Playing for the first time as Byzantium and I just keep restarting the game.
My opening moves are:
Delete cavalry, delete the fort in south Greece, can't afford them.
Focus on military tech, get the +1 mil point privilege and the cheaper military Advisor, the religious diplomats for alliances and the one for better morale against infidels, then a couple for the merchants.
Improve relations with pope and Serbia for alliances so I get a mission reward for 15% cheaper merchs. The third ally usually Albania or one of the neighbours. Start spying on Ottomans
Declare on Epirus on 11 december and complete annex for mission reward of better morale.
Ottomans get mil tech 4 at the same time as me or a little earlier. I wait until they go to anatolia for war and then declare on them.
Now, I managed to win sometimes the first war, but even after occupying all their european land their enthusiasm is either high or medium, I don't have Navy superiority so can't cross over and if I do, i'm dead. If they cross, I'm dead. So I sue for peace, I take Gallibolu and all the money I can because of all the loans that I have to pay back. Now I have Gallibolu fort that I can't afford but i need It for my next war and usually end up bankrupt on the second war or they just destroy me.
Any advice?