~Whats your favourite faction?~

[Arn de Gothia]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif I just have to see how you people prefere to play...(=

My favourite is http://www.angelfire.com/games4/mtw/factions/france2.jpgFrance, with http://www.angelfire.com/games4/mtw/factions/england2.jpgEngland, http://www.angelfire.com/games4/mtw/factions/spain2.jpgSpain and http://www.angelfire.com/games4/mtw/factions/italy2.jpgItaly as the next in line... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Yours,
ARN http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif

[Basileus]

vive le france hehe

[lancer63]

The Danes, the Poles or the Turks. I play the English and the Spanish a little less. Trying out the Italians now.

[Longshanks]

I like the English, HRE is probably my second choice.

[Alrowan]

all of them are fun to play, but i had to vote the danes russians and co.. 3 is tops

[Pablo Sanchez]

I almost always play as either the Almohads or the Byzantines, for the excellent unique units in Early.

[alman9898]

if i can get it to work then the scots would prob be my fav. i'm still workin on it. read my post MOD HELP please and do post advice if u can.

oh yeah my fav now-italians (i stink at this game though http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif still love it anyways http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Tyrac]

Novgorod. Boyars, Early= love

[ICantSpellDawg]

i play them ALL

[Nobunaga0611]

English for no particular reason. Kerns help though http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Aleborg]

Well, im not very original, true.

Anyhow, spain is a nice faction in MTW, not so easy and very funny imo.


http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[The Dragon]

the turks mainly because of the JHI http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Tempiic]

Turks and Egyptians would be my most favourite ones

Followed by Russians, Danes and Poles

Started to have lots of fun with my 3 byz inf + 1 var guard byzantine army (not telling what rest of my troops are http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif) so that one might get favourite status soon as well.

[Xicote]

I voted for almohads. I mainly play the arab factions and especially almos.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

The English, partly for Longbowmen and partly because I can say 'Once more into the breach dear friends, once more. Or we'll fill up the wall with our English dead' when battle is joined.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Vlad The Impaler]

if u are talkin about SP that would be my choices:
1.Poland for the challenge
2.France and Otomans fot the fun

[Maniac]

I go for Byzantine Empire. They have quite a lot of unique units and the play with them varies so much in different eras. It's so much fun.

[Gregoshi]

Hi Maniac. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Welcome to the Entrance Hall.

I really like that picture in your sig. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif I did notice that the file size is larger than our guidelines allow. Would you mind reducing the file size to 10k? The dimensions of the picture are fine. And I do like that picture.

[Maniac]

Thanks for the welcome, Gregoshi http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

The picture is now around 11kb. I hope it's ok?

P.S.That pic is the logo of a message board where I am a moderator. Right now I am starting a Medieval: Total War free-form roleplay. Please visit us if you're interested http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif [end of commercial]

[Monk]

Had to say Byzantine. trying to rebuild the Roman Empire is fun

[Arrowmaker]

Quote[/b] (Maniac @ Feb. 15 2003,09:12)]I go for Byzantine Empire. They have quite a lot of unique units and the play with them varies so much in different eras. It's so much fun.
I couldn't agree more
and there is not meddling Pope to worry about

I appreciated the authenticity of the Pope but it sure get in the way (I realise that's the point&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif and other pc controlled factions seem not to suffer his wrath. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Thon]

my fav are the byzantines, in the early period they can easily dominate, the western powers don't have a whole lot that can clash with Varangians.

[Heraclius]

I voted Byzantines for their reliable infantry, great Varangians, unsmashable heavy cavalry and great archers (at least on foot)

[PoLsKa_HuSaRiA]

Voted Poland for the general difficulty associated with taking them to the top and for great postition in the Early period where you can quickly conquer nearby rebels and beat up the russians http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif (no offence to Russians implied http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

[cpgfan]

weird http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif no one likes egpyptian? they are one of the easiest faction with quite a few unique units, is that because they are too easy?, or else...

[youandwhosarmy]

The Swiss (when edited in) are really cool. Swiss elite armoured pikemen are amazing http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Lechev]

I would prefer Danish.. lots of ground to expand and i would normally like to build up an empire from scratch. I am trying out Poland and the Turks next http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[redrooster]

if the mongols were playable, i'm sure it will be them

[Knight_Yellow]

right now the english cos they get highlanders gallows and holibars, but in may its gonna be the scotts or the picts (prob scotts)

[crushinator]

Italians. Unite the penisula and TRADE, TRADE, TRADE

[Casca]

For me the Byzantines are a no brainer, but I don't subscribe to the whole Byz. idea they are actually the East Roman Empire.

