Which Faction to play first

[Ice]

Hmm, just took jerusalem on the order of the pope. Even better, they just elected a cardinal from my faction to be pope. I'm in with the Papal States.

[PseRamesses]

I just love the English setup but must recommend either the Fatmids (Egypt) or Novgorodians (Russia). The Fatmids are rich, filthy rich, and you have alot of rebs to play around with... until the crusaders drops by for a java.
The Novgorodians are sweet, excellent troop selection throughout the game and the whole steppes to conquer and Novgorod is a true cash-cow.

[Rothe]

Pre patch I would actually avoid the English as their best infantry is bugged as hell. Billmen and Dismounted English Knights are utterly useless in killing cavalry, which you would want to do just about in every battle.

I started as the English, but I am thinking to save the campaign for post patch and try out some faction that is less buggy.

[Spendius]

My first campaign with the French was very nice. I couldn't charge properly (and still can't), but their knights are so mean they just do the job anyway. You will have amongst the best troops (French knights, Scottish guards), lots of neighbours to play with.
I wanted some challenge, so I started the Turkish, quite difficult early on with a mean byzantine an almost only horse archers to defend yourself, and are right in the way of crusades. However I now make fat cash, am on my way to conquer Greece and Egypt. I hope the Mongols will be strong (from what I read, they really are !), and especially not passive.
I'll play russian next, what I read on the other thread convinced me.

[wzup]

I began with england on h/h since its been ages (4months) since i last played rtw + rtw bi ... since im not familiar with mtv i find england to be a good choice. You're pretty much isolated & you only have to "worry" about scotland. I´ve been playing for 4days about 4h per day and i´m about to wipe out france (short campaign). After this is done i want to play as the moors on VH/VH.

[PseRamesses]

After this is done i want to play as the moors on VH/VH.

The u have to send your merchants through the mountainpass between Marrakesh and Algiers down to Timbuktu etc. There´s ivory, gold and slaves en mass down there, he he! You´ll be able to net in well over 1k with untrained merchants and the longer they stand there the more experianced they get.