What Factions would you like to see in Empire Total War

[Sheogorath]

Quite. Small nations dont nessecarily have small navies. Look at the Dutch, they probably had the largest navy in the world, even bigger than the Royal Navy, although more geared towards protection of their trade than imperial conquest, 'though the Dutch did have a pretty large empire at one point.

Few people realize that Spain was still a major power in the 18th century as well. The Spanish Armada wasnt such a major loss, it coincided with the start of the decline of the Empire, but the war between the Spanish and British mostly ended because both sides got bored. Spain's power lasted up until the 1760's or 70's if I remember, which is when the British clearly surpassed them in naval power.
Spain also had the biggest ship of the line ever built during the Napoleonic Wars. I cant remember the name, but I believe it had 130 guns. Of course, it was basically useless because its top speed was something approaching a fast walk and apparently its captain thought it handled like a drunken cow.

Dont tell the British that though, 'cause the Royal Navy has ALWAYS been the single greatest power with uncontested control of the oceans.
*winkwinknodnod*