Best faction for a beginner?

**Egbert** · July 12, 2008, 09:39 AM

I'm kind of new to the Total War games, and so far I have really enjoyed the gameplay and level of detail. However, I always have trouble trying to find a faction that can succeed overrall, especially in the early stages of the game. I'm still getting used to tactics and strategy, and i've only had limited success in the Grand Campaign. What faction would be the easiest for a beginner (out of the original 5)?

Thank You!

P.S. I have had some success while playing as the Venetians.

**Dewy** · July 12, 2008, 09:43 AM

Got to be england for beginner ony becuase they overall best out of the 5

**Confederate Jeb** · July 12, 2008, 09:43 AM

England. It is a really good starting faction. Other than them...either Milan or Venice. Good luck to you.

**Georgy Zhukov** · July 12, 2008, 09:44 AM

England, good land, ports and the scots are push overs, I would however, recommend to download all the patches, and Welcome to TWC

**PaganLord** · July 12, 2008, 09:50 AM

My personal vote would be Sicily. Very easy to build a strong economy and a strong alliance with the papacy can really help you out (Tip: Acquire Bologna and then gift it to them so their lands make a buffer between you and Milan/ Venice. Crusades are a great tool as well especially with your proximity to north africa. Basically, if you like to turtle and just stockpile money it's pretty easy to stay out of trouble for 50-75 turns (I use 1 year turns) but at some point someone (Venice, Milan or the Moors) will start attacking you (mostly naval battles so it's not a big deal, just build some war galleys and destroy them.

**The Noble Lord** · July 12, 2008, 10:25 AM

Go for England. And maybe HRE.

**Antlion** · July 12, 2008, 10:35 AM

i would say any of the italian factions would be good (don't even remember who the starting 5 is...) don't have to worry about castles much, so you can never have to many castles.

But if you like to use castle units then ofc england is good, well rounded unit roster just like they said.

Just try them all out until you find the right factions to take the game all the way with. I still haven't found the right faction to finish the game.

**eggthief** · July 12, 2008, 10:39 AM

Starting 5 are,

England
Venice
Spain
France
HRE

U definitley should start with england, they have a strong roster and the best starting position of this list.

**Antwerpen** · July 12, 2008, 11:07 AM

I started with HRE. It is easy to play as them, just don't get too nasty for other nations. I mean, if you have half of the whole map, don't be shocked if all your neighbours attack you.

**Musthavename** · July 12, 2008, 11:20 AM

England has to be the easiest faction to start with. Taking control of the British Isles is relatively easy, and the Scots arn't exactly worldbeaters.

France & the HRE are also in a pretty solid position, but a beginner can very easily find themselves fighting on multiple fronts with these factions. Venice however has got to be a no go. Milan & Byzantium will attack you, and Sicily / HRE / Hungary can also attack you.

Spain is actually also decent starter. Its also of note of starting next to a muslim enemy, so you shouldn't really have any problems with the Pope if you can make sure to ally with Portugal, and maybe France too.

**Zadig** · July 12, 2008, 11:22 AM

Just look at my sig

**roy34543** · July 12, 2008, 11:24 AM

England is the easiest but it doesnt rpepare you as well for the harder factions. I highly suggest going spain, Its a good mix of hard and easy.

**Wibbler** · July 12, 2008, 12:32 PM

I had a hard time with England when I started, once you had the British Isles you had to turn on France who kicked my arse numerous times. I got annoyed and started a game with France instead, who I immediately took control of Europe with.

**Dewy** · July 13, 2008, 04:28 AM

Originally Posted by Wibbler

I had a hard time with England when I started, once you had the British Isles you had to turn on France who kicked my arse numerous times. I got annoyed and started a game with France instead, who I immediately took control of Europe with.

I allied with france(they still havn't backstabbed me) and attack Spain with the best navy you could think off. Nad i also attach demark and followed that up by going on foot to take they lower settlments. Nad than attach poland with my navy lol now i'm right nect to russia how nice. After all that i attacked the moors and now i have still men and going to attack france on all sides before attacking rome(they started the war after like 30 assasnations of the pope they caught one of my assassins)

I really have to go with engalnd like i said in the second post, but also have to say spain is my second chose

**gobbothegreen** · July 12, 2008, 12:53 PM

I would go against many here and say that venice is the easiest starting faction becuase they got the best Early era troops, the citys with the best economy close at hand and they don´t become worse in the late eras.

**the_mango55** · July 12, 2008, 01:00 PM

England is the easiest, because of starting position.

France has the best roster.

**eggthief** · July 12, 2008, 01:26 PM

HRE's roster is better imo

**Sargon_of_Akkad** · July 12, 2008, 01:41 PM

HRE starts in a really weak position, though. It's beset on literally all sides by powerful neighbours who start with more resources than it does. Relations aren't usually very good between them and anyone else, so it makes the game tough.

**Angrychris** · July 12, 2008, 02:07 PM

IF u are the HRE, u need to be on the offense or be prepared to be constantly attacked. (milan/venice are not ur friends)

**Celsius** · July 12, 2008, 02:10 PM

Spain'sretty good if you want to experiance it all. Your borfered by portugal,france, and the moors. Good income,military. and a very good chance of your bishop becoming the pope.