Easiest: An Irish Minor (Munster)
Most Potential: Scotland
Most Rewarding: A Welsh Minor

Any Kingdom in the Isles has the potential to expand rapidly within the first fifty years of the game through a careful combination of diplomacy and war. However at the start date of 1066, the British Isles are in a state of turmoil which can easily be capitalised on by any ruler.

England

The most populous and largest of the nations in Britain in 1066, but faced with two invasions, England as the Saxon King Harold is one of the hardest, if not most satisfying nations to play. Initial survival for Saxon England comes from strategic marriages, preferably with the HRE. You cannot win both wars, and as such you will need an alliance with the HRE in order to survive the first 2 years in game. With the invasions defeated, England has a myriad of opportunities in which to expand, and often the Welsh and Irish minors are an easily way of obtaining land. Only look off shore when the Isles have been completely subdued, but England often has an excellent opportunity late game to conquer much of Western Europe.

Pros:

• Large army and Coastal provinces make for easy late game invasions
  
• Large revenues in the early game in comparison to other nations
  
• Removed from the possibilities of Holy War's, other than crusades

Cons:

• Difficult to survive in the first three years or so
  
• Detached from any continental duchy claims
  
• Poorer rivals and a diverse mix of cultures may make conquest troublesome.

Scotland

The most stable nation in the early game, Scotland has the opportunity to expand into English territory during the inevitable rebellions formed by the Conquest of England. Scotland faces little internal opposition from dukes and the duchy of the Isles is an easy conquest target initially, as are the North Eastern provinces of Ireland. Although lacking in any major profits, if Scotland can overcome England then the British Isles are ripe for the taking. Warfare is a more viable option for Scotland than that of diplomatic marriages, and the capitalisation on rebellions are the most useful way of expanding the Kingdom.

Pros:

• Stable government with little opposition
  
• Weak neighbours with aligning cultures
  
• The inevitable rebellions facing England leave it divided and weak

Cons:

• Low revenue
  
• Weaker army in terms of all out wars with England and Norway
  
• Few provinces

Welsh Minors

The Welsh minors have one of the hardest games of any CK2 country. With extremely low revenue and army size, the Welsh will always be conquered during the 1100's. The only way to stand any chance as a Welsh minor is to first unify the country, and then expand onto mainland Europe. Brittany is the advisable aim of this conquest and after this, expansion into Iberia can give Wales a good base from which to expand into the Mediterranean.

Pros:

• Able to take Brittany early in the game after unification.

Cons:

• Very Small armies and few provinces
  
• Bordered by England who will attack eventually
  
• Small families do not give much leeway in terms of marriages.

Irish Minors

The Irish Minors can offer one of the easiest introductions to CK2, due to possible expansion both militarily and diplomatically. All of the minors have good initial starting provinces and all can claim the Kingdom of Ireland quite easily. In the early game, mercenaries must be relied upon to take provinces, but when a sustainable levy is reached Ireland is easily unified. From there it is often easier to stay away from the Isles and look towards the smaller kingdoms of Iberia and the Mediterranean.

Pros:

• All the minors are equal in strength
  
• Isolation from Britain

Cons:

• None in the early game, if not unified later Scotland and England may attack.

Easiest: France
Most Potential: Brittany
Most Rewarding: Provence

The countries that consist of Western Europe are the easiest large nations to play in the entirety of the game. With unlimited potential and strong armies France and the HRE always dominate the game from a very early stage. However playing these countries calls for a greater understanding of diplomacy and all importantly how to manage vassal-liege relations.


France

Why is it that in every Paradox grand strategy game ever made, with the notable exception of the HOI series, France always steamrolls Europe. France in CK2 has an enviable position with huge armies and extremely large revenue. Playing as France calls for no great skill other than an ability to manipulate your dynasty and conquer Europe. However the position as the king of France calls for the ability to negotiate with vassals and survive an inane amount of Succession wars. Better still, playing as a French duke can easily guide a player through the ins and outs of intrigue as well as balancing conquest. France is the most versatile nation in the game and as such it suites any playing style.

