Most powerful non-playable faction?

[CivFan]

I was just staring at the map, as I remember games past it got me thinking. There was always one non-playable or one minor faction that would always come out of no where and dominate the map. which minor faction do you think will become the most powerful or provide the biggest challenge, and why?



I believe it will be Syracuse. Despite being in a tough spot I think it has interesting potential. It has a rare chance to benefit from two super powers cracking each others skulls until they have little to defend themselves with.

[Aelita]

Syracuse did pretty well for a while in Jacks Macedon play through, I think Armenia, Baktria or Cremia could become powerhouses since they start with a lot of land (I think Armenia and Bactria will be DLC after the steppe pack) Should Cyrenia manage to beat out Egypt it could be powerful, Finaly if any of the British tribes beat out the Icini they have a lot of potential

[Lieutenant Sharpe]

Seleucids before they become playable. Otherwise I don't think many of the non playables will become much of a powerhouse, unless a barbarian faction manages to make a massive confederation.

[Pontic Pontus]

Persia has a lot of land, a lot of friendly co-client states of the seleucid empire and only one little nation to focus all it's forces on(media), and the Estrucan league can attack the Romans when they're too busy fighting Carthage or the other way around(Sardinia)

[ShadowMassa]

Seleucids as someone stated, that's only before they become playable. I would say Armenia, Baktria and Pergamon on the top 3 spots but in no particular order.

[Post Hoc]

Baktria

[General David]

Other than the factions mentioned on this thread, a couple of the Seleucid vassals such as Persia are quite large so they may become powerful in the East. I'd also mention the Etruscans, because they actually have a strong chance to wipe out Rome early on - that really happened in one of the trailers released by CA.

[Comrade_Rory]

Eblani.

[ShadowMassa]

Throw in Numidians, Nabataeans, Sabaeans, and Syracuse also...

[omzdog]

Historically probably Syracuse.
Anywhere around the Eastern Mediterranean was buzzing with activity.

[Kinjo]

Bactria has 4 regions and Armenia has 3 so they both have a pretty good start.

[omzdog]

Sure but all landlocked.
If I have Bactria right on the map.

[Kinjo]

Bactria might be landlocked but they control two entire provinces so they can use edicts plus they have a gold mine.

[Aelita]

I would add that in adition to having 3 and 4 reigons respectively Armenia has a full province and bactria has 2 meaning they can issue edicts. Armenia has essay access to the black sea (only one reigon away) and while bactria likely to remain landlocked it is at the edge of the map giving it a secure position, I wont be suprised if in many campaigns Armenia kills Pontus or Bactria Kills Parthia

[Kamos]

Cimmeria controls 3 regions giving it one province. It sits right on the Black Sea in a fairly defensible position near many one region minors.
Only real competition is from Armenia and Pontus who have bigger concerns. Could be a lot of fun seeing what they could cook up.

[stanley86]

Looking at the regions held at the start of the campaign it could be:
Baktria - 4 regions, 2 provinces
Armenia - 3 regions, 1 province
Cimmeria - 3 regions, 1 province
Cyrenaica - 3 regions
Maybe Garamantia - 2 regions, 1 province as well as Boii or Lugii - both also have 2 regions, 1 province.
From the smaller factions I think maybe Getae or one of the Iberian tribes, like Cantabri or Lusitani.
I'm not counting in Seleucids. They'll probably be powerful, but are almost-playable

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Kamos]

There's another 2 region 1 province minor faction just south of Baktria that's not a client, Arachosia. Doubt they'll be powerful considering the neighbors but they could be.

Depending on the strength of alliances Helvetii, Raeti and Nori + Vivisci, Canatbri and Cesseitani could do interesting things.

[Aelita]

Cimmeria controls 3 regions giving it one province. It sits right on the Black Sea in a fairly defensible position near many one region minors.
Only real competition is from Armenia and Pontus who have bigger concerns. Could be a lot of fun seeing what they could cook up.

True but don't forget they boarder Scythia who will become playable eventually that could be a problem

[stanley86]

It all depends whether those alliances could be forged into strong confederation. Small nations, even allied, should be easier to defeat than a confederation. We'll see how it works out.

[omzdog]

Your avatar plus the word confederation is not inviting.
I assume thats self-portrait?