I agree with
@Eagle Pursuit
Rome 2: Religious Bugaloo and Greek Robert the Bruce looks awesome, but there’s a lot of faff to get all the bonuses.
First, found a Religion, which is still work even with the extra prophet points, so maybe slower start. EC unit bonus is like the RND free ship, where you’re paying half price and then also deducting the unit cost. Good deal in terms of hammers, but you can’t use Cav production card / mercenaries upgrade and are still using a district slot. You’re already building Holy Sites (that get extra Faith once you found your Religion). You didn’t want that District slot for a Campus or TD or Gold District? Don’t you want Great Generals? Cav v Walls is awesome - but you do have to spread your Religion first.
Holy City thing will be interesting. +3 for your own is handy. Probably need to conquer Holy Cities at least initially. Interesting dynamic. I think a lot will hinge on how strong Basil the Bruce’s Religious Pressure thing is.
No early land UU, but you’re maybe at least +3 after you get your Religion. So, early game seems mostly tame. Strong once you get going, but everyone is sort of. Don’t think Spain has anything to worry about - they do lots of other stuff too, which Byzantium don’t. And whatever, Spain is just fun, and fun is all that matters.
I think they’re strong in SP, but not OP. Really interesting dynamic around capturing Holy Cities. And the beard! When do we get to do a best beard elimination thread? Anyway. Looks like fun.
NFP Civs have all been uniformly amazing.