Playing as Byzantium in Europa Universalis IV version 1.37 is one of the most rewarding and challenging campaigns a player can undertake. Starting with only a handful of provinces and surrounded by powerful enemies like the Ottomans, the Byzantine Empire appears to be on the brink of collapse. However, with careful planning, strategic alliances, and bold moves, you can resurrect the Eastern Roman Empire and reclaim lost territories. This guide will walk you through early survival, expansion strategies, idea choices, and tips for thriving in the late game under patch 1.37.
Understanding Byzantium’s Starting Situation in Patch 1.37
Territorial Overview
Byzantium begins the game with only a few provinces: Constantinople (your capital and strongest province), along with Athens and Morea. You are a vassal overlord of Athens, but this situation is weak compared to the Ottoman giant looming across the Bosphorus. You also have cores on a variety of Greek and Anatolian territories, giving you long-term expansion opportunities if you can survive the early years.
Threats and Opportunities
Your greatest threat is the Ottoman Empire. They vastly outnumber you in troops, economy, and territory. However, they also face potential threats such as the Mamluks, Karaman, Albania, and Hungary, which can be exploited diplomatically. Venice and Hungary can be occasional allies, but don’t expect them to help without careful manipulation.
First Moves: Surviving the Ottomans
Diplomatic Strategy
Securing strong alliances early is critical. Focus on improving relations with Hungary, Poland, and possibly Wallachia or Albania. If Austria rivals the Ottomans, they can become an important ally, though they might be distracted by their own affairs in the Empire. Guaranteeing nations like Albania or Epirus might help you gain favors and increase your diplomatic presence in the region.
No-CB War Options
One strategy that has gained popularity in 1.37 is the no-CB war on Epirus or another minor state. While this gives you an early aggressive expansion penalty, it also opens up more land and troops for the crucial Ottoman war. If you’re bold and confident, this move can tip the balance in your favor.
The Ottomans Must Be Defeated Early
The most important goal is to defeat the Ottomans before 1450 if possible. This usually involves waiting for them to get into a difficult war, such as against Albania and Venice or Karaman and Mamluks. The moment they are distracted, declare war with any allies you’ve secured. Don’t try to fight them alone. Use your navy to block the Bosphorus and trap their armies if possible this tactic is still effective in 1.37.
Rebuilding the Empire: Expansion After Survival
Recovering Greek and Anatolian Cores
After winning your first war against the Ottomans, your top priority should be recovering your cores in the Balkans and western Anatolia. These provinces are relatively high development and are critical for forming a strong economic and military base. Prioritize Constantinople’s development and make sure it’s part of your state territory.
Dealing with Venice
Venice usually holds a few Greek islands and may be a threat or an opportunity. If they’ve been weakened in wars, it may be worth declaring war to take Crete, Corfu, or Naxos. These islands offer naval control and trade power in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
The Balkans and Italy
Once Greece is secured, your expansion should move north and west. Serbia, Bulgaria, Wallachia, and eventually Hungary are ripe for conquest. If the Ottomans are no longer a threat, consider using missions and claims to push into Southern Italy or Dalmatia. Forming strong trade nodes and building your navy is essential here.
Byzantine Missions and Restoration Goals
Using the Mission Tree
Byzantium’s mission tree in 1.37 has several powerful rewards. Completing missions gives claims, permanent modifiers, and helps unlock decisions for restoring the Roman Empire. One of the first missions, Recover Greece, grants claims on the Greek region and unlocks follow-up objectives for Anatolia and the Balkans.
Restoration of the Pentarchy
If you manage to control the five religious centers of the Eastern Christian world (Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem), you can restore the Pentarchy and disable the Catholic Curia mechanic. This powerful religious move grants massive prestige and religious bonuses. However, it requires significant conquest and careful timing.
Reform the Roman Empire
The final goal for many Byzantium players is to reform the Roman Empire. This is a long-term goal that involves reclaiming the historical Roman lands in Italy, Iberia, Gaul, and North Africa. Once achieved, it allows a name change and brings immense prestige and power, representing the ultimate success of your campaign.
Idea Groups and Government Reforms
Best Idea Groups for Byzantium
- Religious Ideas Essential for converting Muslim and Orthodox provinces, and to unlock the powerful Deus Vult casus belli.
- Diplomatic Ideas Helps manage aggressive expansion, improve alliances, and reduce war exhaustion.
- Quantity Ideas Strong choice for manpower and force limit, especially when facing larger nations.
- Administrative Ideas Useful for core creation cost reduction and for managing overextension as you expand.
Government Choices
You start as an Empire, which is a strong government type. Consider reforms that increase governing capacity, military power, or religious unity. If you manage to centralize power and unlock tier 5+ reforms, you can further boost your control over a vast empire.
Managing Religion and Culture
Orthodox Advantage
Orthodox Christianity comes with Patriarch Authority, which grants powerful bonuses like manpower recovery and unrest reduction. Use missionaries wisely and build churches to increase authority. Avoid religious disunity by converting or tolerating other religions carefully.
Cultural Unity
Greek culture is your primary culture, but you will be conquering lands with Turkish, Bulgarian, Serbian, and Arabic cultures. Promoting key cultures or forming cultural unions can help with unrest and production. Use accepted cultures strategically based on your expansion path.
Late Game Goals and Strategy
Become a Global Power
Once the Balkans, Anatolia, and Italy are under your control, Byzantium becomes a major power in the world. You can now focus on colonization (if desired), forming trade companies, or simply steamrolling into India and Egypt. Your economy and military should be on par with or surpass most Western nations.
Facing Western Powers
At some point, you’ll have to deal with France, Spain, or the Commonwealth. Build alliances, maintain a strong navy, and strike when they’re distracted. Using your restored Roman Empire as a base of operations, you can challenge anyone on the map by the late 1600s and beyond.
Playing Byzantium in EU4 version 1.37 is a thrilling, high-risk, high-reward campaign. The opening years are brutally difficult, but with the right planning, tactical execution, and a bit of luck, you can rebuild one of history’s greatest empires. From the shores of the Bosphorus to the gates of Rome, and eventually the deserts of Egypt and the hills of Gaul, the path to glory is long but immensely satisfying. Every victory feels earned, every setback a learning opportunity. If you enjoy strategy, storytelling, and reclaiming lost greatness, there are few campaigns more epic than that of Byzantium in Europa Universalis IV.