All factions get easy after you've reached a suitable size so that the question is basically to assess what are the most difficult starting positions. The only post-start factor to take into account IMHO is whether or not you are close the Khazar (HUGE SPOILER: that's where the Golden Horde usually shows up !!!).

Based on that the most difficult factions for me are:

  • Aragon (if you do not get rid of the Spaniard and Elmos ASAP you are trouble indeed)
  • HRE (no money, not enough good generals, enemies all over and rebellion prone)
  • Italy (enemies all over, non-stop crusades crossing your land, Pope fascinated by Tuscany)
  • Poland (No moeny, Byz to the south and east, if managed to go eastward you're first in line when the Horde appears)
  • Turkey (Byz West, Egyptians South, No East, if managed to go North you're first in line when the Horde appears)


On the other hand the easiest factions are the English (and their cosy little set up) and the Spanish (need to get rid of the Elmos ASAP but that usually a walk-over for an human player with a few jinettes).