[Demon of Light]

Danes: I like names like Sweyn Forkbeard. You know you exist in Medieval times when your Duke of Pomerania is called Lord Bluetooth

[Nowake]

I prefer the byzantines ... think maybe because we share the same religion ... The fact is that they saw their mission as enlightening the barbarians ... They ruled quite justly and efficient ...

Of course, I'd love playing as the mongols, but not being able to create at least emissaries, ships and all that ... well, it's too frustrating http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Dîn-Heru]

I chose Denmark. Probably because they are the closest thing to a norwegian faction you can play. And of course because of the vikings. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif

[Dimeola]

For battle I prefer the Germans....for campaign I am fond of Denmark. I ally with the Germans and English and build a sea empire, advance as fast as I can, and move to the east.
Dimeolas

[USMCNJ]

HRE all the way, especially expert on late. It's actually a fun. Germany has many borders to protect and the provinces just don't provide enought money for the task. Plus you get the Gothic Kights, and Switzerland is so close.

[Gazza the Lionheart]

At the moment im trying to complete the game as each faction but so far im still playing as the Almohads. But my favourite from all the games i've never actually finished would probably have to be the English.

[wordsmith]

Im simply amazed at the small amount of votes for muslim factions. Although i play catholic factions more its because they have a more challenging location with many more neighbors nearby, but the muslim factions definantly have the better units imho.

[Galestrum]

could be the cultural divide, i must admit i have barley touched any of the muslim factions as of yet, though i have been eyeing the moors pretty strong lately, a big part for me is i have a hard time role playing or getting into the spirit of the islamic factions (cept maybe the moors), plus i dont like the idea of the desert style combat of the turks, its neat in principle, but i do not like having to micromanage 5-6 units of horse archers

[Galestrum]

on a side note, if there was a dark ages campaign i would have played the initial islamic rush against the byzantines and persian empire as well as against visigothic spain

[Heraclius]

Quote[/b] (Galestrum @ Mar. 11 2003,15:44)]could be the cultural divide, i must admit i have barley touched any of the muslim factions as of yet, though i have been eyeing the moors pretty strong lately, a big part for me is i have a hard time role playing or getting into the spirit of the islamic factions (cept maybe the moors), plus i dont like the idea of the desert style combat of the turks, its neat in principle, but i do not like having to micromanage 5-6 units of horse archers
same. No matter what my ancestors would say I would like to give the Turks a shot but the micro-managing of horse archers, making sure they don't get steam-rolled by kats etc, is just too daunting a task. I think I'll just stick with the Byzantines, laugh and crush the Turks instead.

[HalfDone]

England all the way because its a great military position http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[LRossaLordJimi]

In SP i like Italian faction,because of his strategic position,his possibilty to develop trade and the skillness of units (and of course a little bit of nationalism http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )
In MP depens on wich era i play,so i like choose High era and Germans or also Italians,with their tank-infantry Gothic foot knights http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Ave

[ShadesWolf]

England, Byzans then followed by Almohad or Turks

I NEVER play as France or Russia

[Deke]

I was torn between the Byzantines, the Spanish and the English.

Byzantium was great; in fact, it restored my faith in the game and got me playing it again. However, I think they're a tad overpowered, what with the Kataphraktoi and Varangian Guard, not to mention the five or six royal-blooded-uber-generals that you can have access to within fairly short order.

The Spanish and English were just as fun, though certainly more of a challenge, the Spanish especially. All three were great, but I'd have to say the English, overall, because they're a bit of a challenge, I suppose, and have some super-cool units.

[Gregoshi]

Hello Deke. Thanks for tearing yourself away from the game long enough to join us. See ya around the forum. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Heraclius]

Quote[/b] (Deke @ Mar. 14 2003,18:37)]Byzantium was great; in fact, it restored my faith in the game and got me playing it again. However, I think they're a tad overpowered, what with the Kataphraktoi and Varangian Guard, not to mention the five or six royal-blooded-uber-generals that you can have access to within fairly short order.
but all us true Greeks know that's the way it really was. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif it appears my unrelenting nationalism is becoming something of a problem. hmmmmm. anyway welcome to the org, Deke http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif gregoshi isn't the only one who can wave you know http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Znake]

England because of their unit selection and position on map.
Spanish or Almo if u wanna fight right away in start of a campaign.
In MP i will say Germans,Egypts,Turks,English,and France for their nice Tucopoles.
I played byz so much in beginning so i'm a bit tired of them right now http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Zoizoi]

