Easiest Faction [Archive]

rasoforos

08-11-2003, 17:29

Quote[/b] (RollingWave @ Aug. 11 2003,04:42)]Almohads definately..... great starting position with a easily defendable border (unlike the byz) great starting units (AUM and berbers and desert archers etc...) and pretty decently rich province and one of the better position to develop trade .... (they don't need as much money as the byz anyway due to their smaller border.
well if you think about it in 99% of the cases you will finish an early byz game in total domination much before it gets bad for them , in addition since your economy will be thriving you can afford to make and maintain tonns of varangian guard in high which can keep things easy later on. In addition it gets worse for the almohads too because , if you start from early and go into late , you will have to face heavilly armored troops in northern provinces with lighter troops that were not designed to fight under those conditions. So i believe that Byz is easier than Almohands.

Jacque Schtrapp

08-11-2003, 17:57

It is a toss up between the Byz and the Spanish for me. The Byz have the perfect location and the Spanish have such a phenomenally rich starting location.

Oaty

08-12-2003, 06:16

Well I did'nt vote because I only played the Almahods and Byzantines. I can say this though IMO byzantines are easy from beginning to end. As the Almahods I felt like it was very easy as my war machine stomped on faction after faction. I got to the byzantines and decided to hold the line there and start my much needed war with the French only to run into the Byzantines there too (oh why oh why didnt I use the maphack cheat lol). The byzantines played tug of war with me for about 30 years (well if it was tug of war I guess I was winning because I kept pulling the byzantines closer to me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif )

Well anyways I was annoyed for a very long time till I found out all I had to do was not leave the desert and wait for them to come to me. Even after a few smashing defeats and bringing there army to a managable size they still were'nt a joke and the march to constinople was slow. Nothing beats there generals and heavily armoured units that they get in early, especially there cavalry.

Another thing is if the A.I. takes many territories due to autoresolve they can get some high valour units wich was another killer for me, even those honour 7 (mostfrom the generals bonus) peasants did some damage so part of the 30 year tug of war was destroying those seasoned troops with base valour of 3-5. Even after killing those seasoned troops they kept on pumping out those 5-7 star generals year after year

Rocket_Boy

08-12-2003, 15:53

Byzantines, English, Spanish and Egyptians are good solid factions with good defensive starting position, whom once you get established, barring disasters, should be in a pretty good position for world conquest.

A Nerd

08-13-2003, 19:40

I thought the Spanish were easiest. They start with good provinces, they are easy to defend, talented monarchy and when the almohad are gone from Spain the rest is easy picking.

ichi

08-14-2003, 06:26

English and Almos have good chokepoints, Spanish have resources and chokepoints, Byz have resources

The Danes also have it pretty easy.

Central Euro Catholics have resources but many borders. The Turks have lots of borders also, although one can get to a point where there are chokepoints.

rasoforos is right, it gets harder for Muslims due to the nature of the armies.

Aragonese are hard. Try em on expert for a real challenge.

ichi

Old Bald Guy

08-14-2003, 12:27

I've found the Sicilians to be the easiest, with VI installed. No real competition, aside from the Byz in Naples, easily defended, lots of rebels to pick on, and easy to build a trade empire. Plus, if you are playing the Siz, you don't have to worry about them playing pirates against your fleet. hehe

After the Siz--Spanish, Elmos, English, Byz=Hungarians (tie), Egyptians, maybe Danes--although the GH can make life hard for them, that order. I find the HRE, Italians, Turks, French, then Poles, the hardest. (I still haven't played the Novs, as I do NOT like fighting the Horde.)

OBG

A.Saturnus

08-14-2003, 13:19

Haven`t played all factions but the Egyptians seemed very easy for me. With just a few ships you get incredible rich, the Almohads rarely do anything in your direction and Byz and Turks usually fight it out between them and you can enter the fight at the best moment.

Eastside Character

08-15-2003, 00:21

byzantines - because of their: rich povinces, elite units, generals and heirs . . .

RollingWave

08-17-2003, 10:46

I've been trying out with the byzantian and egpytian... and while I think the byzantian might be just as easy as the Almohads... the Egyptian is definately a lot harder than I thought....

First of all the Turks can strike at 4 of your province (or was it 5?) just from Syria alone... meaning you would either have to attack the turks and hold Syria ASAP or face a very exposed border.... the turks are a huge pain to fight against in the early going because or your lack of sufficent build up.... I had to fight several fight by waiting for the horse archer to exaust their ammo because mine all ran out and I dont' have anything that can catch them....

