Well, I jumped right in against better advice and picked a smaller faction to play, the Brandenburgers.
I liked their location relative to rebel factions. I've decided to take the hard road, as a Protestant faction to ally only with fellow Protestants( I know I'm going to pay for this later)
Right off the start all the larger faction jumped on the rebels, and me feeling left out of the scrum decided to invade the rebels in Saxony(although NOT the real Saxon faction).
In my haste, I forgot to notice that our borders were secured by a river...yep river battle! Let me tell you dashing my poor soldiers lives against the enemy's pike regiment holding the bridge was sorrowful.
Long story short the time ran out on the battle, I slunk back to Brandenburg with my tail between my legs, to lick my wounds.
Of all people the Portugese landed a sizable army there next turn(can you believe it ). I said to myself oh no you dont those are my rebels to fight, I have a score to settle with them. I reinvaded, declared war on Portugal and this time despite another bridge battle, I routed them(ha,ha)
The remnants of the rebel scum are holed up in their castle, and it will fall shortly...no mercy will be shown to them.
That's about it for now.
BTW, I've been practicing custom battles and I have to say War Wagon Infantry rock. Next campaign I will definately play a faction that have these outstanding units.
Cheers
Alex