Who do you want to play as?

[Sheogorath]

Easy question, who are you most eager to play as?
I'm just going by the nations I can see on the camaign map, so if I left somebody out, its probably because they're not there (Poland, for example).

Myself, I'm keen on Russia. UURAH!

[pevergreen]

Australia.

As an actual answer, I dont know, I will probably end up as Portugal or Spain, someone with big ships and pretty units.

[rajpoot]

UK, because it's bound to be the most fleshed out country ingame. I sure CA must have put maximum work in the UK and the 13 colonies.
Would have chosen the Mugal Empire, but I fear starting out with something so familier would make me see naught but historical inaccuracies, which might ruin the game for me before I even begin......so, UK it is.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Sweden!

[PBI]

I intend to prepare for Empire by watching Master & Commander, after which I will have no interest in playing as anyone other than the UK.

[Pinxit]

Hm. Hmhmhm! Why am I not able to vote on this poll?

[PBI]

I think you have to be a Member rather than a Junior Member to vote in polls.

[Ituralde]

Sweden! They are on the European mainland but detached enough to make colonies feasible, as well as mixing up Continental Europe. Russia and Prussia better beware!!

After that probably Prussia to get back to my historical roots. And of course I will play the UK at one point. It would be silly not to, kind of like not playing Rome during its timeframe.

[Polemists]

Austria

I am interested and curious to see the duality between Austria and Prussia and to see if I can manuever the Hapsburg(sp?) family back into power.

Assuming I can't play them at start I'd probably go with a safe bet, like England.

Of course I will click through every single faction and read the little excerpt first. I hope we get unique unit previews again. Though I preferred the unique cinematic intro's of Rome to the standarized cinematic intros of MTW 2. So i'm HOPING this time each faction has it's own unique intro story AND unique intro video.

[Knight of the Rose]

Where's Gah! ???

OT, I woted Denmark - a small nation between many potential conflicts could prove a challenge.

But in RL I'll take one of the big empires first, France or England. The Ottomans will be my third or fourth choice, and then I'll just go on untill I've played Luxemburg.

/KotR

[Pinxit]

I think you have to be a Member rather than a Junior Member to vote in polls.

Then I vote for Sweden by posting this message

I will conquer Norway and Iceland from Denmark-Norway from start, then move on to make the Russians suffer greatly by reducing their power to null. After that, I will simply sit and enjoy the view of Sweden as the only power on the scandinavian peninsula and see the economy grow and enjoy pax Swedenomana.

[Herkus]

Sweden, of course. The outcome of Great Northern War must be changed.

[Lord Winter]

Sweden, of course. The outcome of Great Northern War must be changed.

Agreed I just hope there's no you lose half your army due to weather event.

Then I'll probably play a Russia game, over run Sweden, and then turn and take Istanbul.

[Spartan198]

I'll let you know once I've played the first Classical era mod is released for Empire.

[Pinxit]

Sweden, of course. The outcome of Great Northern War must be changed.

Which raises an interesting question. Do people in the baltic states generally believe that they are a lost part of Sweden, a lost part of Russia or independent in both history and present day?

It seems that a lot of people in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland wants to create a Scandinavian country. And the baltic states? It sure would be nice to see a country which have almost the entire baltic inside its borders

[Pinxit]

I mean, look at the map over the Swedish empire at its zenith according to wikipedia. By Ozymandias, that is sweet! It does look a little different from the ETW campaign map.

[Pinxit]

[Rhyfelwyr]

I'll be playing as Britain first. They seem like the generic faction, like the Julii in RTW.

[Megas Methuselah]

OH COMMON!!!! NO NATIVE AMERICANS?!!!

[Rhyfelwyr]

Fighting in their traditional disciplined style I see - that pic really looks wrong.

[Pinxit]

OH COMMON!!!! NO NATIVE AMERICANS?!!!

Rebels?

[rajpoot]

Presenting the highly trained and disciplined, Iroqouis skirmishers

[GMaximus]

Which raises an interesting question. Do people in the baltic states generally believe that they are a lost part of Sweden, a lost part of Russia or independent in both history and present day?

I'm Lithuanian, and I can say that I always get angry if people think we're a part of Russia (so far I've never talked with anyone who thinks we're a part of Sweden, but I'm pretty sure it'd be same result as with Russia).

I myself will probably play as Prussia, then Austria and then Sweden. Then maybe Ottomans or UK.

[Dutch_guy]

The Dutch probably, first time we're an actual faction so might as well try it out first.

[Herkus]

Which raises an interesting question. Do people in the baltic states generally believe that they are a lost part of Sweden, a lost part of Russia or independent in both history and present day?

Well we believe that that we aren't part of either Sweden or Russia, but due to historical reasons the Swedish time in Baltics is seen generally favourable, compared with other "occupiers" from Livonian War onwards. Though the history of Lithuania is bit different because they had their own state.

It seems that a lot of people in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland wants to create a Scandinavian country. And the baltic states? It sure would be nice to see a country which have almost the entire baltic inside its borders

One can try to recreate the united Baltic state from that small Duchy of Courland faction, which knowing all political situation in 18th century would be nearly impossible, but hey its a game afterall ...

[Megas Methuselah]

Presenting the highly trained and disciplined, Iroqouis skirmishers

Lol, yeah, I know. But hey, it's better than nothing!

Rebels?

With some 50 available factions, I doubt it. There's probably a few different Native American factions... I hope. Besides, I remember CA stating something along the lines that every region will have their own rebel factions, so I'm led to believe there won't be one single rebel faction.

[Sir Beane]

I have a problem with this poll. Where is the option for 'The People's Republic of the Isle of Wight.'

On a more serious note, I would love to be able to play as Switzerland. Except my version would be famous for bloodthirsty invasion and weapons technology rather than clocks and chocolate.

"Who's neutral now !"

However I voted for England before I noticed Switzerland. Thats what I get for following my patriotic instincts.

[Pinxit]

Well we believe that that we aren't part of either Sweden or Russia, but due to historical reasons the Swedish time in Baltics is seen generally favourable, compared with other "occupiers" from Livonian War onwards. Though the history of Lithuania is bit different because they had their own state.

One can try to recreate the united Baltic state from that small Duchy of Courland faction, which knowing all political situation in 18th century would be nearly impossible, but hey its a game afterall ...

Now I have to read about the history of the baltic states. Any good books to recommend?

About recreating the united Baltic state. Well, as you said, its a game, and if there is anything CA taught me it is that anyone with a military force and a creative mind can do just about everything. As long as it takes place in CAs games It will be a fun challenge.

[Belgolas]

I voted UK so I could create a civil war and hopefully join the side that would be Canada. Then Conquer the world!

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I'll probably stick with smaller monarchies, carving out a backwater empire while the big powers squabble.

Not sure which factions that applies to in the early 1700's...