Byzantium start 1.23

[destroyer008]

Hello everyone.

So I'm trying to get a grip on the new situation for Byzantium.
Many things changed so that in my opinion it got a little harder to achieve victory.
So here are my main problems:

1. Turks attacks much earlier than before.
2. For some weird reason, Turks gives mil. access to Venice when trying to grab Negroponte almost everytime.
3. Trade leagues are a pain in the butt when attacking Venice or The Knights on Rhodes...

So my question is whether you have found a good way to approach things now.

In my first tries I solved the first problem by allying smaller nations ASAP so that Turk doesnt attack directly and I can build up some navy to grab Negroponte.
After that it is a roll with the dice whether the Knights or Venice have good allies. Also when Turks give access to Venice you are basically screwed. Venice will crush your army without hesitation.

Maybe you've got some aces up your sleves and some tips for me how to maximize my chance to win the first war with Turks or at least how to handle things with Venice...

Thanks community

 

[airpirate]

I've found an alliance with Hungary, Albania, and either Wallachia or Serbia is enough to beat the Ottomans head on if you build up your navy. You do have to get lucky an avoid a really early DOW and if Hungary rivals you you're basically dead. Releasing Morea as a vassal and joining Venice's trade league might also be a good strat if Venice isn't a rival, though I haven't tested it.

An early war with Venice doesn't seem like a good idea anymore because you can't get claims day 1 and Ottomans attack much sooner than before.