[@ClocktowerEchos] Technology now has an effect on me as well. I get only 0,5 technology points from trade and the costs for recruitment and replenishment are doubled for me. I will however start with more technology points in place and if things get really dramatic for me I can receive aid from the non playable Eastern Roman Empire. (Say, all my armies being gone. I can receive money/troops as in real life in order to put up some resistance still.)

I will not have to dribble in upgrading units though because mine all start at the highest level, including when recruited. I will spend all my points on desperately replenishing and trying to recruit troops in areas where it's getting really dangerous. Though it's safe to say that once I have spend my initial banked technology point supply the cracks will quickly start to show.