10. Byzantine Empire

Located in Anatolia, the Byzantine Empire acts as the gateway between the eastern and western regions of the map. Just like its historical counterpart, this means that it’s often vulnerable to attacks from either side. Not to mention that in its current state, the Byzantine Empire is a shadow of its former self lacking the power, influence and territory that it once held. People will find that playing this faction will offer a challenging start, beset from all sides with limited resources.

However, an empire in decline is an opportunity for the player. Despites its setbacks, the Byzantine Empire still retains enough strength to bounce back from its current predicament. It falls unto you to restore it to defeat its enemies, and restore it to its former glory!

Strengths:

• Generally strong and diverse roster of infantry
• Strong missile cavalry
• Strong late-game heavy cavalry

Weaknesses:

• Lack of reliable early-game cavalry
• Lack of gunpowder units/artillery

Play this faction if…

• You’re confident in micromanaging missile cavalry.
• You like playing with heavy infantry compositions.
• You have a fondness for the Roman Empire and you wish to take up the challenge of restoring it.

9. Holy Roman Empire 

Located in central Europe, the HRE finds itself in a similar situation as the Byzantine Empire, with enemies at every frontier. However, unlike the Byzantines, the HRE sports a reliable, professional set of units and armies to rely on to defend its borders and expand the empire.

If the player manages to weather the storm the HRE starts in, they’ll find themselves with several prospects for growth and expansion. 

Strengths:

• Generally strong roster with reliable heavy infantry, crossbows and cavalry, both heavy and missile.
• Access to “Teutonic Knights,” a heavy cavalry unique to the HRE.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of reliable bows.
• Several of its late-game units, such as Landschneckt and Dismounted Gothic Knights, aren’t as effective as they appear to be due to flaws within the game’s engine.

Play this faction if…

• You like playing a faction with versatile unit rosters.
• You like an early-game challenge.

8. Egypt

Egypt starts out in one of the stronger positions on the campaign map; relatively safe from enemies, good starting units, and opportunities for expansion in most directions. However, as you expand into the Middle East, you will find yourselves at odds with the Turks, not to mention that crusades from the western nations of Europe pose a constant threat to your lands.

And eventually, the nature of your campaign will change with the arrival of the Mongol Invasion. Your campaign’s fate will be determined by how you use your early advantage, but if fighting crusaders and Mongols sound fun to you, then you should find a lot to enjoy in an Egypt campaign.

Strengths:

• Very strong and diverse cavalry roster.
• Access to Hashashim and Naffatun units.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of reliable heavy infantry

Play this faction if…

• You like managing armies with a lot of cavalry.
• You like the challenge of having to rely on militia units until later in the campaign!

7. Milan

With its ability to raise well-trained militia armies, and its rich starting provinces, Milan starts out in a favorable position, with the potential to grow into a military and economic powerhouse. However, this potential is fragile, as Milan is surrounded by enemies. France, the HRE, Sicily and Venice are all wary of Milan.

If you want to survive long enough to realize Milan’s potential, you’ll have to navigate complex diplomatic and strategic dilemmas. 

Strengths:

• Strong roster of heavy infantry, crossbows and gunpowder units.
• Good militia units.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of light and missile cavalry.
• Lack of strong heavy cavalry.

Play this faction if…

• You like playing with robust army compositions.
• You like Milan’s rich but precarious starting position in the campaign.

6. Poland

Poland, despite having weak starting units for its early game, makes up for it with several prospects for expansion in every direction, with several regions that are rebel-held instead of being owned by any faction. Though, soon enough, you’ll encounter enemies like Hungary, Russia and the HRE depending on where you choose to expand.

And in the late-game, you’ll be in the line of fire when the Mongols invade Europe. However, if you play your cards right, you should have an evolved, professional army with reliable units capable of holding their own by the time they arrive.

Strengths:

• Strong late-game unit roster.

Weaknesses:

• Weak early-game unit roster.
• Precarious starting position on the map.

Play this faction if…

• You like the challenge of having a dangerous starting position with a weak build of units, with the pay-off of having among the strongest cavalry rosters in the game.

5. Portugal

Despite its strengths, Portugal has one of the most precarious starting positions in the game. It has two immediate, existential threats and enemies; the Moors and Spain. Not to mention that its two starting provinces are separated from one another. Until you can link them together, they are effectively isolated regions.

In order to survive, you’ll need to fend off these two threats and link your provinces together as soon as possible. Once you manage to overcome your early game threats, you’ll have a strong, defensible position in Iberia, with opportunities to expand in any direction you wish; into Europe, Italy, North Africa or even the Americas.

Strengths:

• Excellent gunpowder, infantry and cavalry units.
• Access to special gunpowder and pike units, as well as Conquistadores.

Weaknesses:

• Lacks light and missile cavalry.
• Lacks early-game units.

Play this faction if…

• You prefer taking on early-game risks for the reward of having a reliable, professional late-game army.

4. England

England boasts one of the most solid starting positions in the game. With only the Scots acting as your biggest but manageable threat, you can easily secure the British Isles and comfortably build up your cities and armies, preparing to further expand to either France or the Nordic Islands.

Strengths:

• Strong base of archer units.
• Advantageous starting position.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of heavy infantry and cavalry.

Play this faction if…

• You like playing a slow-paced, defensive game.

3. Venice

Venice, being one of the Italian city-state factions, finds itself in a similar starting situation as Milan. Large potential for growth, professional militia armies, but several enemies and delicate early game positions. Just like Milan, surviving an early Venice campaign will require diplomatic and strategic prowess, especially when it comes to using the Pope to your advantage.

Strengths:

• Strong roster of heavy infantry, crossbows and gunpowder units.
• Good militia units.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of missile cavalry.
• Relies on standard for army morale.

Play this faction if…

• You enjoy a strong starting position, with a balance of risks and prospects for growth.

2. Moors

As with most factions in Iberia, the Moors have a very active and dynamic starting position. Along with having to secure important rebel-held settlements, they immediately find themselves in conflict with Spain and Portugal for control of Iberia.

In order to thrive in a Moors campaign, you’ll have to quickly sort out this three-way war for Iberia, before you become embroiled in a grinding stalemate, with lurking enemies in Italy and Egypt on a collision course with your empire.

Strengths:

• Effective spearmen and light infantry.
• Access to Hashashim units.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of strong heavy and light cavalry.

Play this faction if…

• You enjoy fast-paced and action-oriented gameplay right off the start of your campaign.

1. Spain

As with most factions in Iberia, Spain has a very active and dynamic starting position. Along with having to secure important rebel-held settlements, they immediately find themselves in conflict with Portugal and the Moors for control over Iberia.

Just like Portugal, dealing with their two enemies and controlling Iberia will provide them with plenty of opportunities for expansion, with an army capable of handling anything thrown their way.

Strengths:

• They have strong, reliable options for every unit type except light cavalry.
• Access to Conquistadores.

Weaknesses:

• Complete lack of light cavalry.

Play this faction if…

• You have aspirations to travel to the Americas.
• You enjoy playing with strong, reliable and professional armies.

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