Brief Thoughts on Powers (w/ Optional Rules)
Lombard: The Lombards goal is to reunite Italy, making the Normans an obvious enemy if they refuse to leave Naples. The Holy Roman Empire and France lies just across the Alps, powerful and dangerous enemies, both desiring Rome. Hungary is the most likely ally for the Lombard.
Byzantine: The Byzantine is strong, with four SCs and a great growth potential. However, the Byzantines are also always under threat. Four powers need Constantinople to win and the Turks, Egypt, Hungary, and Normans as immediate neighbors. The Byzantines can rely on diplomacy being able to help out the Catholic powers to Jerusalem and cause tension between the Catholic powers. Be wary and trust in the navy.
Hungary: Head East. The West can wait. Russia and the Balkan SCs are waiting to be taken. After gathering a few of the neutral SCs Hungary should then be open to a change in strategy. Head North to deal with the troublesome Poles and Germans, continue East to get the target SCs or grab some beachside property.
England: The Normans, spread across Europe with all the benefits and drawbacks. The best strategy perhaps is to take France as a whole, giving England five SCs and a strong position to take the rest of Western Europe and use the map for English benefit.
Holy Roman Empire: Powerful like Germany in standard diplomacy but, facing slightly different than Germany. First, the Holy Roman Empire will not be strong in fleets with Copenhagen nearby. In return the Empire has five starting SCs. Beware Early Leader Syndrome!
France: Very crowded and to the brightsiders very good for a fast win. France must come to terms with several nations and face off with England someday…unless the wily Normans can be persuaded to leave Rouen peacefully.
Spain: Mostly, deal with the Moors. Spain has a good position to project power in either the Atlantic or Mediterranean.
Moors: What a headache, the Spanish at the gate and all these neutral SCs waiting to be taken. Destroy Spain quickly or give up Cordoba quickly either way something is needed to be done fast.
Turks: While the Target SCs call the Turks to march on the infidels, the Turks might need to deal with the fellow Muslims. Persia and Egypt are still small and can be humbled to vassals with effort and diplomacy but, is it worth it to have weak Muslim allies over stronger ones?
Egypt: Working with the Christians might not be a bad idea. Just try not to get in their march on Jerusalem if you do ally with them.
Poland: Watch out, both the Empire and Denmark will threaten your west and to the East lies a small Russia but, what if it is left to grow? Ste and Lit are going to decide a lot for early Polish strategy.
Denmark: Like the Vikings you will need to attack British Isles on day. Luckily, the Danish should have an excellent (or try for) navy to grow in the Baltic, Isles and take North coast of Europe.
Novgorod: Unite Russia. Look to capture Sarkel or Caffa for a Home SC.
Persia: Persia has possibly the easiest targets SCs. Persia is a bit of backwater and should use that to Persia’s advantage. Beware slow growth…