Slitherine

I finished and won my first campaign game, as Scotland. The AI was not very aggressive and I was able to build up in peace, taking independent areas and fighting a short war with Norway that I started.

But in my first game as Poland, it has been constant war, starting with turn eight, and continuing. Bohemia attacked me, but I and my vassels were able to defeat them. However, when I was at war with Bohemia, a small Russian nation declared war. They may have been small, but they were alled to every other russian faction, and about ten nations declared war on me. Only two of them sent troops though, but Prussia attacked after I had some success driving them back. And it has continued. Since my first war, I have had only two turns of peace, and lost some big battles.

Playing Poland is very different than playing Scotland. Less buildings, different defensive buildings, smaller populations, different troop types, both for me and my opponents. Different terrain. It is something to fight Prussian Baltic infantry in the forests.

I am thriving, despite the constant wars, and having a great time!

If you do not want to be bored, try the Byzantine Empire, between incompetent Emperors, Court expenses, Wars, Civil Wars, Coups, rebellions, there is a new crisis to deal with pretty much every turn.....love it!

If you want to train for Byz, try Fatimids first, heretic, christian heretics and revolting peasants, everyone in the desert!!! all the good things.

Fatimids in 1.01 get plain old Christians now, to represent their Coptic population, rather than Christian Heretics. So a lot less unrest generated!