Spanish When almo is kicked to africa, you can start crusades in peace and when the crusades conquer some areas, it's so much fun to try organize those colonies http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Aelwyn]

I have got to say that I play England the most. For one, they're not what many people consider a 'cheap' faction, like Spain or Byzantine. I like them because I can use them in any Era, almost any weather, and pretty much any type of army. They have skirmishers (Kerns) which only one other faction has, but they don't have Horse Archers, which I wish they did, but I understand why they don't. If, in fact they did have H.A. , I think they would be the best all around faction available, as they have distinct anti-cav units, good enough infantry units, versatile cav units, and also unique units. So they're definitely the faction I choose the most.

Although....if the Turkish had Arbs....then they would be my favorite. Can't wait until Pavs get moved to the late period.

[Praylak]

It's a hard one for me. Egypt and the Turks tied, but I leaned towards the Turks. Mamelukes and Nizaris rock, and are probably my favorite units. Now that I think about it, I wish I could void my vote. Really I have about five favorite factions and I dig them equally. Oh well it's not a scientific poll anyway.

[whiskeyjack]

my favourite faction has to be the spainish, they rock. there're a nice mix of tough and easy. its always a laugh taking on the almohads and the french at the same time.

[t1mmie]

my favorite is the english, cause they get a decent amount of unique units. i like to use kerns and highlanders early on, and eventually gallows and the fabled long bow. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

i be n00b btw.

[Goatus Maximus]

I'm really enjoying playing the Italians right now...pretty decent challenge. I also like playing the Danes...

[Div Hunter]

Turks just 'cause they are a lot of fun but I really havn't played enough of every faction to make an informed choice http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Lord Of Storms]

I voted for the HRE I like the units and it is a challenging starting postion with a lot of fronts , so diplomacy plays a big part, secondly I would have to say Egyptians solid financial empire easy to play...

[Morten viking]

Quote[/b] (Dîn-Heru @ Mar. 06 2003,14:41)]I chose Denmark. Probably because they are the closest thing to a norwegian faction you can play. And of course because of the vikings. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif
Same for me. Especially early one, I love to take England back http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ChaosLord]

I'd say Spain, its my favorite battlefield and the Jinettes are pretty useful. After them would be Denmark and England. Lately i've been having fun with the Aragonese though using the MedMod, they've got an interesting start to work with and have to pick sides in 2 conflicts(England-France and Spanish-Almohad).

[Blackball]

I'd have to go with the Russians, even though I feel they're grossly misrepresented and highly, highly boring due to the mind-numbing lack of variety. I'm hoping the new units they get from VI will help with this - druzhina cavalry, and I also heard rumors of (yet) another spear unit?

Being a Russian Studies major and dating a Russian girl probably have something to do with that, though.

Most of the time I play the Danes, because though I like the HRE, I can't ever get them sufficiently off the ground. I can slowly expand, but I never do well enough with them to make any significant progress. The Danes seem like a good alternate.

[Gregoshi]

Greetings and welcome to the Org Blackball. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Funny how life experiences affect our gaming habits. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

[ShadesPanther]

i really like the turks and the byzies but i would learn more to the turks because of their jannies and maybe because you can choose who to attack first http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif
but it is very hard to choose.......definatly the turks for their uniqueness to the other factions

[insolent1]

Turks cause i love makin the kat tanks chase my turcoman horse(they r great for luring units into ambushs)....after that egyptian for the mamluks

[ABG]

Russians got my vote.


Boyars to the power

[Kensai Achilles]

I vote for the rebels, cuz i won't need to worry about.... guess what ?? ... rebels http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

try .conan. u might like it. SAVE FIRST http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Crackslapper]

I always used to play Spanish, lately I'm trying to develop me German skills. I like the Swiss Halbs for their imprved morale and the mounted crossbow. But when all is said and done Lancers just rock.

