Which Faction to play first

**Lorenzo_H** · 11-22-2006, 23:23

I dunno bout everyone else, but im gonna do Spain.

**IrishArmenian** · 11-22-2006, 23:46

If you can unlock them, the Russians! Excellent variety. They seem to pick and choose what they like from other factions and then combine them, adding a distinct flavor and then blend them together. The result is an incredibly fun, challenging campaign in which you always have units to deal with your enemies, you just didn't know it!

**Grimmy** · 11-23-2006, 00:03

Another aspect to starting with England is that you can sit back and play around with building cities/forts without having to worry about invading armies once you have the island secure and a decent navy protecting your shores.

There's lots to get used to that's different. Cities and forts are different beasts, each builds different stuff.

The recruiting system is very different (and much better imo) than previous TW games.

So, if you want to spend some time sitting safely and working out what's what and what makes what and what gives what and how to get who then it's hard to beat England.

**Garnier** · 11-23-2006, 00:27

I played venice for my first campaign, (lasted some 60 turns) then I played england for 25 turns, then spain for 60 turns, then milan for 110 turns, then HRE for 30 turns, now Ive been playing france for 20 turns and counting. I never settle down to one campaign for long.

**Zenicetus** · 11-23-2006, 00:31

I started with Spain because it seemed like an easy introduction to the game, while I learn the mechanics. You have a "free" Muslim target for early expansion right next door, without having to worry about playing politics with the Pope. Portugal acts as a buffer against the French for a while. Once you've taken the Iberian peninsula and established a beachhead in Africa, you're in a fairly protected position where you only have to defend one major border to the northeast (unless you expand further into Western Europe). Crusades can sail direct, without marching across other factions' lands.

The beginning Spanish units are pretty good too. They're a bit weak in infantry (like many factions in the early game), but the early cavalry is nice.

**Xaziv** · 11-23-2006, 00:38

out of the starting faction, I would say to use the Spanish faction. I think that france is the strongest faction in game, but for your first time you will not use them well. Because most noobies do not know how to charge properly... But france has the best calvary and can make some big $$ quickly.

But spanish is good for getting to know how to use the game, and unlocking factions.

England is also a good choice to learn the game, but takes longer to complete the campaign. I love longbows, and you probably do too so you could choose england.

Germans have to face too many enemies for them to be good at the start, although it is possible.

Really though it doesn't matter what you start as.

**Ice** · 11-23-2006, 00:55

Originally Posted by Xaziv

out of the starting faction, I would say to use the Spanish faction. I think that france is the strongest faction in game, but for your first time you will not use them well. Because most noobies do not know how to charge properly... But france has the best calvary and can make some big $$ quickly.

But spanish is good for getting to know how to use the game, and unlocking factions.

England is also a good choice to learn the game, but takes longer to complete the campaign. I love longbows, and you probably do too so you could choose england.

Germans have to face too many enemies for them to be good at the start, although it is possible.

Really though it doesn't matter what you start as.

I'm not a noob to total war games. I've played Shogun and Rome.