The Alexied

[NI_Mcknight]

So playing as good old Al, what is the best way to reclaim the lost land of Byzantium? Is it just through Holy Wars?

 

[Jeltz]

So playing as good old Al, what is the best way to reclaim the lost land of Byzantium? Is it just through Holy Wars?

I have only played it once, but the best way is to holy war Rûm while they are having a civil war or while the Seljuks are busy in another war so they do not arrive to help Rûm.

 

[Voy]

De jure war is always the best, but the Fatimids will DOW the crap out of you anyway.

 

[dorukdorucu]

I have only played it once, but the best way is to holy war Rûm while they are having a civil war or while the Seljuks are busy in another war so they do not arrive to help Rûm.

This, or try to break up either Rum or the Seljuk Sultanate so they aren't ruled by Seljuk's anymore. After that, it's easy to defeat them.

 

[unmerged(424234)]

In one game as Cyprus, I reclaimed everything ERE lost (it lost much more than in The Alexied start) by declaring holy wars. I waited till they were busy (infighting etc) and declared a war. I crushed their armies one by one, took provinces and sued for peace when I got score to 100%. Then I immediately declared war again (taking some prestige hit), because they are very weak right after they lose a war, crushed what little they were able to raise, took counties, sued for peace, declared war, etc... After 4-5 defeats they are ready to sue for peace at some 20%.

 

[Lord Finnish]

First thing to ALWAYS do when you start in 1081 is to ask Armenia Minor to be your vassal. They should accept, at least always have accepted for me.

Then wait a few weeks so Seljuks go to war with some tribe in Georgia. Declare Holy War for Nicaea.

When you win, bunker down. Fatimds are going to come for you soon. Enact levy laws as you can.

Fatimids should bring some 10k troops in two waves. If you beat them both then you will win even though warscore will be low. While waiting for warscore to climb up make preparations for next wars. Disband your levies when you're sure Fatimid armies are gone and save money.

When you win, watch the date. You'll want to know when the truce runs out and Fatimids come at you again.

Once you win, and hopefully get a lot of money, invade all the little duchies around you. Serbia, Apulia, Cherson... Also give out titles and gifts to ensure your vassals love you.

Then just play as usual. Holy War for muslims, dejure and claim pressing on Christians.

 

[unmerged(424234)]

There is absolutely no need to wait for truce to end. Prestige hit is ignorable, and sand people already hate you.

 

[yezhanquan]

There is absolutely no need to wait for truce to end. Prestige hit is ignorable, and sand people already hate you.

This is something to be remembered when not fighting characters of your religion, since the opinion hit is only for other rulers of the target's religion.

 

[KevUK]

First thing to ALWAYS do when you start in 1081 is to ask Armenia Minor to be your vassal. They should accept, at least always have accepted for me.

Then wait a few weeks so Seljuks go to war with some tribe in Georgia. Declare Holy War for Nicaea.

When you win, bunker down. Fatimds are going to come for you soon. Enact levy laws as you can.

Fatimids should bring some 10k troops in two waves. If you beat them both then you will win even though warscore will be low. While waiting for warscore to climb up make preparations for next wars. Disband your levies when you're sure Fatimid armies are gone and save money.

When you win, watch the date. You'll want to know when the truce runs out and Fatimids come at you again.

Once you win, and hopefully get a lot of money, invade all the little duchies around you. Serbia, Apulia, Cherson... Also give out titles and gifts to ensure your vassals love you.

Then just play as usual. Holy War for muslims, dejure and claim pressing on Christians.

This is good advice. I have been playing this game since its release on and off (long break for a while, but recently its all I play), and still am not that good at it. Posts like yours really make me think I am still a newbie despite over 250 hrs into it. Thanks for the tips.

 

[yezhanquan]

ERE is a major difficulty spike compared to Western Europe. Everyone seems to want a piece of you.

 

[Spartanlemur]

Conquer West to get provinces to draw levies from (southern Italy - you can vassalise Naples to start off with). Once you've done that, you can perhaps holy war southern pecheneg fairly easily before making your assault on Rum. I don't normally touch the East for around ten years after the start date.

 

[Shadowkire]

First thing: offer vassalation to the dukes of Armenia Minor and Rashka(Serbia), and the count of naples. All three are Orthodox rulers in your de jure territory so they should agree without much prompting.

Second: Begin a plot to kill the ruler of the Seljuk Sultanate, and never stop. You want them in a constant civil war.

Third: Wait for the Seljuk Sultanate to enter a war and call Rum into it, then attack Rum(Nikea is the best target).

Four: Attack the Fatimids. Target either Damietta or Alexandria, Damietta is the better choice to limit their ability to send armies over water.

Five: Repeat steps 3 and 4 without regard for truces, peppering in some attacks on the pagans in Wallachia and de jure claim grabs on Croatia and Sicily.

If you were fast enough even Abyssinia may still be standing. After both the Fatimids and the Rum Seljuks are gone you should be able to take down the Seljuk Sultanate as long as they stay in constant civil war.