[HindSight2020]

I started out playing the English. I got tired of being excommunicated, so I turned to the Byzantines. They are so close to the high florin provinces of the Turks and the Egyptians. Then I tried the Egyptians. They were pretty cool. I would recommend that newbies start with the Egyptians. It is easy to march right across northern Africa. But I've played them all at least once. I've just started a Spanish game that I've been emailing to another player. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Shahed]

Turks are fun even after accounting for vague historical accuracy.

http://www.theottomans.org/english/images/history/122.gif



http://www.theottomans.org/english/images/campaigns/yeniceri2.gif



http://www.theottomans.org/english/images/campaigns/yeni12.gif


http://www.theottomans.org/english/images/campaigns/yeni15.gif


http://www.theottomans.org/english/images/history/108.gif

[Lord Godfrey]

English because I know their history and they have s few unique units (longbow and billmen) that I enjoy. Recently started Polish campaign for a new experience, may start a Biz campaign next for a totally new experience

[Jeff]

Right now I'd have to say Spain is my fav, followed closely by the Egyptians and Turks. England is ok and I do like the uber-Generals you get with the Byz, but I think Spain is the most fun so far, for me anyway.

[Surprise]

One word... Nizaris http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/redface.gif

[redrooster]

Turks or byzantines. love to roleplay as an opulant constantinople tyrant.
But fav unit would be the Lancers

[redrooster]

Oh and if i play as a Catholic nation my fav is Italians because of their proximity to the Pope. My first moves include subjucating the papal throne and putting the popes head on a stake

[Tiwaz]

Byzantines. No pope to bother and lots of nice princesses to go around.

And units are great. Nothing like watching enemy crumble in front of charging Kataphraktoi...

One to come from the front, one from left flank and one from right... (quite rare to happen but when it does...)

[Dogmeat]

The English, good old billmen, legendary bowmen, and the ability to win the 100 years war in about 8 years.

other faves: the byzans and the danes. Dunno why.

[Richard the Lionheart]

Germans, they have a good starting empire, France can fall easily straight away, while you can concentrate on taking the rebel states. And the other catholics won't touch you for fear of excommunication

[Stormer]

England of corse they get the best units, billman, longbows, gallowglasses, kerns, knight templars

[MiloMoria]

Almohad or England.

[The_Emperor]

England all the way for me, (well I like playing my country, but they also have a great position to expand from if France and Norway can be taken)

France seems to have invade me please written all over it

[pilot]

Viva Italia

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ProfDanelaw]

I like the Danes, and I really couldn't tell you why except that they appeal to my inner Norsman.

[Gregoshi]

Hello ProfDanelaw. Thanks for signing on. There is nothing wrong with you reason for liking the Danes. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[shadowstrife911]

I love playing the Danes.

Its fun to mimic their RL style by building huge sea routes and having scores of Vikings invade coastal provinces. Whenever

[ProfDanelaw]

Yeah, shadowstrife, that's my main source of florins in most of my campaigns. I think the game manual calls it the smash and grab technique in the Hints section. I just get a few longboats in coastal waters down to the Straits of Gibraltar and start raiding Almohad cities with my Vikings and destroying the buildings for money.

[shadowstrife911]

Yes, usually using that tactic. You can aquire enough training facilities and florins to prepare for an invasion of Germany. I find that it totally compensates for the Danes small starting territory.

[Lord_PH]

italians then english, almos and egyptians

[Degtyarev14.5]

Hungarians.

A.

[The Witch-King]

Hmmmm, my favourites are the Byzantines (althoguh I find them to be somewhat overpowered, making the game too easy and because of that less fun)

HRE is another favourite of mine. Large empire, many borders and interesting units http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif.

[TheSilverKnight]

England. I modified the text files to give my Kings custom names, and I had a James I, James II, James III, and James IV. I've had a Charles I, Charles II, Charles III (of the Irish Line, 3rd cousin of King Charles II), Charles IV, and Charles V.
I have had a George I, and George II.
I have managed to conquer Europe as England and become the King of a united Europe. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif It is quite fun. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kawligia]

I like playing the minor factions. Particularly the Swiss and the Papacy.

...unfortunately the Pope needs some work. Apparantly they can't build Chivalric Men-at-Arms or Segeants. I'm gonna have to create some Papal Guards or something.

[Duraz_asks]

no efence but this poll is null invoid england is in the lead and i hardly ever see someone use them

[Longasc]

I started the game with Byzantium in Early Age.

Later I discovered the added possibilities of High and Late Eras and played the HRE a lot.

[The_Emperor]

Looks like the Turks are everyone's fave Muslim Faction... Why is this? I mean they always get a real rough time starting out

never been them myself but I hear thye have some good units.

[Vacuity]

I love the turks mainly *because* they have such a tough starting position. It's a fantastic challenge to batter your way through those well led armies of Kats, Varangian Guards and Byz Infantry with just armenian heavy, horse archers, vanilla spearmen and your first coupla units of Saracens and Muwahid. Horribly difficult, but great fun. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Prince Lom]

1) England What else could an Englishman prefer? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Now I can follow in the steps of my country's football fans when I send armies abroad to loot and pillage http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Longbowmen are a great unit, and I love Knights too (not that Knights are exclusive to the English of course).