Pros:

• Huge armies and exorbitant amounts of profit
  
• Start as a child, offers you the possibility to forge your own kingdom
  
• Good opportunities during Crusades

Cons:

• Cannot expand easily into the HRE
  
• If William takes England then Normandy is lost to the English
  
• Vassal dukes often squabble and bicker amongst themselves

Brittany
Brittany is one of the most enjoyable countries to play as in CK2. As Brittany cannot conquer France it must look to either Iberia or North Africa to expand its empire. Although limited by smaller armies, Brittany can easily become a leading World power in fifty years. Any combination of game styles are possible with Brittany and often the more audacious the conquest, the more promising the outcome will be. However in the early game maintain strong relations with France either by gifts or marriages to insure that your growth is not hindered by the 'Blue Menace'

Pros:

• Easy expansion by sea
  
• France has no de jure claims on Brittany

Cons:

• Small army to begin with and small treasury
  
• Not many initial marriage opportunities

HRE

The Omnipresent armies of the HRE may seem an instant ticket to victory for many players but due to a combination of elective succession and a myriad of vassals the Kaiser of the HRE is a character governed by the whim of his vassals. It is far easier playing as a duke in the HRE or even the challenge of the von Hapsburg baron to emperor scenario, but the two most interesting dukes/duchesses to play as are:

Provence

Provence is a duchy perfectly situated to create the kingdom of Burgundy as well as conquering the northern Mediterranean. The goal for the Duke of Provence is to form the Kingdom of Burgundy as swiftly as possible, which in itself is not a truly daunting task. From there It must declare independance from the HRE in order to create a sizeable kingdom. Marriages are an integral part of playing as a duke in the HRE, and marriages with the Lorraine's and the Italian counts is necessary to create a Kingdom that is able to rival that of France. Also the conquest of North Africa may give the player time in a war against the HRE and may form a base from which to strike Sicily and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Pros:

• Safety which is provided by the HRE
  
• Surrounded by counts who are easily conquered
  
• Marriages can give 'huge tracts of land' without the necessity of inheriting Swamp Castle

Cons:

• Must eventually declare independence
  
• the HRE can veto your title, tread carefully
  
• Caught between France and the HRE

Tuscany

With the possibility of forming the kingdom of Italy, Tuscany offers great rewards for persistence and strategic marriages. However, due to the size of Italy, Tuscany must move quickly to gain as much land as it can before wars between vassals are stopped. Tuscany must therefore aim to obtain Sicily or some other Kingdom before the unification of Italy can be achieved . Marriages are the most important aspect of a game as Tuscany and every one of your sons must wed to increase your holdings in Italy and the Southern Half of the HRE.

Pros:

• Potential to form a very large Kingdom
  
• Good amount of initial troops
  
• Conquest of Merchant republics bolsters the treasury

Cons:

• Divided Navy on both sides of the peninsular
  
• Very sporadic provence allotment
  
• Must declare independence from the HRE eventually

Apulia

Apulia is the country best situated for expansion into the Eastern Medditerranean and Northern Africa in the Early game ftom the Italian Peninsular. After the conquest of Sicily and the creation of the aforesaid kingdom, minor Muslim Nations are an easy target for rapid expansion with the use of the Holy War casus belli. With limited vassals and the oportunity to offer vassilation to Naples, etc. after the formation of Sicily, Apulia can quickly grow to a major power. However be wary of the Byzantine Empire's claims to Southern Italy, as they are more than happy to take them off your hands if their current position is good.

Pros:

• Rapid Expansion
  
• Ease of access to Africa and the Middle East
  
• Large armies offer quick conquest of Sicily

Cons:

• Byzantine Empire may declare war to reclaim their provinces, often does not eventuate

Easiest: León
Most Challenging: Aragon
Most Rewarding: Barcelona

The Iberian Peninsular in 1066 is a land of petty Christian kingdoms fighting the relentless advance of the Moorish tribes. Thus to play as a Spanish king often takes more good luck than skill and the utilisation of familial ties. A game as a Spanish king also requires the predominance of warfare, so a strong army and treasury is a necessity.

León

The kingdom of León is the largest of the Christian kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsular. It starts the game at peace, but as with many of the other kingdoms in Spain will become subject to conquest by the Moors. For León to grow it must work in conjuncture with Galicia and Castille, both branches of the Jimena family to attack the Moors. These three kingdoms can in the early game recover vast swathes of land when used as allies. As with the traditional Reconquista the main form of conquest for León is in the Iberia peninsular.

