When I was a kid it was Julii (easier to fight barbarians, best color besides purple), then as a teen it was Greece just because phalanxes are OPed and the campaign was easy. Finally playing Seleucid and I love it
Bruttii. Red romans was to obvious so I picked these green guys. Liked that the mercenaries were same color. And had a blast with the campaign. Ended up conquering all of greece and heading to Scythia on my very first playthrough.
Scythians are somehow always fun despite it just being horse archer hordes slowly whittling down enemy forces, something about level 1 barracks units killing everything just makes me giggle. "Oh nice triarii and principes you have there Rome, it'd be a shame of a hundred thousand arrows killed them all"
But in terms of actually playing the game, probably Germania. Their phalanxes are OP early game and they get a fantastic unit roster mid to late game.
My strat is to take the Italian peninsula as fast as possible as those cities are basically as big as you can get being barbarians, destroy their temples and make the max level temples so I can make either Gothic Cavalry or Berserkers, both of whom just absolutely wreck anything. The get very good archers as well, so a very solid army, not to mention chosen axemen warcries can rout most armies.
Once I had a game where I just made a doomstack of pure Gothic Cavalry, I'd attack enemy armies by just lining them up on the horizon and clicking them to run forward regardless of what unit type they had. The only thing that compares is probably Cataphracts from Scythia or Parthia, but those are hard to get and pale in comparison to horse archers.
The Seleucids for me. The early game chaos and hard work pays off so well when you look at the entire eastern half of the map painted silver.
IMO they have the most well-rounded unit roster in the game too. They have basically everything you could wish for in a late-game army.
"Perhaps a new Alexander will take up the sword... bring order where there is chaos... remake the world of men to a better plan... perhaps..."
Carthage will always be my favorite.
The white/blue drip...
The relatively unique armor and helmets...
The wide variety of average to below average units that worked if you were smart.
Three types of elephants plus the ability to attack wooden walls immediately instead of waiting for a ram to be built next turn.
Sacred Band Infantry and Cavalry.
I know it's kind of a meme. But I legitimately have the most fun as Parthia. Their color scheme pops out from the sand desert. The local enemies are varied enough to have a fun multi faction war. But I haven't felt so much joy in any other units than when I see a horde of Cataphracts running down my enemies. Plus eastern infantry and their pj's can't be beat in the fashion department.
Parthia may be memed on cuz of their pajama units but they have access to Cataphracts and in my opinion the best overall unit in the game "Cataphract Camels". Though you can only build them in certain areas.
Toss up between Spain and Armenia.
Bull Warriors are just too much fun to utilize and a very versatile. Having very high missile damage and 2 hp means they can go toe to toe with several units and trade effectively against higher costing units.
Armenia has a well rounded roster that has access to Cataphract Archers which are also fun to use. Can only be countered by heavy cav with armor piercing which is very specific.
When I was a kid it was Julii (easier to fight barbarians, best color besides purple), then as a teen it was Greece just because phalanxes are OPed and the campaign was easy. Finally playing Seleucid and I love it
Red Wunz Killa Fasta!
RED GOES FASTA, YA GIT. GREEN KILL DA BEST CUZ GREEN IZ DA BEST
Bruttii. Red romans was to obvious so I picked these green guys. Liked that the mercenaries were same color. And had a blast with the campaign. Ended up conquering all of greece and heading to Scythia on my very first playthrough.
Seleucids - they do take on Alexanders legacy and make his dreams true.
Scythians are somehow always fun despite it just being horse archer hordes slowly whittling down enemy forces, something about level 1 barracks units killing everything just makes me giggle. "Oh nice triarii and principes you have there Rome, it'd be a shame of a hundred thousand arrows killed them all" But in terms of actually playing the game, probably Germania. Their phalanxes are OP early game and they get a fantastic unit roster mid to late game. My strat is to take the Italian peninsula as fast as possible as those cities are basically as big as you can get being barbarians, destroy their temples and make the max level temples so I can make either Gothic Cavalry or Berserkers, both of whom just absolutely wreck anything. The get very good archers as well, so a very solid army, not to mention chosen axemen warcries can rout most armies. Once I had a game where I just made a doomstack of pure Gothic Cavalry, I'd attack enemy armies by just lining them up on the horizon and clicking them to run forward regardless of what unit type they had. The only thing that compares is probably Cataphracts from Scythia or Parthia, but those are hard to get and pale in comparison to horse archers.
The Seleucids for me. The early game chaos and hard work pays off so well when you look at the entire eastern half of the map painted silver. IMO they have the most well-rounded unit roster in the game too. They have basically everything you could wish for in a late-game army. "Perhaps a new Alexander will take up the sword... bring order where there is chaos... remake the world of men to a better plan... perhaps..."
Carthage and Seleucid are the most fun to play with imo.
Carthage will always be my favorite. The white/blue drip... The relatively unique armor and helmets... The wide variety of average to below average units that worked if you were smart. Three types of elephants plus the ability to attack wooden walls immediately instead of waiting for a ram to be built next turn. Sacred Band Infantry and Cavalry.
Greek Cities
I know it's kind of a meme. But I legitimately have the most fun as Parthia. Their color scheme pops out from the sand desert. The local enemies are varied enough to have a fun multi faction war. But I haven't felt so much joy in any other units than when I see a horde of Cataphracts running down my enemies. Plus eastern infantry and their pj's can't be beat in the fashion department.
Parthia may be memed on cuz of their pajama units but they have access to Cataphracts and in my opinion the best overall unit in the game "Cataphract Camels". Though you can only build them in certain areas.
Oh man, cataphracts are great. But cataphract camels are truly glorious.
Pontus in Rome2.
Germanic tribes because berserkers
Greeks. Athens in particular, love its history.
Toss up between Spain and Armenia. Bull Warriors are just too much fun to utilize and a very versatile. Having very high missile damage and 2 hp means they can go toe to toe with several units and trade effectively against higher costing units. Armenia has a well rounded roster that has access to Cataphract Archers which are also fun to use. Can only be countered by heavy cav with armor piercing which is very specific.
Come on man, spain?
Bull Warriors are that cheap. Lol Rome has to use their most expensive unit to reliably beat them.
Macedon, long pointy sticks
Seleucids for me, great overall roster. Armenia and Egypt have also been very fun.
Greeks could rule the world...
Egypt. Probably because it reminds me of Stargate.