Quote Originally Posted by IPoseTheQuestionYouReturnTheAnswer
There are definately some factions that are below the pack. The Scots, Byzantines, and Sicilians come to mind. None of them have any real redeeming qualities. They lack the basic, important units of other factions, and most of their unique units aren't nearly as good as those from other factions. Norman Knights are nice, but will lose to any other Catholic high-late era knight. Kataphraktoi aren't bad, but will lose to any other type of heavy lancers with maces. The Scots rely too much on pikes and infantry, two things that are extremely ineffective in M2.
I think you haven't played the Byzzies enough. They're one of the greatest factions unit-wise, at least until the late period when they don't get anything new. They're much like the Moors in that you really need to be able to command a pure cavalry army to be successful, but their cavalry is superb. The fact that Kats aren't a match for high-end uber-knights like Lancers and Gothics is irrelevant because you shouldn't be using them much. The Vardaratoi and the Byz Cavalry are what you should be focusing on. If your entire army is mobile missile cavalry it really doesn't matter what the enemy brings to the field, you're going to win.