Hmm, the Danes, the Sicilians, the Byzantines and other Factions historically had major disadvantages and weaknesses. I am not sure what you mean by balance, but I enjoy using a weaker faction against a stronger faction, say the Sicilians against the Byzantines, or a small force of good units against a larger force of good units.

I don't like balance or an even playing field, I like to win when statistically I should loose. There should be another option in MP, random mode, where the computer picks an army for you and you got to play that army.

Something else, Fog of War. I can only see what all of my units can see... and if a unit gets its LOS with the General cut off, I cannot command it...