Which faction for the first game

[King Edward]

Start Early and play as England, as they have a solid defensive position and their mid game units will own the fields of Europe (Longbows and Billmen) also the catholic factions unit are much more 'user friendly than some of the more exotic units you get with the muslim factions.

If you have MTW I HIGHLY recommend getting VI as it not only adds a new campagne but also enhances the origonal campagns. Then get 2.01 patch. Then you will also be able to play it online.

Hope thats of some help!

[Dutch_guy]

Ok, I've heard a lot about VI so I'll see if I can get it .

Thanks for your advice so far

[Viking]

Then get 2.01 patch. Then you will also be able to play it online.

Can you play MTW online with 56Kb connection?

[King Edward]

yep i used to all the time!

[Togakure]

The Byzantines in Early begin with a highly developed city (Constantinople) which can produce superior troops and has excellent trade potential, and they have superior generals. I've found them to be a relatively easy faction to play. The Egyptians are also an easy faction for a first campaign if you want to try the Muslims. England has a relatively defensible starting position, but income can be a problem unless you manage things carefully. England is also hemmed in by Christian factions, so crusades are often necessary to expand significantly (which usually results in having to manage a split empire if your crusade(s) are successful).

Contrary to the game's difficulty ratings, I've found the Spanish in Early to be one of the easiest Christian factions to play. They have a Muslim faction just next door, making it easy to expand early without conflicting with other Christian factions. Spanish Jinettes are effective light cavalry in Early--particularly in the desert, with inexpensive infrastructure needed to produce them. They have good generals--and once the Almohads have been dealt with--an easy path to the Holy Lands devoid of Christian opponents. After taking the Holy Lands from Egypt, they can continue on to Constantinople, taking out the Byzantines, again avoiding strife with Christian factions. Once Constantinople and the Holy Lands are taken, other Christian factions will often send crusades, effectively declaring war on you. This enables you to engage a Christian faction without instigating the conflict. When I play the Spanish I try to blitz, first the Almos, then the Egyptians, and then the Byzantines, owning the southern half of the map well before the onset of the High Period.

I think Early campaigns are easier than High and Late campaigns. Starting in Early also lets you develop your infrastructure the way you like before reaching the High Period, and allows you to produce a surplus of troops that are no longer trainable in High (like Danish Viking Huscarles, or Moldavian Avar Nobles, etc).

[ichi]

Click Here for a recent thread about which faction to play on your first attempt.

English, Spanish, Byz, Danish, Almohads all good, start in Early.

Good luck and let us know how it goes

ichi