Since Byzantium was a bureaucratic autocracy that used standing armies will it finally be rid of levies?
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And will it finally be rid of the feudal system barely hidden under some bureaucratic-government-mask and truly be centralized yet still interesting to play?
See here: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ves-cadet-branches-and-enhanced-islam.905195/ for how one would make some realms play very non-fudally.
Byzantine is way too easy compared to how it fared in reality. If anything it should be a hard start with alot that can wrong and Little that can go right.
Likewise, I hope that through great effort, normal feudal rulers would also be able to transform their state into a similar system without being Rome or ERE. A shrewdly played ruler can already rule an empire with an iron grip not long after the start of the campaign, and such a transformation would provide a worthy goal to aim for. Moreover, it would help to facilitate China -if- it was to be added.
You sure Byzantium is still in at least ? I remember some dev not liking it, and you all know what happens to thing they dont like....
Military empires should definitely have a non-feudal system but it might be a stretch to get that in at launch. It would certainly be a pleasant surprise, though! 
Not playable at launch or none of the imperial system till a DLC.
Considering that Byzantium is a long-standing fan favourite, I think they would not dare to make it non-playable at launch. I doubt they want to have an Imperator-like score at the release.
Edit: Eradication of repetition
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Totally agree op. Though the later theme system was kinda like feudal levies as they were soldiers tied to the land. Though they always had standing professionals Tagmata and Mercanaries etc
I think you're right. Remember how mad everyone got when they said the Hagia Sophia only became noteworthy when it was turned into a mosque? Paradox Byzantophiles are not to be denied.
It's kinda hard to portray the Byzantine military because it changed so much in the game time period, at times it is ad hoc levies; sometimes mostly theme militas; other times a mix of professional soldier and theme militia; others still, mostly a professional army; in the end basically mercenaries and retinues.
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The thing is, feudal realms were like this too, only differing in degree, with much greater focus on semi-pro peasants and less on standing armies. (Even in realms without any, nobles' would have their garrisons fight in war). Working out a way for things to shift over time would not just benefit Byzantium, but everywhere.
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