2) The Turkish. So many unique and interesting units, including the formidable Janissaries. I like the unusual tactics that you need to use when battling as the Turks.

3) The Danish (VI). Access to the Viking units is cool, even if it is only for Early period and in the Scandinavian provinces.


There aren't any Factions that I don't like. They all have their good sides

[thrawn]

the DANES FOR SURE. I love vikings and norsemen - such badasses
esp. in EARLY
then the english or french...

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

England are great,also byzantines are good in all periods. Turks,Egyptians and Almohads i like them. Lets not forget Aragon and Spain. Italians and Scillians are strong....hell i love them all

Top 3 favs are:
1/ England
2/ Turks
3/ Either Swiss or Byzantium

[Lord Hotte]

Moin Moin,

I love the Danish dynamite - Viking Huskarles forever http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Greetings from Germany

Lord Hotte

[Brown Wolf]

I would not recommend the danes. Though the new early units are great (especially when the HRE decides to take the area http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif ), the units disappear to soon and Denamrk never has any money.

[Qilue]

Danes. The Baltic and Scandinavia contains more concentrated trade wealth than any other region. The pope also seems to take no notice of your border moving south to Saxony. Sadly, no such blind spot exists in Britain.

Kawligia - Have you considered Swiss halberdiers? I'm not sure when they started guarding the Vatican though.

[Balamir]

England. Not because they rock not because they are easy just because they have the most variable army with billmen longbows kerns gallowglases and all the others..

I have to agree with Qilue on the advantages of the Danes, if you are a new to the game, playing as the Danes make it easier to learn how to build up your provinces and your army.

However – I have to go with the English as my favorite. There is just something about a line of Longbowmen mowing down the French that invokes images of Brenaugh’s Henry V.

[Fortebraccio]

I'm especially fond of the Hungarians, their selection of units is very interesting to play with and add some flavour to eastern europe warfare. My second favourite is the Italian faction, (apart from being utterly
non-historical) but I'm biased here. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[rolin]

In my 1.1 game I prefer the English Side, 'cause of I like the Longbowmen and the Hippenträger (have no idea what are they in English)

In my VI campaigns I prefere the HRE, simply of I hate it to have quit because of my royal line dies out. The HRE ist the only side not need to be worried about the 56 bug.

[mosborne]

My vote was for the Rus, because they are entirley different from anything I knew. I started with the Western Euro armies (Fr, Eng, Sp, HRE) and traditional knight-based tactics, but have found lately that I enjoy the Turks and Rus most. The attraction for me is the challenge of mastering an entirely different military system and fighting style, based on light cavalry & cav archers. It certainly didn't go well early, when I still used western tactics, but with eastern units. With the Rus, I am now campaigning more successfully than ever, with almost entirely cav armies. With the VI mods, the Mongols seemed to get even more fierce, and that meant an even greater challenge in playing the Rus, trying to figure out how to stop the Mongol Hordes.

[Fragony]

Depends on the period, in early I love Alhomads and Hungarians. In high period england all the way. In late period germans, gothic knights are the best anti-cav imo.

[Pitt_Slayer]

has to be byz in early\high, the vanguard are the unsurpassed shock troops of any faction or era.

Late would be english or spainish (this for MP)
as for campian http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif english

[Si GeeNa]

The Egyptians have one of the most lightweight and hardest hitting units in the game, Nizaris. They basically flit around the battlefield but can really pack a punch with their arrows and melee. Their Mamluke HA are also one of the better HA you can find in the game. Generally, a more fun faction with light units than most lumbering Western units.

[Alexander the Great]

Quote[/b] (ArseClown @ July 20 2003,07:03)]Hungarians.

A.
I agree with you man. H U N G A R I A N S http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ROCK

They are great to play with.They're in the middle of the world and you can do almost anything with them.You can choose from many rebel provinces to take and you can have the option of fighting against anyone you like,ally with anyone you like and even tradeThey have some great units of their own like Szekely and they are the ones that gave me the greatest fun to play with.
I object that they aren't votable in this POLL.
Subsequently we cannot come to safe conclusions.
Thanks.

[PrinceApple]

In MP 15k I try to play as all factions, except sicilians 'cause they just plain suck. Englsh are the best for variety of units, but truthfully what's the point of a variety of units when everybody just uses miltias, cmaa, fmaa with heavy cav.