Pros:

• Excellent family ties
  
• Strong Army

Cons:

• Outnumbered individually
  
• Small navy

Galicia

Galicia is in much the same position as León at 1066, however it has one main advantage over the other Spanish kingdoms. Galicia's provinces all border the Atlantic giving it a large navy. This navy can be used to both shuttle troops to battle and to protect them from it. Conquest of the Balearics and North Africa can protect Galicia from total annihilation. However its main conquest must lie within the Iberian Peninsular, as León's does.


Pros:

• Large Navy
  
• Strong Family ties
  
• Good revenue

Cons:

• Outnumbered individually
  
• Smaller army than that of León or Castille

Barcelona

The duchy of Barcelona is on of the most interesting factions that border the Mediterranean. It gives good conquest ability down the Eastern Spanish coast as well as access to the rest of the Mediterranean. Also, as it has de jure claims on many of the Muslim nations of Iberia, it can declare wars without incurring the wrath of the entirety of the Islamic world. However one detracting feature is that of the Kingdom of Aragon. As the title is already held by an OPM, you can only claim it through warfare, which is something that is not so desirable given the situation in Spain in 1066.

Pros:

• Strong Navy
  
• De jure claims early in the game

Cons:

• Does not control a Kingdom
  
• May come into conflict with France

The Byzantine Empire is without a doubt the Largest, Strongest, Most Difficult and Most Rewarding Christian nation to play in CK2. In 1066 the Empire is in the midst of a war with the Seljuk Turks over Armenia. This is the first obstacle that must be overcome in order to restore the Empire to its former glory. The Byzantine Empire is unique in the number of de jure claims in holds. This provides a great deal of flexibility as to the direction that the Empire takes in its conquest. Also startling is the amount of troops that the Empire can muster at the start of the game. Eclipsing all other nations with its army size, it would seem that Byzantium is an easier choice to play as. However, the main feature of the Empire is the ability of its vassals to never agree to anything. Succession Wars include more troops than the entirety of Britain could muster, and each of your sons is eagerly awaiting his imminent ascension to the throne. They are born to the purple but die by the sword. This factionalism in the Empire is the greatest detriment to all plans for conquest. If the player takes the traditional borders of the Eastern Roman empire established under the reign of Justinian, then they will have to contend with both the Fatimids and the Seljuks. If the player wishes to reform the Western Roman Empire then they are faced by the HRE and France. Either way, conquest is long and bloody. The best option at the beginning of the game is to focus on Sicily, Spain and North Africa. Divided kingdoms give a great opportunity to form vassal kings from sons, relatives etc. Who said nepotism was dead! Given the magnitude of vassals, give kingdoms away quickly as it centralises your armies and navies. The ultimate goal of the Empire however is to reform the Roman Empire and the install the five pentarchs, thus declaring Catholicism an Orthodox heresy. When these goals are completed the Roman Empire is the games only superpower, and is unstoppable in its conquest of the known world.

Pros:

• Huge Army
  
• Enormous amounts of Land
  
• Claims on most of Eastern Europe, Egypt and the Levant
  
• Emperor, can have vassal kings
  
• High Crown laws
  
• Possibility to make the Roman Empire

Cons:

• Every vassal hates you when you succeed to the throne
  
• Must face the four largest powers to regain the Empire

Norway

Norway is the largest of the Christian Scandinavian countries at the start of the 1066 campaign and as such holds the position to dominate the early game. Due to the ongoing war with England and the claims that branch from that, Norway, if it avoids direct combat with England and Normandy, may become the kings of England as well. This although it is a difficult feat is not impossible and strategic marriages with France or the HRE may be in order to maintain your military capabilities. The predominance of Naval provinces affords Norway the largest of the Scandinavian navies. However due to the elective succession laws, placation of vassals is in order to maintain power as King for successive generations.

Pros:

• At war with an under strength England
  
• Pagan OPM's may be converted and vassalised
  
• Large Navy

Cons:

• Elective succession laws
  
• Open to Pagan raids etc. unless war is first declared.

Sweden

Sweden has an interesting position in Scandinavia for a number of reasons. Surrounded by the Norse, Finnish and Baltic Pagan nations, Sweden has the opportunity for early expansion. However this proximity also opens the door to Holy Wars and raiding from these Pagan nations. However, as Sweden borders no major European nations in 1066, attacks from the HRE, France and the Russian Principalities are not an immediate issue. For its size, Sweden has a fairly large army and an average sized navy, allowing for the possibility of the quick conquest of the Baltic and Finnish States.