They have a incrediablly bad buildup in early... with only forts in 1 province and nothing in all the other http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif If I didn't hire a ton of mercs the Turks probably would have killed me and this was only normal setting

On the up side they do get really rich province ... argueablly some of the richest in the game... but these province also draws crusades faster than rotten meat draws flies on a hot summer's day.....

Conflict with the Almohads or the Byzantians are inevitable... both of which just happen to be the best early faction out there.....

Most of your special unit either comes in high or is pretty high up there in the tech tree.... meaning you'll be without them for most of your hard fights....

On the bright side they can build bedoians for almost nothing... (97) bedoians also only require forts... and is not only the most price effective anti calvary unit outthere (two of them will massacer even kats) they can also run down routers or archers reasonablly well...

Since you draw such a huge amount of crusades and probably will fight the byzantians.... setting up trade is very hard as everyone is at war with you :/ I just manage to set a trade rout up with the Italians declared a crusade on me adn killed half of my ships....

Byzantian is also a bit hard early on... you have very few troops for such a large border.... with only Constaninople being able to pump troops... most of your islands and naples is on the verge or rebellion... the Sicilians will probably attack Naples within the first 3 round.... while you would probably need to attack the turks in the first 2 round....

Though true after the early going as long as you can beat the turks your probably home free.... fighting the Egyptians in the desert will be a challenge though and attacking the cathloics will be troublesome...

A.Saturnus

08-18-2003, 10:02

Never had problems with the Egyptians. Palestine and Egypt alone give you enough income to produce vast numbers of desert archers. With these the Turkish horse archers shouldn`t be a problem. The Almohads never attacked me in early. They`re always buzy fighting the Spanish. And if they are going to win, you can easily defeat them by sending an invasion force to Cordoba and then take whole Northern Africa bit by bit.

Nowake

08-18-2003, 10:54

The spanish are very easy to win with. I don't like them, though. Boring faction, standard tactics and strategy.

Pdifolco

08-18-2003, 10:58

English are very powerful and easy : great units, easy defense of Home Islands http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif , sea domination meaning tons of dought http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
You can either crush or bribe any enemy

Nowake

08-18-2003, 11:05

c'mon, have you ever tried the other factions? You can finish with the spanish in no time.

el_slapper

08-18-2003, 19:52

It probably depends on your style, but for someone not that good in combat as myself, the obvious choice is : the danes.

Why?

Simple, you make war when you want. Some kind of bug or WAD makes that your only natural neighbour(HRE) never attacks you. Then, turn around it, flood the seas with ships, and pick whatever foe seems isolated. Job is done.

TheSilverKnight

08-18-2003, 20:08

I kind of like the Danish, but I don't really think there's an easiest faction. They each have their strong and weak points. But, the English being my favourite, I believe I'd have to pick them. After all, they're on a little island. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Knight_Ni!

08-19-2003, 12:47

IMHO, the easiest faction is the Danes. They have an incredibly secure starting position (HRE never attacks), thus a good economy or a productive buildup can be easily created.

In addition, the Vikings are excellent assault troops and are available to the Danish early on, before any other faction can create such a cost efficient unit.

The Danish also have easy pickings nearby on early, conquest of the North is no problem, if I'm swift, I can even have Wales and Scotland

Finally, they possess the classic heavy Catholic troops.

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

Aragorn

08-19-2003, 19:39

I still say the byzantines bcos alothoughit is hard if u start in late but very easy if u start in early and if u take advantage of thins even wen u get to the late period as long as u started in early it is still easy making domination easy.

Aragorn

08-19-2003, 19:42

Quote[/b] (Sjakihata Akechi @ Aug. 11 2003,15:16)]Why not include the french?
i did not include the french for 1 reason everyone around you seems to attack you even if your allied so they are prob my hardest faction as everyone wants a piece of you

Knight_Ni!

08-20-2003, 00:49

I disagree with Aragorn, cause the Byzantines do have a magnificent starting position/large empire/rich lands/good generals etc... but they don't have efficient troops later on, e.g. the only heavy infantry unit they possess is the Varangian Guard. Byz good on early, I say. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif

Sir Robin

08-20-2003, 21:14

The Byzantines are pretty easy to win with when you play an early campaign. High and Late campaigns make things dramatically tougher on the Byz.