In 5k the factions are much more evenly matched.

[LestaT]

as a whole i the italians. but english longbowmen are my prefered unit for missiles. for missile cav i like the mamluk horse archers than the european crossbow cav...

[mandt]

English

I like the whole starting on an island problem. I also like the fact that being on an island forces you to devote significant energy to controling the seas.

[Bevan of Hertfordshire]

I like England, cos they are english, plus longbowmen have won be the jammiest battles in the world http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[bighairyman]

no one mentioned the mongols, nothing beats the thundering sound of thousands of mongols heavy cavlalry charging with some arrows form mongol hors earchers, then the sound of panic among the enemy soldiers, then the sound of death, men screaming, runing away, ecuting, then the burn of the buildings, then the music of victory. god i love this game.


ps. does anyone know why i can't put emotions in my post?

[Dragon2003]

Woo England, because i um... live here

[hellenes]

BYZANTIUM GLORY TO THE ETERNAL EMPIRE
Although i like the russians also for the challenge (horde http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ).http://images.flagspot.net/g/gr_ortdx.gif

[Archlight]

I like playing the English, but I also enjoy playing the Muslim factions too. Byzantium always seems to grow HUGE though. I haven't played as them yet...

Also, how do you play as the Russians in Campaign? I don't see it as an option. Is there a Mod for it somewhere?

[Scipio]

Got to be Brit or italy or byzan.

[-Isapostolos-]

Quote[/b] (hellenes @ Sep. 15 2003,13:08)]BYZANTIUM GLORY TO THE ETERNAL EMPIRE
Although i like the russians also for the challenge (horde http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ).http://images.flagspot.net/g/gr_ortdx.gif
I think ill agree with that: Glory to the Greek Empire

Btw hellenes, thats the flag of the rhomanoi right (not sure since it looks kinda russian)?

[hellenes]

The fleg is the original flag of the EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE wich changed the roman eagle to two headed symbolising the eastern and western domination of the empire the russians have taken the symbol AFTER the fall of costandinople in 1453 thus many byzantines fled to russian and moscow became the 3rd rome...

Why the devs made it the russian symbol remains a mystery to me... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[kiwitt]

I play the Spanish. With Castille and Leon, you can get +4 Armour +4 Sword and Lancers.

However, the Lancers (+4/+4) are just so powerful, you just need to drop a few in a province and the enemy routs.

I leave a few solid forces to hold the siege and then move the lancers on to the next province.

[Ashen]

Mine actually happens to be Denmark, Russia, Hungary, poland and Aragon. All offer a lot of difficulty, but you can win, even on expert. so I went for the last option http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[danielrech]

Well since Brazil isn't a part of the game, I would say the HRE because my family has german roots... Ah, and the gothic knights

[Voigtkampf]

Das Heilige Romische Reich des Deutschen Volkes… Though it's more of a love/hate relationship, because I always have the greatest difficulties with that faction, even when they start with maximum armies and so on…

[avarin]

I like to play as the Italians. I like money, give me those florins man I've broke 1M by 1350 several times. The Doge rules And its a good spot, they can rush to El Papa Nostre's help when the Sicilians attack, with the aid of Genoese Sailors and Italian Infantry, which are awesome early period troops. The only downside is that every backward strawhead crusader comes marching through Venice and cleans out half my army on the way to Tripoli http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif.

Avarin

[Ja'chyra]

I like the byzies, the troops are great and fit in well with my style of fighting

[Sun Tzui]

1-Byzantine (restauring the Roman Empire and all that)

2-Spanish/Aragonese (In the lack of a Portuguese faction)

3-English (an Island Fortress)

4-Danes (Vikings-though unable to launch a crusade, at least i never could...)

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[HawaiianHobbit]

My favorite is Turkey wit italy as a close second.

[The_678]

The Danes 'cuz I love the different Vikings in Early

[Gawain of Orkeny]

My favorite is Hungary but its not listed

[altti]

It is either early turks or late almohads. Probaply the best two challenges in the game.

[Basileus]

seem slike we have lots of brits at the org hehe

[Selborne]

My favorite is definitely England, not only in M:TW, but also in all games I've played where the game board is a map of Europe (e.g., Diplomacy, Europa Universalis, etc). Not entirely sure why; I'm not even English I guess I like the defensive advantage of starting out on the Isles, and I also tend to prefer powers with strong navies.

