The New World) or after a certain event (eg.
It is highly likely that you will be fighting a desperate fight to maintain all those territories, especially if Novgorod or Poland decide to join in the fun. Lithuania are in between the two and the most serious threat to your holdings. The Teutonic Order have two separate territories: one in Livonia (modern-day Estonia) and the other in their heartland of Prussia.
For instance, you will need over 90% Catholicism in a region before it can recruit Ritterbruder (assuming a castle is in the region). Recruitment of units also depends on the level of Catholic belief. Thanks to the perilous starting position, your economy will not be given much time to develop the funds required to turn out the elite units. They have a good blend of infantry & cavalry with a few catches. There’s no subtlety or trickery required as brute force is the forte of the Teutonic Order. The Teutonic Knights strike fear into the hearts of their enemies with an awesome array of units.