Just love those Kats though.

Pitt_Slayer

08-28-2003, 18:22

byz early but you got to expaned quick http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
but i prefer english, deal with the french then either move east to germany\danes or move south spainish\arb factions.

Fortebraccio

08-28-2003, 21:02

Playing with the Polish in Early I had a pretty easy time, in less than fifty years of aggressive campaign against rebel provinces my dominion would extend from Sweden to Khazar, with long trade routes and amazing income. A long lasting alliance with Hungary and Holy Roman Empire gave me the chance to concentrate on the eastern front and subdue the Novgorodians with almost no effort. I think the Polish are a quite understimated faction, their starting position (at least in Early) is blessed by easy and rewarding conquest possibilities (extremely rich provinces like Sweden, Lithuania, Khazar).

The Blind King of Bohemia

08-28-2003, 21:16

Byzantines are good in all periods, so are the english, Almohads and the Egyptians. The poor French from my experience get ganged up upon, as do the HRE.

Si GeeNa

08-29-2003, 03:27

I think that the Egyptians have an awful lot of advantages in the Early game. *Thats my usual game*

Strategically, they have no natural enemies. The Turks and the Almos can be more than amicable allies in the game (they have problems in their backyard). Often, this means that the early part of the game for Egypt is primed towards Infrastructure.

By the time the Papacy declares Crusade against you, the Structure is already in place for decisive encounters with the Catholic nations. The Crusading nations fall apart when their crusades dont realise their objectives.

Advantages

1) Fighting in your own backyard, ie Desert

2) Wealth from Egypt, Antioch, Tripoli and Palestine

3) Crusade has to travel thru Almos and Turks, usually meaning that they are drained. (Of course, this means that Egypt has to take a pro-active stance in maintaining the survivability of her allies)

Perhaps not enuf gamers have tried out the Muslim factions, or too often expect their units to fight like a Catholic unit.

The key to Muslim factions lie in their cheaper units, richer homelands, units that are skewed to defeating the Catholics in the terrain and climate of their homeland.

rolin

08-29-2003, 07:05

Voted Spain because of tons of iron provinces, Jinetes very early in the game. Able to crush the Almohades with crusades in the beginning. After you have got the North African Goldprovincis you are next to be invicible.

Dimonstre

08-29-2003, 08:28

Hi all http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
I think that Byzantines are the easyest faction to play in Early. Byzantine infantry + trebizond archers are unstopable at this time. Have also generals and heirs that the most of the other factions can only dream about.
In High and Late Byzantines are not so brutal, but are still the easiest. IMO.

Gregoshi

08-30-2003, 02:21

A big, hearty Org welcome to rolin and Dimonstre http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

Thanks for joining in the discussions here. I hope you keep coming back for more.

I've not voted simply because I've only played Spain and the HRE. Sad, ain't it? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

rolin

09-01-2003, 09:33

Off Topic

Thank you for the nice welcome http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I'm sure I will pitch my camp here.

Took a while to find out why I'm only able to post here, 'cause German is my language.

Sorry for the misspellings in advance.

Qilue

09-01-2003, 17:30

Quote[/b] (Gregoshi @ Aug. 29 2003,20:21)]I've not voted simply because I've only played Spain and the HRE. Sad, ain't it? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif
Surely you jest. You mean you have never once tried being the sender of the Danish royal knight horde rather than the receiver? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The_678

09-01-2003, 19:00

I'll say Danes because in early they get all those new Viking Units (Viking Huscarles Rule ) They may not be the EASIEST but if you quickly take modern day Russia and the Great Britain Isles By High Era you shouldbe dominating and slaughtering all who face you with your massive Viking Armies. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cebei

09-01-2003, 21:35

To me, Turks are quite easy if you use them well. Turcoman horsemen are excellent for war of attrition. I use them for skirmishing neighbors (unless they have some sort of horse archer of fast cavalry) and then withdraw them from the battle when their arrows are depleted. And when you start training Janissaries.......... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif

mandt

09-02-2003, 23:21

I have yet to play as the Almohads or Byzantines, but I have to believe that the Holy Roman Empire is as easy as it can get. I never felt challenged. Maybe I'm just great http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif

Gregoshi

09-03-2003, 00:39

Greetings mandt. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Thanks for joining the Org...and thanks for making those of us who've struggled with playing the HRE feel like 90 pound weaklings. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

Nowake

09-03-2003, 08:07

all are great untill the resurection http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

mandt

09-03-2003, 18:00

Quote[/b] (Gregoshi @ Sep. 02 2003,18:39)]Greetings mandt. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Thanks for joining the Org...and thanks for making those of us who've struggled with playing the HRE feel like 90 pound weaklings. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
Thanks Gregoshi- http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Well, after seeing the results of the poll, maybe I should try those whacky Germans again...or, maybe not. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

But for me that's one of the beauties of this game. One day you're the windshield, and the next day you're the bug. I'm currently losing my shirt in Viking Invasion, as the Vikings, and I've heard the Viking faction is supposed to be easy.

BDC

09-03-2003, 22:05

Danish. Easily defendable provinces. Huge possible trade income and longboats to make it easier. Bucketloads of vikings to use. Make a trade empire then taking the British Isles, then Lithuania and Latvia for extra money, followed by Flanders and the rest of Europe.

I used the MedMod 3 beta so might be slightly different...

LordKarolinger

09-05-2003, 01:03

Definatly Germans

twjunkie

09-05-2003, 17:55

Well I'm only on my second campaign but the English are definately easier than the Byz empire. Army especially the foot are much more versitle, starting position is more secure and trade is easier to set up.

I haven't played the Elmos as you all call them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif but in both campaigns they have come out on top over the Spanish. Which I find makes it easier for other catholic factions to take Spain. Combination of crusades and no threat of excom.

Rajput

09-07-2003, 19:39

Byzantines for reasons already been said. Played and won my first game with 'em http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Dhepee

09-08-2003, 16:32

I like either the Danes or the English in the early period.
The danes because you can quickly take over Norway and Sweden, and then move east, the baltic coast always seems to be in rebellion. If you then go for the rebels in Scotland and wait for the inevitable war between to the French and the English to divert English attention and resources you can scoop up the British Isles and have a strong central position. Also, it takes a long time for anybody to notice the Danes and attack them. The HRE always leave me alone.
The English because you have a strong central position in the British Isles, but you http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif [B]Have to take Flanders and knock the French out early[B] http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif otherwise you will have no chance to build your empire up. As long as the French are around and have Flanders they will send armies into Wessex (hence the bold)

Hikarr

09-09-2003, 03:05

For world domination, the English or Almohads are fine candidates.

If you just want to stay in the running though and not risk elimination (which could be another definition of Easiest http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif )
the Danes do really well. Conquer the rest of Scandinavia,
expand over the Baltic Sea and then grab Ireland;
and possibly Scotland or Wales if England haven't.

You could then try shipping some Vikings, Kerns, Woodsmen,
Highlanders and Gallowglasses (and a princely entourage)
down to the iberian peninsula if you're feeling bold.
(Invading Portugal in this way against the moors was
extremely unhistorical but provided lots of comedy. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif )

Or stay peaceful and trade all over the seas, picking off
a mediterranean island now and then.

If this mostly peaceful style doesn't satisfy, you have lots
of light shock troops to compose an Afrika Korps with,
able to run around in the sun with axes and swords.
Complimented with some missiles units and steppe cavalry
if your easter front is going well, you could be quite
effective in your desert crusades without a Danish Order http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Since I haven't gotten VI (yet) I don't know how much
the new units would help in this. First I have to
get the normal game working again on my new video card,
but that's an entirely different post for another time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

gaelic cowboy

09-11-2003, 02:48

Agree with ya there about the Danes they are virtually protected from the enemy by geography and can effectively create a north sea empire like the info at the beginning of the game says.

Quokka

09-14-2003, 08:15

I find the Spanish have it pretty easy. Just jump all over the Elmoheads and then the Aragonese and you have very rich provinces with lots of Iron available and easily contollable chokepoints. Trade can go either to the Atlantic or Med or both. Good units available and at least having the Jinettes, even if I can't use them all that well, stops anyone else from having them.

Qilue

09-14-2003, 13:00

Didn't realise I hadn't voted. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/redface.gif

Anyway, I chose Danes with Italians a close second. Although this is kind of subjective since I've played them more times than any other factions. It seems that the easiest is determined by which one you play the most, which for me is the Danes or Italians.