Ok, I'll admit it. The English built the empire upon which the sun never set That's what I want Yeah

[Gregoshi]

Welcome to the Org Selborne. You'll be happy to know that the sun never set on the Org either. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-thumbsup.gif

[_Hector_]

for the last couple of weeks i have been playing the french. I like the english and then the spanish.

[MuseRulez]

My favourite faction are the Turks because of the Jannisaries, The English for the Longbow and the Danish for no reason

[Great Khan]

My favourite are the Turks in early because of the challenge - gotta deal with the mighty Byzantines, then Egypt and those franks. I like the French too when playing GA. Finally the Danes and their awesome Vikings

[Gen_Lee]

Strange i dont see in the poll the Sicilians, the only 1 I played till now and was succeded.
Im strugling with Aragon all this weekend, but I'm far from sucess, as Spain and england keep atacking Me after the french disapeared.
I cant make enough money to build ships in order to make a profitable trade route, I cant make armies of good value as as soon as I start to build a fortess I'm atacked.
I manage to get Castilla and Valencia from Spain, but couldnt defeat them in Granada on auto(damn game keeps on cdt afer end of battle, wich i won, in manual), and that is the end for Me, as after I'm atacked by Spain from south and England from north, even having aliances with them.
Guess that I'll try the English tonight
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif

[PseRamesses]

Well, voted for Byzantium but I have most fun with the Vikings. After all I´m a Swede

[The Tuffen]

I play as the English. Usually get excommunicated within a few turns cos i attack the French. The Byzantines are my second choice.

[Contra]

Russian are probably the weakest faction, plus they have Mongols coming. But that's for those who like it hard. Then Byz and English for a lot of unique units. Didn't play muslims, so I can't judge on them.

[Balmont]

Byz.

They start out with Antioch http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif
-----

Go with the occ. Russian, for a little chalange (Golden Horde)

-Balmont

[Damianos_sophotatos]

I really like the sicilians for their central location. Units are crap though- no unique ones http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[Jags]

I prefer to play with the Byzantines, mainly because I am a Greek and I try to restore the glorious Byzantine Empire.

Other favourites are the Spaniards (El Cid, Reconquista etc) and the Danes. Ofcourse, getting excommunicated or having your generals scorched from various inquisitors is quite annoying, but you learn to leave with it...

[Kristaps]

Quote[/b] (PoLsKa_HuSaRiA @ Feb. 21 2003,20:41)]Voted Poland for the general difficulty associated with taking them to the top and for great postition in the Early period where you can quickly conquer nearby rebels and beat up the russians :D (no offence to Russians implied :D )
well, it was actually lithuanians who beat up the near-by russians and then handed the russian lands to the polish on a plate through marriage http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif


http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-oops.gif

[The Sword of Cao Cao]

Egypt = Saladin

need I say more?

[Crazy Duke]

My favorite is Spain, than England, Danes, French, Byz.....

[gaijinalways]

Hard for me to say, I have only played 3. The Turks I quit after collapsing my income under merc debt. The English I finished 2 campaigns on normal and expert, and I am currently playing the second Italian campaign (the first was lost in a computer crash).

So far, I think any faction you can get rolling is good. Figuring out the early strategy is crucial as this will often determine if you will develop well enough to be strong later on. Of course, there often is more than one way to approach that, depending on your likes and dislikes. I prefer slower buildups (especially more so now as with the Italians I'm playing GA, but some players like to expand early on. I actually waited over 200 years before I attacked anyone in my current campaign. Certainly in that respect, this game is quite different than Shogun
(I played Shogun with every faction on expert to successful conclusions)as in Shogun you never had to wait long for someone to to attack you.

[Sociopsychoactive]

It's gotta be the English, though I havn't played as all of them yet.

I tend to go for the catholics anyway becasue I never got on with the hit-n-run tactics of the muslims, though the orthodox christians are fun. English, however, are great, I usually start it early, consolidate the iland (not ireland itself yet) and then beat up france for a bit, if I get excommunicated in the process then I go for rapid expantion, and then halt when the pope dies. My current early/expert game with them has me holding all the isles, all of france, half of germany and I'm just charging into south spain, north africa after a timely civil war aopened up expantion routs just as my navy got there.

The unique units are grat, welsh longbowmen rule, but I do tend to get bored as after the initial rush it;s to easy.

