Creative Assembly shipped Medieval II in November 2006 and folded the Kingdoms expansion plus every later patch into the free Definitive Edition on 20 November 2018. The Grand Campaign covers 1080 to 1530 across 112 regions and roughly 225 turns, with 21 factions of which only England, France, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and Venice are playable on turn one. Kingdoms bolts on four more campaigns: Britannia, Teutonic, Crusades and Americas.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | A | Balanced | Longbowmen | Yes |
| France | A | Balanced | Feudal Knights | Yes |
| Holy Roman Empire | A | Balanced | Pavise Crossbow Militia | Yes |
| Spain | A | Balanced | Trebuchet | Yes |
| Venice | A | Balanced | Janissary Musketeers | Yes |
New player? Start with France. See our beginner's guide for why.
England
England is a strong option in Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Longbowmen |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Castle and city settlement split |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Longbowmen
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in British Isles to learn England-specific mechanics
- Focus on Castle and city settlement split. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Longbowmen as your first major upgrade
- See our full England build guide for the optimal gear progression
France
France is a strong option in Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Feudal Knights |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Papal favour and excommunication |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Feudal Knights
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in British Isles to learn France-specific mechanics
- Focus on Papal favour and excommunication. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Feudal Knights as your first major upgrade
- See our full France build guide for the optimal gear progression
Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire is a strong option in Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Pavise Crossbow Militia |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Chivalry and dread general traits |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Pavise Crossbow Militia
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in British Isles to learn Holy Roman Empire-specific mechanics
- Focus on Chivalry and dread general traits. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Pavise Crossbow Militia as your first major upgrade
- See our full Holy Roman Empire build guide for the optimal gear progression
Spain
Spain is a strong option in Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Trebuchet |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Crusades and Jihads |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Trebuchet
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in British Isles to learn Spain-specific mechanics
- Focus on Crusades and Jihads. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Trebuchet as your first major upgrade
- See our full Spain build guide for the optimal gear progression
Venice
Venice is a strong option in Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Janissary Musketeers |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Gunpowder arriving mid campaign |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Janissary Musketeers
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in British Isles to learn Venice-specific mechanics
- Focus on Gunpowder arriving mid campaign. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Janissary Musketeers as your first major upgrade
- See our full Venice build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
France is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
England is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Longbowmen for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Venice offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Spain shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Guides
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Overview
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Best Builds
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Tier List
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Walkthrough
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Beginner's Guide
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Tips & Tricks
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Weapons Guide
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Combat Guide
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Boss Guide
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Maps & Locations
- Total War: MEDIEVAL II Definitive Edition Crafting Guide
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