Your factions deciding factor

[Kavhan Isbul]

For me it was history mainly, but since I have played them all, at the end I guess it comes to challenging starting position. I know there will be no GAs in MTW2, but in MTW I would play an otherwise boring faction as the French or the HRE (no offense to those who like them, I simply find their units and lands boring) just for the Glorious Achievements.

[pdoan8]

I always choose with good defensive position at start (Shimazu in STW and Denmark in MTW). Next would be good units along as it doesnot equate to expensive units.

[andrewt]

I choose units and economy. I went Takeda first in Shogun because of cavalry and they're close to the rich Hojo and Uesugi that I can take out easily. I chose English first in MTW cause they were the most familiar, then it was Julii in RTW.

I look for a variety of units. I alternated between Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox in MTW. I played eastern and barbarian ones after the Romans in RTW.