
543
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Victoria 2
Look at rivers, know your rivers. Last time I played I got them in Lykandos, but had to attack through Adana making quite a trip around their army to choose the right direction. Look at terrain, sometimes you can get them in a flatter province. Pick best commanders you can, not the ones game gives you. Let the Turks siege and assault, it'll wear them down considerably, don't rush the battle. Remember your goal is protecting the empire, so don't venture outside your borders initially. You have more manpower and more gold than they do - if the war drags too long, you will be able to afford some strong mercenaries. Keep mobilizing and merging new troops. Retaking what he took after his army is dealt with will not be a big problem, so do not surrender. More armies will come, but once you get on top of things your stack will always be bigger than his, just don't attack across rivers and you should be fine.

Also, I much prefer the Alexiad start, when the deed is done and there's Rum on the map. Much more entertaining to gather the fallen empire together than to try to hold Doukas empire together.
 

Ryasyr

Major
77 Badges
Jul 6, 2011
592
0
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Edition
  • Magicka
  • March of the Eagles
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Sengoku
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Europa Universalis IV: Third Rome
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Darkest Hour
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Divine Wind
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • 500k Club
  • War of the Roses
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Victoria 2
  • Teleglitch: Die More Edition
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis IV
Ok maybe this has been posted before but how the hell do you survive? I have tried a few tactics ie more catathracts less varangian guard but even then the chance of surviving a battle seems more like luck even when outnumbering them, also they seem to out number me like crazy. Its possible that the changes in 1.08 made it harder though I am unsure as I have never played Byzantium before. Any suggestions? Or should I try a later start?

Georgia never supports me am thinking maybe need to get their support?

Sadly you dont. You start out with half as many troops, And not enough money and titles to make your Vassals happy. Your best hope is to try to kill Alp Alrshan. When They win the lands will shatter like Glass and you can mop up the mess. Of course theres still the Dual Jihads, the true Dual Jihads, The ilkhanate, The Golden horde, The Timmys, And possibly the Azteks to worry about.
 

unmerged(446544)

Recruit
27 Badges
Feb 8, 2012
8
0
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Victoria 2
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III: Chronicles
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
I've only played 1066 start as Byzantines once and I just beat them in a head-to-head battle. Got lucky I guess but they were crushed in Armenia Minor and I just whittled them down to nothing and then started sacking border settlements.

Fabian Strategy.

Wear them down with attrition and shadow them. Do not attack them, let them attack you. If you can't get them to attack, hold on to your holdings. Whatever you do, do not give up hope. You can beat them


And then get your ass kicked by a double jihad for Greece and Armenia. Happened to me before.

Beat them this way, it's not very hard as long as you never ever attack them in the mountains.
When I did I lost quite a few holdings at the beginning as they were assaulting everything but doing so they suffered heavy losses. I waited in Armenia minor and they headed straight for my army and were almost completely annihilated. I took back my holdings and it was enough to ask for a white peace. I took a few of their holdings and bam! I won the war.
 

Shadowkire

Second Lieutenant
78 Badges
Apr 27, 2012
168
3
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Warlock 2: The Exiled
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Magicka
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Impire
  • Stellaris
  • Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Shadowrun Returns
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Together for Victory
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Crusader Kings Complete
  • Age of Wonders III
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Shadowrun: Hong Kong
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Imperator: Rome - Magna Graecia
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Hearts of Iron IV: La Resistance
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall - Revelations
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • 500k Club
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
I park half of my forces in Teluch, in Armenia Minor(this half is from eastern Greece, Anatolia, and Armenia), and the other half on boats(this half is from western Greece + islands and Bulgaria).

The AI will take a county or two before making a run at your forces in Teluch, make sure you have good generals leading your troops. When they attack it will be over a river and into mountains, giving them a penalty and you a bonus. When the battle starts send the forces on the boats to join in. You should win that fight, so use your army to chase down theirs until it is nearly wiped out(<2000 left) then take back whatever holdings you lost. Don't finish off the enemy army completely until it is the only thing you can do to increase your war score, the AI won't dismiss the levies in it and re-raise whatever new recruits are waiting in it's territory.

[edit]
If you can make them surrender you will get a lot of money, bankrupting the Seljuks for years, and usually the emirs in de jure Armenia, Syria, and northwestern Mesopotamia will become independent, making great targets for quick expansion.

And for the Fatimids: try to get an alliance with the king of Abyssinia, when he calls for your help in repelling the inevitable invasion hit them hard. If you can take their holdings faster than they can take Abyssinia's you may be able to get them to surrender to your ally, bankrupting them enough to make them vulnerable to your own attacks.
 
Last edited:

Cidellus

First Lieutenant
93 Badges
Feb 17, 2011
201
79
  • Pillars of Eternity
  • Warlock: Master of the Arcane
  • Rome: Vae Victis
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • 500k Club
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
  • Europa Universalis 4: Emperor
  • Sengoku
  • Victoria 2
  • War of the Roses
  • Crusader Kings II: Monks and Mystics
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Age of Wonders: Planetfall
  • Crusader Kings II: Conclave
  • Europa Universalis IV: Golden Century
  • Stellaris
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Crusader Kings Complete
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Tyranny - Bastards Wound
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cradle of Civilization
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rule Britannia
  • Cities: Skylines - Parklife
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
  • Prison Architect
  • BATTLETECH
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Crusader Kings II: Reapers Due
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
Yeah, what a lot of people have said here is good advice. Also, don't forget about the Varangians. The extra three-thousand troops they give can really help out. NEVER attack Alp Arslan. Let him attack you, and the Doux of Trebizond is always a good choice for leading your army. Romanos Diogenes is no slouch either, though there are typically more capable generals sitting around.

Never let any of the Doukas idiots near an army, though. Failure follows them like the plague.