Which (mainland Greek faction) is superior?

[pezhetairoi]

That's a point. I used to love playing greek cities in vanilla because it was so -divergent-. But that notion doesn't really appeal as strongly on EB somehow. It's like with the removal of Syracuse from the faction, a whole dimension is lost. Ah well. I suppose I'll just go edit the EDB myself and go try out KH with slightly bigger, slightly meaner units, and see.

[Strategos Alexandros]

IMO Epeiros's units are the best looking and they start with a large successor army.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

The best unit roster is the Makedonian one. They have quite everything you need: The best phalanx, the Hypaspistai and Pheraspidai which are arguably the best shield-bearer-type unit, the very best cavalry with Thessalians and Thraikians and most notably the Hetairoi. And they have incredibly good regional units accessable with the Agrianians, the Thraikian Pelstats, the Triballoi, the Thraikian and Scythian Riders, and of course the heavy Galatian infantry and cavalry. Not to mention Syrian archers. There is only one unit type they are inferior compared to their mainland adversaries: That's the often mentioned "imitation legionary", namely Thorakitai which they don't have access to. The role of the Thorakitai, which is quite diverse, has to be filled by different types, namely Hypaspists, Pheraspides, Thureophoroi and Agrianians. Deployed properly and working hand in hand, these can of course outmatch Thorakitai by far. I myself have slaughtered them in droves.

The best strategic starting position has Epeiros, Makedonia has the worst. Evidence is given frequently in the "AI faction progression" thread. Ever seen a Makedonian empire over there? I've seen one (or better a half) once, not more. Epeiros on the other hand is almost always successful, either in Hellas where it is conquering Makedonia proper and Thessalia, then advancing north to the barbarians of Illyria, or it is advancing in Italy crushing the Roman Republic. The Greeks to the south don't have an easy time, but they can overcome the Makedonian troops on the Peloponnesos and do so quite often.

[geala]

Epeiros is superior, with Makedonia as a close second. The reason is that Epeiros has elephants nearby. Makedonia has slightly better top cavalry with armoured horses and elite infantry guard troops, but the difference it not so great and I was not very impressed in my Macedonian campaign from the two Makedonian agema units. Thorakitai can in fact do the same. If you fight enemies with strong infantry, esp. elite phalanges or pesky Spartans or Romans, the elephants make a big difference. Another reason perhaps: Chaonian Agema phalangites are the best in the game in my opinion and also good without phalanx mode. On the other hand the Macedons get the Thracian peltasts, very good skirmishers with a strong punch in close combat thanks to the romphaias. So, it's the elephants.

It's a pity that I have played both factions very intensively. What shall I play in the future, with only losers left...?