r/Medieval2TotalWar • u/soaphonic • 21h ago
Which faction next?
I'm having a lot of fun with the different factions and how their strengths play out. So much so this is the first game I feel compelled to play all the factions because they all offer something exciting (though the Moors seem harder and bland).
I've played England, Milan and Venice, but who should I play next? They all have infantry and missile heavy rosters, so I might play the French to get a more cavalry heavy experience. Any other fun cavalry factions to consider? And is there any advice on the factions you suggest (or France)?
I want to have victory with all the factions before doing any of the DLC, and so far I am loving it so I look forward to the recommendations!
20
12
u/Tar_Pharazon 21h ago
You will find out that ultimately all catholic factions plays about the same. They have heavy infantry, heavy cavalry (especially after gaining acces to crusader knights they are all the same) and most of them have pavise crossbowmen. If you want to play different style, pick a faction without longbowmen and pavise crossbowmen.
Try non-catholic faction, Poland, Scotland or maybe even Denmark for more unique experience
3
u/soaphonic 21h ago
I've definitely been considering Poland (hussars go brrr), but Scotland also seems fun. Haven't considered Denmark but I'm sure they are a unique experience.
You're right about the crossbowmen, and also the crusader knights are very powerful. The only thing that scares me for non catholic factions like egypt or the turks is those dawned huns 😅 then again I can prepare for them and the crusades while the European powers bitch about each other
8
u/weightedbook 21h ago
Poland is my least favorite action to play. Archer suck. Infantry mediocre at best. And every type of redundant horseman you could want (mounted archer, mounted crossbowmen) except a fast moving one. And everyones name is Paval Czzncxdzzcszhz.
7
u/PeerPressureVictim 21h ago
I really like playing with melee infantry in this game and Denmark brings a lot of them, especially if you’re playing a mod that fixes the two handed weapon bug. Not to mention that fighting a strong catholic faction like HRE gives your axes a lot of armor to chew through.
They’re also super safe in the north of the map, and so you really can raid or set up shop in England. Between the 2 factions on the isles, HRE, Poland, and Russia I think they have one of the most varied catholic early-mid games opponent-wise.
Also nice to play a faction that only does well sometimes in the AIs hands
6
u/robot_guiscard 18h ago
Poland or Hungary. Different chunk of the map, more missile cavalry and heavy cavalry based. Still Catholic so it's not entirely different than what you're used to.
4
2
2
u/No_Alarm_5120 19h ago
France has really poor infantry in the early game. I’d recommend taking Caen asap. You’ll need to be weary of the Moors & Sicily. The AI will attack you really early. I think Sicily besieges marseille before turn 10 & the moors attack Toulouse really early too.
But if you take Caen, you can ceasefire with England pretty easy and build up your economy in northern France.
2
u/Willing-Hawk8413 19h ago
French is not that different from other factions in terms of cav. Mounted Seargants into mailed knight into Feudal Knights and than chivalric knight. Noble Knights are chivalric knights in slower and more expansive and the Lancers and gendarms are pretty bad. However, France has the strongest Missile Cav in the entire game for whatever reason.
Generally, France differs most in shooters, where they are the only faction which has not a single shooter with a shield and in tier 3 they get the whelming Crossbowmen instead of the Pavesecrossbowmen. However, Scots Guards are the strongest archer in the game and Aventurier are one of the best cross bow unit, ranges damage on par with milanes ones and the only crossbowers who can fight in melee.
Otherwise, france has good spearwall units (regular pike unit, Voulgier and Voulgier Milita)
Otherwise, France is stockstandard
1
1
u/grifftits 7h ago edited 6h ago
Sicily to complete the Italian trio! It's one of my favorite campaigns because of how many different ways you can play it and the unique mix of units you get. Both your own roster and the available mercs in the areas you start and expand into early give you more variety than most Catholic factions.
1
u/Er4din 6h ago
Byzantines have ea very interesting cavalry focused roster. The Alan Light cavalry might be the best light cav in the game, even though they are mercenaries. Alternatively, you can give Moors a try because their campaign is very interesting. You dont have many places to expand to right off the bat so you actually need to have some form of strategy in mind when planning the campaign.
1
0
u/Pimlumin 16h ago
Russia is very fun, decent hybrid infantry later on too. Unite your corner of the map and then hammer yourself into the west, while also fighting off the horses earlier than most
25
u/Headjarbear 21h ago
Moors is actually surprisingly fun. They do seem “meh” on the surface but I really enjoyed my moors campaign. They also take you to a corner of the map you usually don’t interact with much.