Pros:
Pagan OPM's
Fair sized army
Not bordered by any major nations

Cons:
Raiding and other unfortunate Viking past times.

Denmark

Denmark has the most precarious position of all the Christian Scandinavian nations. Perched above the HRE, Denmark must make firm alliances with the Kaiser to maintain their independence. Luckily, the King of Denmark hadn't been doing much reading up until 1066, and there are a plethora of children at your dynastic disposal. This provides an excellent basis for marital expansion, making up for Denmark's relatively small army. Also useful is the duchy of Pommerania, which if taken quickly enough secures your place on Mainland Europe, and further expansion east.

Pros:

• Myriad of Children
  
• Strategically important position
  
• Large Navy

Cons:

• Borders the HRE
  
• Little opportunity for expansion North or South

Eastern Europe offers little in the way of expansionist game play but makes up in the way diplomatic marriages are key to success. Bordered on one side by the HRE and the other with the Russian principalities and the Byzantine Empire, playing as an Eastern European country takes patience and skill. Players must balance between the growing powers around them to ultimately form a kingdom before the Golden Horde arrives in Europe.

Croatia

Croatia is the luckiest of the Eastern European countries in a number of ways. A border to the Mediterranean offers the distinct possibility of Naval expansion. however with claims in Croatia held by both the Byzantines and the Venetians, Croatia must act quickly in order to have amassed an army capable of dealing with either one of these threats. A small vassal count is one of the other positive factors that Croatia holds and as such succession should not become an issue until later in the game. For Croatia, diplomatic marriages offer the best early game expansion possibly into Hungary of Sicily/Italy, to give provinces that may not be Byzantine de jure.

Pros:

• Ocean border
  
• Small vassal count

Cons:

• De jure territory of the Byzantines and Venetians
  
• Few allies
  
• Small treasury

Hungary

The largest of the Eastern European countries is also the most volatile, offering a great range of game play opportunities. Hungary is landlocked unless invasion of Croatia or the Pagan tribes to the East are conducted. It is imperative that Hungary reach the water for a number of reasons. When the Golden Horde arrives in Europe Hungary generally bears the brunt of the assault. Also internal discontent can cripple the country in the later game. Whilst the HRE generally does not attack Hungary, it is still a possibility that must be accounted for. Beneficial for Hungary would be the creating of Bulgaria, as you can declare holy wars for the areas that it encompasses. This gives both a route to the sea, and takes the provinces from the Byzantine Empire, which in turn lessens the chances of them attacking Hungary. However war with the Cumans should be avoided as long as possible as it leads to the accumulation of worthless provinces which are taken by the Mongols anyway.

Pros:

• Large amount of land
  
• Strong army
  
• Child ruler in 1066

Cons:

• No navy
  
• A plethora of vassals
  
• Relatively small revenue base

Poland

Poland is in a unique position in 1066. It is surrounded by weak OPM with pagan religion. If Poland acts quickly it can easily conquer these OPM's and control much of the Baltic coastline. With this achieved Scandinavia can be taken quickly and the Republic of Gotland neutralised. For a player as Poland it may be a good idea to create a vassal republic on the Baltic coastline after Gotland has been dealt with. This plan works twofold. Firstly it increases your coffer as well as increasing the republics influence unhindered. As the AI does not create vassal republics existing ones, centred around the Mediterranean grow unchecked. From here Poland may choose to either invade Russia or Hungary to the South. However be wary of the initial wars against the Pagans as the HRE and Sweden often have the same idea as you have.

Pros:

• Surrounded by Pagan OPM's
  
• Few vassals

Cons:

• No starting navy
  
• Bordered by the HRE

The Russian Principalities have the ability to become the largest Kingdoms in CK2. Dominated by the Rurikovich family, Russia has incredible potential to expand both East and West. However, it must first be united from the rule of one of the principalities and from there the Golden Horde and the HRE are the only things stopping Russia's expansion.


Novgorod

Novgorod's position in Russia is enviable and offers the greatest possibility of Western Expansion. As with Poland it is bordered by Pagan OPM's. Novgorod's first aim should be to declare war against all OPM's bordering the Baltic States, and with the alliances offered by Kiev and Rostov, Novgorod should take each state with little trouble. From there things become more complicated. Novgorod must first form Russia, but must come into conflict with one or more of its allies. Novgorod has absolutely no claims to provinces outside its immediate borders and inter-familial marriages can lead to some weird results. Thus Novgorod must fabricate claims to duchies in order to expand East, and from there to create Russia.

