Spain (M2TW Faction)

Spain (M2TW Faction)
Name:	Spain
From Game:	Medieval II: Total War
Religion:	Catholic
Culture:	Southern European
Playable:

Overview

Spain is one of the harder factions to play, as it lacks spearmen in the early (and start of the high) period, except for spear militia units. This makes Spain quite weak when facing against other Catholic factions, which mostly rely on mounted knights. However, mercenary spearmen can be bought to make up for Spain's weaknesses.

In the late period, Spain lacks armour piercing infantry, which will again make Spain weak against fighting other Catholic factions. Spain is best against armies using light armour, such as the middle eastern factions and the Aztecs. Spain has an effective navy, being able to build grand carracks.

Spain starts in a rather weak position, having a Portuguese region on either side of it, however, there are two main rebel provinces which can be taken.

Spain's main enemy will be the Moors to the south. The French can also be a problem when they start getting aggressive, and may try to take your lands.

Infantry

Spanish infantry is at best average, at least until the high period. Spain is one of the few factions that gain access to sword and buckler men, and are the only faction that has access to Tercio pikemen. Spain also has access to dismounted Conquistadores. Although very effective against lightly armoured units, they can only be trained at the New World.

Cavalry

Spain has access to the standard knights available to other Catholic factions, but also can train Jinetes, who can also be trained in cities with bullrings constructed. Spain also has unique access to the Knights of Santiago, which are a match for all other knightly orders. Spain also has access to Gendarmes, which are professional heavy cavalry of the late period.

Missile

Spain makes use of average crossbow units available to all factions, as well as Javelinmen and Almugavars. These units (particularly the Almugavars) can hold their own in melee, but are still no match for professional heavy infantry units.

Gunpowder & Artillery

Spain has access to some of the best gunpowder units available, being able to train musketeers, which are more than capable of tearing apart armoured units, while having long missile ranges. Spain also has very high quality cannons, such as the Basilisk.

Conclusion

Spanish armies are generally light, fast, and flexible, well suited to ambushes and skirmishing against heavier armoured units. Spain excells in gunpowder seige assaults, easily capable of tearing apart castle walls with their high quality cannons.

Because Spain is quite a distance from the Holy Land, players will be reluctant to join any crusades. This distance however can easily be covered safely by Spain's powerful navy.

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