I know what has to be done now when a game starts along with a general schedule of conquests. The Elmos or HRE on the other hand, I'm almost totally lost.

kiwitt

12-29-2003, 22:01

I find the English too easy.

PseRamesses

12-29-2003, 22:21

I´d say it depends on what kind of game I like to play.

If I like to play, rich, have a secure crusading game and good defensive position I´d easily go for Spain rather that Enland who is far to exposed in France.
If I feel for some trading, raiding and high movability I choose the Danes - she rocks in early.
If I feel for moving the iron curtain over Europe and a cup of tea with the Mongols I´d choose the Russians.
If I like to turn the tables and play a muslim faction I´d say Efypt is really easy. I just take out TUR the first decades while at peace with BYZ. Then take ALM to Morocco. After that taking mordern day Turkey to Constatinopel is a piece of cake.

I don´t like, hoever the ITA, SIC, POL or HUN and have never played the Turks.

Voigtkampf

12-30-2003, 08:14

Would say that the Spanish are the easiest… Iberian Peninsula gets snatched away entirely from Almohads, and you ride all the way to Jerusalem while the rest of Europe kills eachother.

cutepuppy

12-30-2003, 16:53

I'm quite lazy today, so:
Would say that the Spanish are the easiest… Iberian Peninsula gets snatched away entirely from Almohads, and you ride all the way to Jerusalem while the rest of Europe kills eachother.

I totally agree

Sun Tzui

12-30-2003, 17:25

Well.....the faction You play, reflects your style of play, but...for example....consider this: English, for safe provinces and early expansion (the world domination atempt for the shy, who like a little corner to run to if things get rough http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif ); Almos for a fairly simple 2 front war (for a shy player that cant swim and therefore tries to avoid water as much as possible http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif ); Spanish....altough a bit thougher is balanced by fairly good resources (but still has only up or down to go and the Aragonese are easily eliminated http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif ); Byzantines are a bit different but Constantinople is one of the ultimate choke points in the game in my opinion and the wealth they can easily produce more than make up for the larger amount of borders they have (although...as stated before, they are fair game for catholic and muslim factions..wich spices things a bit) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/flat.gif

But the easiest of them all are the English (no doubt about it).... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

HawaiianHobbit

12-30-2003, 18:08

I chose the Turkish because its the only faction ive ever won with.

Doug-Thompson

12-30-2003, 21:50

The Byz don't have Jihads, so I'll say Almohads.

Bezalel

01-01-2004, 05:22

I don't know about the byz., I just played w/ them (this may just be some freak experience though), and got to about 3/4 world domination, and this is were it usually gets easiest for me, but, I have like 1,000+ troops in ALL of my provinces a King that has like a total of +60% to happiness, and nearly all of my provinces are revolting. It's terrible, I have 200,000 florins but it doesnt help. They're all on very low too. So I'm definately goin w/ the rich E. on this one.

Basileus

01-09-2004, 02:39

easiest spanish for sure..kick the almos out and then you got almost no enemys and all the time and money to chose what to do.

johnnybrigante

01-09-2004, 06:15

voted spanish, with england being a close second and denmark and sicily tied in third. the spanish can push the almohads back to cyrenaica (sp?) and then either 1. let them starve there for 400 years while storming europe, or 2. steamroll over egypt with crusade after crusade gaining rich provinces AND influence to a already blessed royal family. as the english, the french are easily defeated if a few years, and the HRE is usually to busy fighting everyone else to pose a threat. then it's a matter of time until you build a fleet and eliminate the danish, take sweden and strike the HRE (or whoever sits at their place in the moment) from north and west. then you can send crusades through whatever route you prefer to deplete your allies garrisons. and, finally, the danes and the sicilians can control the seas from the beggining, increase trade income to absurd levels, and, if played correctly, never have their main provinces invaded (the only time i was attacked in denmark, the attackers were the TURKISH). plus, with sicily you can send crusades by sea to tripoli and antioch (egypt too if you want, but it may backfire), and then you'll never more have to worry with money - if you do this early, and don't expand anymore, egypt will probably accept a ceasefire now and then (that's why taking egypt may screw this strategy, they'll ALWAYS want it back) and, voilà, zillions of florins from trade across the meditarraneum - the italians were supposed to do that, but they always seem to get excommed (that includes me playing as the italians).