Pros:

• Surrounded by Pagan OPM's
  
• Strong dynastic connections

Cons:

• No de jure claims
  
• Smaller army
  
• No navy at the start

Kiev
Kiev is a good balanced Russian nation to start with. As with Novgorod it can easily reach the ocean through the conquest of the Pagan OPM's situated in Prussia. However the ruler of Kiev also starts with a claim on the entirety of the principality of Novgorod. Coupled with the conquest of the Baltic, an attack on Novgorod would see Kiev become the major Russian power. Also viable is expansion east into Bulgaria of the Crimea. Again Rostov must be conquered before Kiev can achieve its goal of uniting Russia, but this is not a vital as it is for Novgorod. Thus Kiev is the most balanced Russian nation both diplomatically as well as militarily.

Pros:

• Claims upon Novgorod
  
• Bordered by Pagan OPM's
  
• Strong Dynastic Connections

Cons:

• Landlocked in 1066

Rostov

Rostov as a nation must from Russia within 50 years if it is to survive. However, this goal is less daunting as it may first appear for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Grand Duke of Rostov, although not surrounded by Pagan OPM's as Novgorod and Kiev are, has claims to both these principalities in 1066. With the ability to conquer both Novgorod and Kiev, Rostov may very easily form Russia. It has the largest army of all the Russian Kingdoms however with no possibility of naval expansion unless a war is conducted with Novgorod or Kiev, Rostov is hamstrung for the first 10 years. Also looming are the Cumans who attack soon after 1090. For Rostov to achieve its goal it may call upon its allies to fight a small war with the Cumans, using your allies armies to attack whilst your own troops hold back. When their armies have been sufficiently depleted, Rostov can attack either ally form Russia and then continue their expansion.

Pros:

• Large Army
  
• Dynastic Claims on Novgorod and Kiev
  
• Few vassals

Cons:

• No navy
  
• Bordered by the Cumans
  
• Must rely upon its allies in the first 20 years

The Moorish kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsular begin the 1066 campaign in an enviable position. Surrounded by potential allies, with superior technology and bordered by weak enemies, the Moorish Emirates, Caliphates and Sultanates have the opportunity to expand in almost any direction. However aggression must play a key part in your conquest lest the armies of the West unite and wage holy wars against yourself. If your control can be established in the first 50 years an easy run to domination may be achieved.

The Abbadid Emirate

The Abbadid Emirate has arguably the best position on the Peninsular, but also the worst. With a large naval province count, The Abbadid Emirate may use its large navy to expand quickly to any province around the Mediterranean. With the ease of declaring Holy War in the first three years, strong bases may be established in almost any province not directly ruled by France, Byzantium or the HRE. However, the lack of a tangible border between the Christian Kingdoms of Iberia may cause some initial problems in terms of game play. For any Moorish Kingdom, uniting the Iberian Peninsular should be your main goal, and without the ability to wage quick wars over a land border, this power is somewhat diminished.

Pros:

• Large Navy
  
• Strong Technology
  
• Good income from initial provinces

Cons:

• One son in 1066, (Unlikely to change)
  
• No land border with the Christian Kingdoms

The Islamic Kingdoms of North Africa must expand into either Europe or the Middle east if they are to survive into the late game. Early pan-Islamic alliances may have to be broken if a game as any of the North Africankingdoms are to be successful.

The Zirid Sultanate

The Zirid Sultanate starts out in an excellent position at the 1066 start date. As the Sultan of Africa both vassalage and conquest can be used to expand your realm either against the Christian kingdoms of Sicily and Sicily or the Islamic duchies of North Africa. Strategic marriages should be formed with the Fatimid’s in particular, but due reverence should be afforded to the kingdoms in Spain lest you expand into Iberia or Southern France. As a young ruler with a male heir succession holds no issue in the early game and you can easily form a great dynasty in the lands of the Carthaginians. You start with a fairy large army in your personal demesne that can be used to consolidate control over OPM’s but a small navy may hinder your expansion.

Pros:

• Start out as a King
  
• Large army
  
• Young ruler

Cons:

• Small navy
  
• Few provinces