Hey guy's princeofdolalmroth here. Today I'm discussing my top 10 factions for the Grand Campaign of Midieval II Total War. As before, I will be giving, or try to give, a solid arguement for each spot on the list. Another side note for those interested, please visit my channel on youtube, princeofdolalmroth, and subscribe seeing as my main computer will soon be repaired. I will be uploading something before the month is out, so please subscribe.

10: Russia: Russia deserves the bottom spot on this list for a few obvious reasons. For starters, Russia is surrounded by factions that want it gone (Poland, Hungary, Denmark), and has the most difficult job of any faction on the map, because it has to conquer an immense amount of territory and hold it from the mongol invasion, which will be knocking on its doorstep by turn 50, if you haven't conquered all of the territory you need to by then. In addition, the overall infantry quality is absolute shit compared to other factions surrounding it, but it's cavalry is argueably the strongest of any faction in the immediate region, at least until the mongols come. Isolation is Russia's greatest strength, and can be played up at any time.

9: Venice, Milan: Venice and Milan share this spot because of two reasons. The first is that they are argueably exactly alike in aims and unit roster; there is basically no difference between them. Both have powerful enemies on their borders, including the factions themselves, which are both backstabbing in diplomacy and in terrible locations for a great victory. Nevertheless, they score higher than Russia because they are technically sheltered from the rape-horde of the mongols, making their difficulty to play as relatively easier.

8: Portugal: Portugal is in the midst of a massive struggle for the Iberian peninsula, and is not well equipped for the job. Sporting one of the finest late-game navies in the campaign, Portugal lacks in strong infantry, which is a critical handicap for any nation fighting for land dominance, as the grand campaign requires. nevertheless, Portugal's infantry and cavalry are extremely lightweight and maneuverable, giving them a decisive field advantage against regional enemies, but not against armies like England or France; they simply can't hold up in the big world.

7: Denmark: Denmark is my favorite faction to play as, besides England, because their early game Infantry and Cavalry match my fighting style, being axes and swords. I've had sieges where I set the infantry up, and did not do anything to intervene in the battle, and they still came out on top with stunning victories. Denmark has one of the most powerful economies in the game, often being the top economy on the grand campaign if you don't play as them, and their early game is better than most. On top of that, their diplomatic field is very easy to play, and is a great faction to play as for beginners.

6: Byzantine Empire: Byzantium begins the game surrounded by opponents, but poses the greatest challenge of any faction in the game. Not only do you have to start with the weakest economy EVER, you have to support the armies that defend a very spread out playing field. Still, Byzantium has a few critical advantages, one of them is that a very skilled commander (I.E., me) can grab any assortment of units and still form an impregnable wall with them. Their opening units are strong in almost any field placed in, and their Missile Cavalry is, in my eye, the most flexible cavalry organization in the game. Their navy is built for the tasks ahead, and although their diplomatic playing field is bad, it adds to the difficulty of the faction.

5: Egypt: Egypt has the greatest potential of any faction in the game, being poised to conquer a massive amount of territory in the beginning of the game, and earning money from it in the jihads it can call on turn one. Egypt's economy is superb, and rightly so, considering that it start with a few cities and large towns and capable generalship, which is further augmented by the huge bonuses given by jihads. Egypt's Infantry is built for desert combat, and excels in the region. The main handicap Egypt faces is that Crusades are likely to be repeatedly called on it's cities, and is unlikely to defend against Mongol Invasions. Still, the game rewards you with beautiful battles and music. This, coupled with the previous reasons, secures Egypt as #5 on this list.

4: Spain: Spain is one of the starting factions in the game, and has a more balanced unit roster than Portugal or Egypt. It has the greatest ability to begin maritime conquest early on, and a much better starting position than Egypt or the Byzantines politically. Spain's economy matches Sicily, Portugal, and the other Mediterranean States, but has a slighter edge in implicating it than others. Late game Spain is a maritime Monster, and it's army gets even stronger with time. It's starting moves are what dictates Spain's future, and is not the best choice for starting players.

3: England: The Top 3 Factions are difficult to decide because they in themselves are moderately difficult to play as, but have difficult tasks for the long campaign. England makes #3 on this list for a number of reasons. England is (relatively speaking) more isolated than every faction in the game, being the easiest nation to defend and attack with, due to a firm hold on the only multiple-province Island in the game, thus making it much more flexible in deciding it's opening moves. With only Scotland to contend with for control, it becomes brutally obvious on the opening maneuvers for the small nation. England has many enemies to contend with early game, but these are weeded out through wars. England's economy matches Denmark very closely, but Denmark usually has a Merchantile advantage. England's army boasts the finest infantry in the world, and while it's cavalry lacks, it is made up for in it's naval and professional might. England's diplomatic field is augmented by an excellent diplomat early, but may deteriorate over time. England is probably the easiest faction to play as as well. These reasons make England #3 on the list.

2: France: France is the Gondor of Midieval II, and appropriately so. It's infantry lack early on, but late game France is a superpower on the playing field. France's start is heavilly boosted by multiple rebel provinces surrounding it, with few rivals to contend for them. France's early-power status also makes it much, much easier to form alliances that last, though it will have to contend with the HRE later on in the game. France's economic start is sufficient for any challenge that will meet it later on. France's Cavalry are the finest in the game, and the most versatile in their roles, being able to fight any army and come out on top. Professionality comes in the later parts of the game with the Academies, but by that time France will have a dominating hold on Europe. France is also capable of forming crusading armies very early on, something players can capitalize on if you seek favor with the pope. These reasons make France #2, but not at the top of the list because France is choked by late-game incompetency and huge amounts of hostility.

1: Holy Roman Empire: The HRE is the Strongest Mid-game faction in the game, and rightly so, because it's ability to blitz the surrounding rebel providences is immense. By turn 20, most player can easily sit back on 25+ provinces under their control. The Economy of the HRE relies on city taxes and agriculture, something the HRE has plenty of early on. It's army is strong all around, not having many weaknesses except for an overall basic strength of units. The diplomatic field is ripe for meddeling, allowing alliances with ease and pacts with skill. The Factions surrounding the HRE are mostly small, so if you love to conquer, the HRE is your man. It can take on all of Italy and the east early on if it needs to. Spiritually, the HRE needs works, but that's the downside of controlling the greatest faction in Europe.