Contra

01-13-2004, 18:52

Voted Biz - rich provinces, well developed city, great units available early. Even without a little mod (making Varangs available all periods) nobody can beat them, if there expension is correctly planned. By the time Westerners get Chivals the West is almost totally East (Biz).

fruitfly

01-13-2004, 19:00

I voted for the Spanish due to their wealth and the availability of iron. Plus they get jinetes, lancers and super-inquisitors which combined are enough to put anyone in their place.

Having said that Turkey in early is pretty easy too despite the game rating it as hard. Just take out either the Byz or Eqyptians early on, then hit the other and you've got a massive, incredibly wealthy empire with only 3-4 border provinces plus the citadel in Constantinople. As soon as the high period kicks in and you start churning out janissaries, noone can compete and even the horde are easy pickings when they show up at the back door. The Turks are probably my favourite faction to play with as battle tactics change completely depending on the era you're in and the units available (early = all cav and mounted archers; high/late = versatile foot archer units, JHI and the odd unit of cav to support) which makes for a more interesting game. Plus they get jihads (an instant way to make a bad Sultan good) and you don't have the Pope to worry about.

Count Alfred von Schlieffen

01-13-2004, 19:15

I'd go for the Almohads. Byzantines and Egyptians are good too in the beginning, but you'll come to a different conclusion when the MONGOLS INVADE http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-furious3.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-veryangry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

blastedblastedblasted mongols. Those factions are just too close to the mongol point of bloody entry in European-Middle eastern history. So I'd go for the Almohads.

Contra

01-13-2004, 22:05

Quote[/b] (Count Alfred von Schlieffen @ Jan. 13 2004,12:15)]blastedblastedblasted mongols. Those factions are just too close to the mongol point of bloody entry in European-Middle eastern history. So I'd go for the Almohads.
If you know when where and in what they are coming it's half the problem resolved. Besides, you also know that Mongols are 90% horse-riders, so prepare accordingly.
BUT if you didn't know they are coming... Oh, man - Amen http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-disappointed.gif

Suppiluliumas

01-13-2004, 22:09

If anyone is enterested in making the Danes more difficult, just launch and abortive attack on Saxony during your first turn. That will make the Germans a little less coy throughout the rest of the game.

Sun Tzui

01-14-2004, 12:19

Quote[/b] ]Even without a little mod (making Varangs available all periods) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif Hey I didn't notice this one yet http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-shocked.gif When do the Byzantines stop producing Varagian Guard???

Quote[/b] ]If you know when where and in what they are coming it's half the problem resolved. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-huh2.gif In what year do they appear??*don't remember...* and in wich provinces? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-huh2.gif *I though they appeared randomly in each campaign, but alternating between the same provinces...* http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif

fruitfly

01-14-2004, 13:19

Quote[/b] (Sun Tzui @ Jan. 14 2004,11:19)]http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-huh2.gif In what year do they appear??*don't remember...* and in wich provinces? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-huh2.gif *I though they appeared randomly in each campaign, but alternating between the same provinces...* http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif
They always appear in 1230. Always in Khazar.

Sometimes in Georgia, Armenia or Volga-Bulgaria too. That's the part that varies.

Dogmeat

01-14-2004, 14:08

i personally found the byz the easiest.

altti

01-14-2004, 15:34

On early definately byz. On high it's hard to say. Maybe english. Late it has to be either spanish or germans. Almost every faction is easy early. Just remember to be aggressive enough that you get the borders you want in the beginning and then decide wether to tech up or go all the way.

Contra

01-14-2004, 21:44

Quote[/b] (Sun Tzui @ Jan. 14 2004,05:19)]
Quote[/b] ]Even without a little mod (making Varangs available all periods) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif Hey I didn't notice this one yet http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-shocked.gif When do the Byzantines stop producing Varagian Guard???
Varangs are produced only in Early and High, they don't exist in Late.
So if you like them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-grin2.gif - you'd better store them on some remote farm, because without them Biz has nothing agains chivals and other late-western infantry.

Duerfian

01-14-2004, 23:29

Any fraction that has its back free is pretty easy, it helps to have a coastal territory with trade goods also. I think English is pretty easy. Very easy to defend home territory.

afroide

01-20-2004, 01:26

I don't know if I'd call them the easiest, but I just started a campaign as the spanish and have fallen in love. Here's why...

1) Money: While I can build a very solid economy with any faction, it's real nice to have a good income before you resort to trading.... Call it a convenience.

