Holy Roman Empire (M2TW Faction)

Medieval 2: Total War | Factions:
Aztecs | Byzantine Empire | Denmark | Egypt | England | France | Holy Roman Empire | Hungary | Milan | Mongols | Moors | Papal States | Poland | Portugal | Russia | Scotland | Sicily | Spain | Timurids | Turks | Venice | Rebels

The Holy Roman Empire (HRE) or "Heiliges Römisches Reich" in German is a very deceiving name, as it isn't "holy", isn't "Roman" and definitely isn't an "empire". Instead it was a collection of fiefdoms and small kingdoms loosely grouped together under an elected emperor. Despite this lack of unite, the HRE was one of the major powers of the medieval period. Since the "founder" (for want of a better word) of the empire, none other then the legendary knight and leader Charlemagne, was crowned on Christmas day 800AD by pope Leo III, there is some argument that the word "holy" can appear in the empires name, at least during its early history.

In game, the HRE appear as a unified force, beginning with most of modern day Germany and Switzerland under its control and a few rebel provinces surrounding this, beyond that, are many factions, meaning that the HRE can quickly find itself bordering half the European factions. This presents unique challenges for the HRE, as no other faction can be said to border so many different possible enemies from so early on. Therefore, some measure of diplomacy will have to be used to ensure the empire doesn't face war on more fronts than it can manage, or to avoid angering the pope as all its neighbours tend to be catholic. That said, thanks to its size, it can afford vast armies, effectively ensuring its victory if its able to concentrate its forces on a single enemy, especially late game.

The HRE shares all of its early units with other factions, but they are no less effective for that, later on in the game, it can recruit, in approximate order of availability, Teutonic knights (being the only faction this order is available to), Imperial Knights (mace welding knights), Zwei-Handers (fearsome two-handed swordsmen), Forlorn Hope (an elite unit for exploiting breaches during sieges) Reiters (cavalry armed with pistols and spears) and the infamously powerful Gothic Knights. In addition to this, both Serpentine and Basilisk guns are available, meaning that the empire's late game army is indeed one to be feared and respected.

Due to its curse of being surrounded, generally disliked by the pope, and lacking in specialist early game units, the HRE can quickly be eliminated if not controlled by a human player, and even then, great care must be taken to not overextend one's forces or anger too many factions at once.

If the empire can exploit wars in Europe to its advantage (attacking factions the pope dislikes who don't have any powerful allies), then it will surely be victorious and able to unite Europe under the rule, if it is unable to do this, then it will be resigned to a footnote in the players (virtual) history book