Cmon guys Im just curious. It’d be nice to know. Besides you all know which I’d take. who mentioned bankruptcy? 
As these polls get filled-in, it’s interesting to note (from a game-design perspective) that only the FP have a set of nations with relatively even distribution of first choice nations. Both Neutral and DS have clearly “preferred” and clearly “less preferred” nations.
Not sure what to do with this observation… but it is interesting
I think the reason that Freeps have a more even distribution is that, as nations go, they start out to more readily capable of standing alone or in small groups. The DS, however, need to recruit a neutral or rely on friends to cover a flank or lend aid. Therefore, certain DS nations may not be preferred because the nearby neutral may be prone to drop, or not all that reliable. And further, if the FK or another key player is not a team player, problems start.
Just MHO about this question…
James
Mmmmm you lot obviously dont know good position from a great one. look only 7 votes for the mighty Eothraim
It was actually really close between Cardolan and NG - but NG won in the end, just because the situation is more hopeless! That and it’s nice not to have to worry too much about your role in the grand scheme of things; attack and survive!
Cardolan is great though - one game where I’m Card every character is a c10 and either agent or emmy 20 - the hire for free is just too good! And the economy means that you just don’t need to bother with camps at all - more towns than you’ll ever need. At the recent FTF I was thoroughly loving sending 3k HI every 2 turns into Rhudaurland… 
NG is ok but it can be really easy to play. That nation can stand up to the predations of up to 7 of the Nazgul. Of course if they then send in the chars he’s in trouble but thats a LOT of resource against one nation. Try the mighty EO. Attack, Defend and cook at the barbecue’s.
I like SG. A huge economy, enemies in all directions except behind (usually), a big steamroller that can help out on several fronts at once as well as send friends gold and stuff in return for horses, never enough horses. Difficult to kill off and rarely high on targets DS want to knock off early on, so you get to wander about picking fights
Adrian
SG is a great nation to play aswell as the Eoth… But for me it has to
be the Noldo for the mid game impact Gildor, the twins and the rest of
the super chars can acheive…
Nah the Noldo tend to get bracketed too much. If you want super chars then go for Cardolan. With the exception of mages you can build quite a little stable of CA’s and CE’s with huge ranks.
Notice the stable ref. You just can’t get away from the mighty EO :rolleyes:
Boring… Think I need a nap/siesta now just thinking about Cardolan!
See you just can’t see the beauty of a rolling mass of troops with backups training away. The mid-game buzz you get from the Noldo is just the same. And you’ve actually done some legwork in the NW by that time.
I love the beauty of a rolling recruitment chain, just not a Cardolan one…
Give me Harad, SG, Eoth, NG, Rhud, WK any day for recruitment chains…
But I do like C/E’s & C/A’s just for the killing practice! Lol
Yes well I did say I like the EO. Much harder to co-ordinate the HC recruitment with the needed commodities but there you go. Its more than a challlenge. Did I also mention we do barbecue’s as well?
EO or Card? The Card could have a SNA in the best barbacues and parties
and I still wouldnt be interested! Like the Arth a competent player can
play the nation with their eyes shut… Such monotonous nations…
Played Arth in the last Power game and it was the 7th time I played Arth
and I will never ever play it again! Well, not for a few years
Ach you’re just a young 'un really. Age and a little Wisdom will come to you my friend and then you’ll see that there is beauty in even the mundane.
Young? After playing ME for 14 years? Probably more years,
I think I’ve lost count! Lol
See I knew you were a late starter…