which do you think is the best faction?

[HailMightCaeser]

well, spartans do the job quit nicely too, but are not as flexible. in RTR 5.0 they are. urban cohorts ( wich didn't even realy excist, as you'll see in RTR5.4) lose to spartans OUT of phalanx.

True Spartans are good, but they have their drawbacks. Like you said, they are best in phalanx formation, but can be taken out at reduced effectiveness. They
also take 2 turns to train and require you to ahve the highest tech tree (I think). The main drawback is they can only be produced at 2 places, Sparta and or Syracuse. Roman legonaries, on the other hand, have pillas, can form testudo, require 1 turn to build, require the 2nd highest tier structure, and can be built anywhere with an army barracks.

[Craterus]

i still say egyptians.. those chariot archers are unbeatable if used properly!