2) Location: I would argue that the spanish have the best geographical location of any faction. So long as you are not retarded, it's easy to expand your empire to 7 or 8 provinces that are laid out such that only 3 are bordering other factions. The other reason why I say this is that spain basically splits the known ocean in two, giving you the most central position to make naval expansion as efficient as possible.

3) Cavalry: The lancer/janissary combination makes the game easier than most realize. The lancers are about the most devastating cavalry in the game (with the possible exception of gothic knights... but IIRC the Lancers still have the edge over them). So use your infantry to pin the enemy, flank and weaken them with javelins from your janissaries, and finally break them with your lancers. If you time it right you can rout an entire army very quickly and with minimal casualties. Plus, having the super-fast janissaries means that once the enemy does rout, you maximize enemy casualties (making your next battle easier).

Aymar de Bois Mauri

01-20-2004, 15:03

Quote[/b] ]Cavalry: The lancer/janissary combination makes the game easier than most realize. The lancers are about the most devastating cavalry in the game (with the possible exception of gothic knights... but IIRC the Lancers still have the edge over them). So use your infantry to pin the enemy, flank and weaken them with javelins from your janissaries, and finally break them with your lancers. If you time it right you can rout an entire army very quickly and with minimal casualties. Plus, having the super-fast janissaries means that once the enemy does rout, you maximize enemy casualties (making your next battle easier).
The Janissaries are Turkish-only units.

The Spanish don't have them.

You're probably talking about Jinettes... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif

fruitfly

01-20-2004, 15:22

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Jan. 20 2004,14:03)]
Quote[/b] ]Cavalry: The lancer/janissary combination makes the game easier than most realize. The lancers are about the most devastating cavalry in the game (with the possible exception of gothic knights... but IIRC the Lancers still have the edge over them). So use your infantry to pin the enemy, flank and weaken them with javelins from your janissaries, and finally break them with your lancers. If you time it right you can rout an entire army very quickly and with minimal casualties. Plus, having the super-fast janissaries means that once the enemy does rout, you maximize enemy casualties (making your next battle easier).
The Janissaries are Turkish-only units.

The Spanish don't have them.

You're probably talking about Jinettes... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif
If the Spanish did have JHI they'd be absolutely invincible. Just think, JHI with +4 weapons... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-glasses2.gif

I think that Gothic Knights are just about the only cavalry that do have the edge over lancers, because their AP ability and the lancers incredibly heavy armour make the gothics more potent when the two do clash.

Lancers are available earlier, which ultimately makes them more useful in my opinion, although both are a waste of space in the desert.

afroide

01-20-2004, 21:19

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Jan. 20 2004,08:03)]
Quote[/b] ]Cavalry: The lancer/janissary combination makes the game easier than most realize. The lancers are about the most devastating cavalry in the game (with the possible exception of gothic knights... but IIRC the Lancers still have the edge over them). So use your infantry to pin the enemy, flank and weaken them with javelins from your janissaries, and finally break them with your lancers. If you time it right you can rout an entire army very quickly and with minimal casualties. Plus, having the super-fast janissaries means that once the enemy does rout, you maximize enemy casualties (making your next battle easier).
The Janissaries are Turkish-only units.

The Spanish don't have them.

You're probably talking about Jinettes... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-inquisitive.gif
Jinettes is, indeed, what I meant.

somethingbrite

01-22-2004, 16:59

I have not played out a campaign with enough of these factions to really comment. I like the English and they seem very easy indeed. (They are on an island after all which is easier to defend, are moderately rich and develop trade pretty fast. Also true, the units available to them throughout seem pretty balanced and tough.) The Danes I have a certain fondness for and in VI MTW they seem pretty tough too, also another good defensive place and a good position to attack from.
HRE and French seem about the same to me, maybe with the HRE having a slight advantage over the French in terms of territory initially possesed and avialiable. I played as both and the HRE didnt seem to have as many hostile factions on its borders as I did.
The Byzants DID seem quite easy at the start but true as time wore on I seemed to lack friends in the west AND in the east....Jihad AND crusade comin' at ya.

Still to play as many of the other factions available so may yet return to this thread with more comments at a later date.
Great game though, could play it forever, and totally looking forward to the release of Rome total war.

