Which faction gives the greatest challenge to a player?

[ooji]

I want to feel overwhelmed and completely surrounded from all sides by enemies. I want to actually feel where the AI might destroy my empire. On the start-up page, it says Pahlava is very challenging, but I somehow doubt it. They only start with 2 provinces and can easily expand around. I don't like the idea of playing as Armenia or Arabs because I want to have heavy infantry. So far, the only option I have is Selecuid empire. Any other suggestions?

[Marly]

Baktria are intense and the hardest 'settled faction' campaign IMO. Koinon Hellenon for the uninitiated have a brutal start and weak late game units.

I find the Seleucids to be okay, they're stretched but too huge to ever be truely in danger as the player.

[Ownager]

Epirus is pretty good. Romans on the Left, Makedonians and Greeks on the Right, Getai in the north, you are pretty much stuck. The only greek(ish) faction I haven't completed.

[Stath's]

Since you don't want Armenia (i conisder it the hardest), then Baktria.

[Frtigern]

I find AS easy, if you know what you're doing. Pontos can be challenging. Same for KH and a little less for Macedon. But Pontos has Hayasdan, AS, Ptolemaioi, and Macedon nearby to contend with. Getai and Sauromatae can join in the mix soon too.

[athanaric]

I don't like the idea of playing as Armenia or Arabs because I want to have heavy infantry.

Both of them most definitely have heavy infantry, but admittedly Saba's infantry severely lacks armour and sheer power compared to other factions. Hayasdan has heavy swordsmen and elite heavy infantry, plus access to Hellenistic heavy units and Persian Hoplites.

Other than that, there are basically four categories:
- Factions that are difficult in early game, but easier in mid-to-late game (all Greek factions except for Ptolemies, also Gauls, Lusotannan, Pontos, Pahlava, Hayasdan),
- Factions that are easier in early game,but get more difficult later on due to having many enemies, or being inferior in terms of economy or roster (Casse, Swêboz, Getai, Saba),
- Factions that are relatively easy (Rome, Carthage, Egypt),
- Factions that are relatively difficult throughout the game (Saka and Sauromatae). The reason I've listed them as difficult is
a) because they are difficult at the start, and while once you get used to their units and fighting style, beating everyone else in battle is easy,
b) that still doesn't make your economy any less terrible. These two can run into serious problems if you overstretch your empire somehow.

I find AS easy, if you know what you're doing. Pontos can be challenging. Same for KH and a little less for Macedon. But Pontos has Hayasdan, AS, Ptolemaioi, and Macedon nearby to contend with. Getai and Sauromatae can join in the mix soon too.

Yeah well but for people who're new to playing the respective faction, all of them can be very hard at the beginning.

Pontos is relatively easy in late game because while their roster isn't stellar, if you have all of Anatolia, you'll get immensely rich and you'll be able to fend off all enemies.

[ooji]

Hmm, what makes Baktria difficult? I mean don't they have only 1 front to work with vs Parthia and Selecuid empire? I guess Armenia can be difficult early game with pretty much garbage units.

[Stath's]

There some threads explaining why Baktria is considered difficult. I had to play (and abandon) 4 campaigns with them (on VH/H) until i learnt what to do.

[Samariten]

Try out Saka they can get you a challenging start.

[Sint]

Baktria is diffult on VH because the Seleucids usually survive and they ,Saka and Pahlava will send dozens of stacks against you.
It's far easier on H or lower difficult levels because the Seleucids have other problems(getting raped by the Ptolemies) and will often leave you alone.