New Campaign

[GhostFace]

For starters I would like to say I have been away from SS for over a year now, I know, it almost borders on heresy, right? and I have started two new campaigns, Denmark and KoA ( this keeps me from loosing interest). I would also like to start a third camapign, I'm looking at either one of the 'Italian' factions or one of the orthodox factions. Any suggestions? Or how bout something in the Levant?
The one problem with SS is that all factions have their appeal and I need some direction.

[Gogolometro]

Venice. Good start, great units, good money. Perfect for start.

[Siddyus]

I know how you feel man. I've been back and fro playing SS too. Only recently I've started to play SS again. Anyways, I suggest Novgorod. Good location, respectable units, and not too many deadly enemies. Just watch out for the Mongols though. But, thats still in the far future and im pretty sure you'll be up for the challenge

[meese]

More specifically, what are you looking for?

Each of the three Italian factions has the potential to become a real money maker.

Venice's appeal largely comes from its late special units especially the archers. It doesn't fare particularly well in the beginning however compared to Genoa and Sicily who have better units and don't need to fight the Byzantines.

Genoa obviously gets the genoese crossbows very early which are great for both ranged combat and melee combat. Else, they're more of your stock western european faction in a somewhat safe place if you play your diplomatic cards right. That said, they're not difficult in the traditional sense unless you do what I did and ignored the warnings of the pope.

Sicily are even more of an early faction with muslim archers and norman knights. In the later eras, they're also the only italian faction with access to sword and buckler men who are great light infantry. Their other selling point is their great position, though Palermo does seem to have jihads called on it every now and then.

The Russians are fun and a nice change from western factions while retaining relatively heavy armour. The only problem especially with Novgorod are the long travel times and pretty slow start if you play the early campaign.

[GhostFace]

Anyone got anything good to sat about Fatimid or Moors?

[meese]

I'm not much of a fan of them because their units just look a bit bland.

Gameplay wise, both are economic powerhouses. The Moors in the early era have a more interesting start I think given that they have to contend with Christian factions by themselves while the Fatamids have it easy except in crusade situations. The Moors get pretty standard units with nothing particularly spectacular except camel gunners and the urban militias who are great city troops. The Fatamids have a more professional roster with mamluks which are great and tabadariyya who are fun two-handed axemen. Good archers too.

[Siddyus]

I'd say if you are more into the challenge. I'd suggest you play the Moors. In about 50++ turns you'll be at war with half of the christian factions. Watch out for Sicily and Genoa for they'll be doing D-Day invasions of your African realm while the whole of Iberia will drive you back to where you came from. As for the Fatimids, as what meese said, besides the sporadic crusades. Its pretty much an easy campaign. And you'll be defending only the Levant areas since thats where all the action are.

[Callawyn]

Play a faction you've never tried before, in a part of the map you almost never play on.

I ignored Hungary forever, finally played them simply because I never had, and now they're one of my favorite factions.

Also, play certain factions to learn unit types you haven't mastered yet. Like, Scotland for Pikes, or any of the factions in Spain to learn foot javelins.