I'm playing byzantium early/hard atm aswell, and I loved that every time I played it, the centralise government of constantinople makes it very difficult to build troops and a navy, and expantion north cost far to much and turn very little profit untill you have secured your power base. Currently I managed to keep constantinople going naval and the others doing troops, and hold roughly half of europe, and in answer to those who say it't to easy wih them, I just had to deal with a MAJOR rebellion in over 20 provinces, just becasue the sneaky french went and crusaded me just as my son came of age, and my king died, meaning the royal line bypassed the brothers, 8 and 7 command, both with very admirable stats and virtues, and went to a pridefull idiot who canl;t count, and couldn't order dinner, let alone an army.

What with the turks re-emerging and my northern empire crumbling under the sheer weight or rebels, plus the horde being due in a few years it's far from easy, I had to fight over 2000 frenchies with less than a thousand of my own, killed over 1600 and lost, only for their crusade to nab loads of german units and march straight through poland and hungry, and into constantinople itself.

Fun fun fun all the way.

The spanish are good, especially as a tradign antion and because you can war without fear of excommunication thanks to the moors.

The danes, now they are fun, vikings kick arse completely (though I'm sure froggy's guide said beserkers were available in the medieval campagn, and I can't seem to get them anwhere) but they do have one major downfall, NO CRUSADES Yep, it's historically accurate, and they do sem to have more leeway with the pope than others, but still, I want to march into the holy land with 5000 troops and cook under the burning desert

I think me next campagn has to be the french, I killed them so many times with so many factions that I want revenge on myself..

So,

English
Byzantium
Spanish
Norse

I havn't played them all, but from what little I did the HRE was to boxed in and got exxcommunicated for so much as sneezing west.

[Fanty]

For me is a Saxon, I of course play HRE or Saxons (if viking addon) the most often. ;)

[Apocalyp$e]

Quote[/b] (PoLsKa_HuSaRiA @ Feb. 21 2003,20:41)]Voted Poland for the general difficulty associated with taking them to the top and for great postition in the Early period where you can quickly conquer nearby rebels and beat up the russians :D (no offence to Russians implied :D )
Nice that's exactly the reason I play them too, I love tearing up those russians... hey Polska, don't you wish they had polish hussars in this game?

[Don Corleone]

No surprise here, I love the Italians. I'm not good at managing money in the game, and they're a little more forgiving than most. I love Crusading so that narrows my choices. I'm not good w/ horse archers etc. so the Spanish aren't much good for me. The French have too high a wall to climb; I have organizational issues with the HRE. That leaves Italy & England, my two favorites, in that order. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif I know you can mod the game to crusade with anyone, but I prefer to leave the game as it is.

Just my 2 cents.

[Haethurn]

I'm pretty fascinated with Muslim culture, so I like to play as the Turks or the Almohads, although I do like to play as the Spanish or the Byzantines as well. I don't really care for any of the other factions. I suppose someday I will get around to playing as the Italians...that seems intriguing, for some reason.

[Don Corleone]

Surprising... for all the talk about the Elmos, I would have figured they'd be way up there. Only 5, making them the least popular. Hmmmm.

[PantsDaddy]

i really like to play as the, errr, new factions in viking invasion. Aragon is definatly one of my favorites. I also like sicily and danes. I hate starting with more than one or two lands.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

God save our Gracious Queen
Long Live our nobel Queen
God Save the Queen
Send her Victorius
Happy and Glorious
Long to Reign Over Us
God save the Queen

And I'm an american. Go figuere.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

Don Corleone, I'm the Resident Mafioso around here, so don't start a power struggle http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
-Capo

[Sternness]

Personally, my absolute favourite and most-played senarios of the game are Aragon's 3 starting points, but Aragon's not on the poll. Now, I'm not sure whether to vote for the Spanish simply because they're the next closest, the Byzantines because I like starting as them in High or Late, the Russians for fun battles against the Mongols, the Italians/Germans for Gothic Knights (which I love), or the French (I like their starting points too).

Uh.... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-anxious.gif

I suppose I'll just vote for the Spanish.

[mfberg]

Huns, followed by Byz and Danes in Early.
Turks and Huns in High.
Russ in Late.

[Grand Warder of the Kremlin]

For Mother Russia Boyars and Tatar hunts...Boyars going on Tatar hunts What's not to like? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

[Fanty]

Zitat[/b] ]And I'm an american. Go figuere.

Hehehe. As American you can pretty much take everything.
As your usualy well mixed up.

Tons of migrants.

the largest migrant group was Irish. (45% of all Americans have Irish blood in em)

Second largest migration group was Germans (34% of all Americans have German blood. More in the North. Specialy in the middle of the North, where it goes up to 70%)

Interestingly there was a settling pattern. Germans settled where Swedes settled or other way around.

;)