Best Orthodox Faction in XL?

[Gimli]

Which one is the best and why? I'm looking foreward to your comments!

[Martok]

The Byzantines remain my favorites, although I admit it might be as much for sentimental reasons as anything else. That said, I do appreciate the Latin Auxillaries -- it's nice to have a decent spear unit on the roster (even if it's not the most historically accurate).

I don't think I've ever played as the Bulgarians, now that I think about it. Probably because I usually play in the Early era only, but still.

[King Kurt]

Currently, I can only judge factions by those who have opposed me - so my vote goes to the Armenians - definately the biggest thorn in my side during the teutonic campaign.

[Scurvy]

Novgorod for me, I like the units available to them, and happen to playing a campaign with them atm

--> I also have never played as Bulgaria due to only really playing campaigns from Early...

[Zathernon]

The Bulgarians. Have not played only the Russians.
My style of play is of one sitting, rarely will I go even to 60%. Playing the Bulgars with huge armies creates a big economic challenge. Much like the Hospitaliars. In this way , to create an economic base of operations becomes the game. I also will not attack allies, i must first break the alliance somehow.

My big question is how to get piety for the governors and new troops ?
One can bribe a failed crusade to get quality governors and generals, but how do you raise the piety of the Orthodox provinces ?

[Xehh II]

Go serbia! They are the only Orthodox that i've played but they're the best by far!

[gregori99]

I like the Byzantines, mostly for the geographical location, which is more interesting than the steppes. Playing the Byzantines also gives you a bit of everything - facing the Muslims and the Catholics, fending off crusades, preparing for the Golden Horde etc.

[Gimli]

At this point, the Serbians and the Armenians are tied for the best faction... As an observation, they are the two Orthodox factions that have Catholic-like knight units and they both have very decent infantry (sword/mace/polearm) and both use the barque/caravel/cog ship set... A coincidence? Maybe!

[Innocentius]

Well, the Serbs have an excellent unit roster with Voynuk Bladesmen who are very similar to Billmen. They got my vote mostly for the said reason. Out of plain historical interest (and coolest unit names) I'd choose the Byzantines.

[doctrellor]

Since I play early.. I have played all the steppe factions....

I like 3, each for differing reasons.. but my favorite are the Byz

1) The Byz cause I can become so damn dominate in the Middle East/North Africa and can even scare the Mongols when they arrive...

2) Novgorod Taking the steppes and Scandinavia..:) and then to take out the ENglish..:)

3) Keiv: taking out the Cumans for easy reaches to the Balkans and Central Europe

[Gimli]

Hmmmm...... I'm just curious, is there a reason that people do not like the Northern Orthodox factions? I was very tempted to vote for one of them (my vote went to the Armenians) because of their longboats, Druzhina units, vikings, and Voi! (Also, a little space to expand!)

[UltraWar]

Armenia's position is just perfect for conquest.

[Martok]

Hmmmm...... I'm just curious, is there a reason that people do not like the Northern Orthodox factions? I was very tempted to vote for one of them (my vote went to the Armenians) because of their longboats, Druzhina units, vikings, and Voi! (Also, a little space to expand!)

Well speaking only for myself, it's not that I don't like Novgorod/Kiev. I just happen to like the Byzantines more, that's all.

[Innocentius]

Hmmmm...... I'm just curious, is there a reason that people do not like the Northern Orthodox factions? I was very tempted to vote for one of them (my vote went to the Armenians) because of their longboats, Druzhina units, vikings, and Voi! (Also, a little space to expand!)

Just like Martok, I actually enjoy the northern Orthodox factions (even very much), it's just that the Balkans are a more interesting area to me. No denial that the Druzhina Infantry has the by far coolest unit info pic in the latest version of the XL Mod though.

[MJF]

i prefer the southern orthodox factions such as serbia and esp byzantine. the main problem i have with the northern othodox is their lack of any heavy cavalry. recently playing a campaign as the kievans, i frequently found that battles were won with much high casualties because i did not have any heavy cavalry to smash into the rear of the enemy. Boyars are acceptable but their attack is not the best and i think they are more useful as missile cavalry with a nasty punch.

byzantine on the other hand has got lancers to act as meaty light cavalry, proanio allegori to act as the main body of knights and katatans for light amusement.

and of the southern, i like byzantine just for the history. always satsifying to see them retake the old empire.

[Roark]

Dunno about "best", but my favourite is Novgorod. I really dig the politics of the XL North. The Teutonic knights can put up a good fight, and the Grand Duke of Lithuania is no "easy beat" on the battlfield. Plus, you've got Vikings ahoy with the 2 (or 3, depending on era) Scandinavian factions. Good rivals, sea access, and the opportunity to face the Horde, as long as they don't arrive with only 10,000 troops wearing girls blouses.

[chris34au]

i went with Bulgaria but all of the Orthodox factions are great. my only complaint about Bulgaria is not being able to play a campaign with them in the Early period.i love their starting position and the fact that Bulgarian Brigands can really be put to use in the many bridge battles on that part of the map.

if i'm going to play as an Orthodox faction in Early, i'd probably go with Armenia or Serbia. i've only tried one campaign with Novogrod but the fact that my first 5-6 heirs were raging alcoholics kinda scared me away from using them again in the near future.

[bamff]

Love the flexibility offered by the variety of the Serbian unit roster. Like many others, I have always found that the Armenians can be a tough nut to crack, so they get to be my "runner up".

[Roark]

The Byzantines are my favourites (like Martok, for sentimental reasons), but the Serbs are totally vicious!

[Fagar]

I had to think long and hard about this one.

In the end went for Byzantine.
Just because I find the geographical location better and more unpredictable.
In the steppes, especially early it can be pretty linear where I like to start a campaign with lots of different stategies open to me (and to the AI).

I must also admit there are sentimental reasons. The Byzantines were the first faction I played in Vanilla.