The Best faction?

[Slon]

I like the Egyptians. The axemen are great for cutting through phalanxes, even against some of Macedon's Phalanx Pikemen (which are supposed to be really good). Then you have the Pharaoh's Guard and Pharaoh's Bowmen. They are expensive, but will definately make the game easier if you put them in your main army. If you start building ships from the beginning, you will easily be able to dominate the sea and blockade the Selucid Empire's ports. Then, start taking their settlements and hitting them up for cash (Selucid Empire is quite rich). Once you take them over, you will basically control land that once belonged to two of the richest factions in the game.

I usually keep 5 units of Pharaoh's Guard in front, cover the flanks with axemen. Cover the axemen with Nile Cavalry or the Axe Cavalry. Use the heavy orangers to take out enemies from afar and hit them with Pharaoh's bowmen as they approach. Then, send in your Pharaoh's Guard to lock the enemy in place (make sure your artillery and archers stop firing) and circle around with the axemen and follow up with cavalry charges. Of course, this is for the serious Rome-taking battles only. Most of the time, even against heavily fortified cities with Phalanx Pikemen, I usually just win by sending in 3 units of axemen and 1 unit of axe cavalry (that way I won't have to look for a Huge City to retrain my higher level troops).

The Greeks are pretty good, too. They have the best infantry, hands down. They can also become EXTREMELY rich if they take the Island south of Italy (the ones that are originally controlled by carthage and scipii). Greeks do get cavalry eventually, so it's not like you have nothing to flank with. The most important advantage of the Greeks is that they are very close to Rome, and can start taking over all of Italy long before the Marian reforms (which make it much harder).

[WannabeGosu]

Even though I like Romans and Barbarians and play them often, Selucid is the best faction. They have wery good hoplites. They have their own legionaries so they can defend a city wall. They have Elephants. They have Chariots.
No contest.

[Slon]

Even though I like Romans and Barbarians and play them often, Selucid is the best faction. They have wery good hoplites. They have their own legionaries so they can defend a city wall. They have Elephants. They have Chariots.
No contest.

Good point. Unfortunately, they are very difficult to play as in the beginning, as they are surrounded by very powerful factions.

[aw89]

horse archers are not a challenge, just avoid anything but sieges and sallys and you fine.
the egyptians are not very hard either IMO.