Kampfen

01-27-2004, 12:19

I didn't vote because I have only had the game for a month and I have only played the English. I found it very easy to get a solid position quickly as I wiped out the French in 1088. Read my post in the thread Best early start ever Or somthing like that for a description of the way I do it. Works every time. I then bribe the Basques into turning over Navarre so I can get an early start on a metalsmith and use the province as a retraining facility. This ticks off the Aragoneese and the Spanish but I can hold off the Spanish, the Almohads wind up keeping them from making any other attacks, and wipe out the Aragoneese that are considerably weakened. With my second retraining facility up and running, I build up my forces on the continent, waiting for the inevitable German attack. I keep as many peasants as necessary in Northumbria to keep the Scots from attacking until I get that dream front, Flanders, Lorraine, Burgundy and Provence with my strongest presence in Navarre and Aragon, always processing new recruits and cycling them up through the eastern front. Then I subdue Broccin of Claire and the Island is secure.

Too easy.

Quessa

01-31-2004, 18:16

I find the Byzantines as the easiest (playable) faction in whole MTW. Why? Well, I tend to mass-produce Byzantine Infantry from all of the provinces I hold in my grasp at that time (believe me when I say, name of Constantinople's highest isn't one to be worshiped without a strong sword-hand of my men). Then when I have an army of those fellows, I fill in the gaps with the Varangian Guard, Kataprakhtoi and Pavise-Arbalesters. Now I have an army that can virtually march across every province without even stopped at times. With this kind of an army I also marched into Rome and kicked the Pope's arse (who ordered him to send a Crusade across my lands?).
With that one, unbeaten army, I kept Rome and the whole boot of Italy under my rule. Only the Pope (or one of his followers) was stupid enough to wage a war over my justifiedly claimed Realms (naturally, he was dead as a stone before the sun was down).

Just gotta love those little men in their fancy purple dresses.

Cheers, Quessa.

Aleksandr Nevsky

02-01-2004, 05:07

The English...they have very good unique units, Billmen and Longbowmen. As well as the usual catholic fare.

Plus they have easy access to two provinces with good units (Highland Clansmen and Gallowglasses) That are extremely useful when fighting in the desert later in the game, or when crusading. Plus they have good resources in the trade goods they have and easily defendable home territories.

Now that aside, saying the English are the easiest...how come as the AI the English never do well. Every game I have played the English get destroyed by the French fairly early on, I usually always start in Early or High period and they always get their but kicked. I can't recall playing a campaign in Late so I don't know.

Jags

02-02-2004, 15:22

Danish, Byzantines & Spaniards are the easiest in my opinion (also the only factions I have played http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif).

As I like to have my back covered, the Danes are in the most secure position (HRE never attacks). The Spaniards have only to deal with the Almohads at first, and the Byzantines (if you can accept the loss of Naples for a while) can reach Morroco quite easily.

I start to believe that any faction can be very easy to win the game by the moment you annihilate yr closest rival. Just a thought ofcourse, haven't tried it yet.

Mysterium

02-02-2004, 22:52

I have to say English, because I play such an archer-heavy game. But between billmen, hobilars for cheap and easy routing and flanking units, and longbows - not to mention clansmen and the Irish units if you're so inclined - the English can dominate Europe by the high period.

Love them longbows

mercian billman

02-02-2004, 23:33

I gotta go with the Danes. Haven't played them since I got VI though.

Random Ronin

02-03-2004, 05:58

Interestingly, I kicked some ass with the French, wiping out the English with a nicely done, albeit bloody, campaign, then taking the Germans to the cleaners, the Danes were just a laugh, but I had some trouble with the Italians, mainly because the Germans kept giving me grief which kept my main Army tied down, so I had to use a mass of garrison troops from England and Denmark to keep the Italians occupied while I hit Poland, where I completely murdered them. Spain suddenly kicked Egypt out of the picture and then stuck me in the back, forcing me to wipe out Spain. By this time, the Middle-Eastern players were on the move into Europe, but I was able to reinforce Byzantines and with my Knights in support, I was able to have some fun cooperative battles with them, kicking even the mighty Janissaries to the curb. I was able to help the Byzantines knock out the Turks, after which I then took out the Byzantines, and after a short duel with a very desperate Almohads, I was able to proudly declare Vive La France in the capitols of all my enemies and chat up the maid.

The first thing I will admit is that the French are, in terms of soldier quality, less than ideal, but with skilled use of Knights and spearmen, it was not too hard. Vive La France http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif