Getting started..............

[dirtywick]

I would pick a nation without blood magic to start. EA Arcosphale is pretty straight forward. MA Ulm isn't bad to start with if you understand the scales, just take Production 3 in the scales if you.

There's a strategy index at the top of the page, I would pick one with a guide so you can follow it a bit as you go.

[DonCorazon]

MA Ulm is good to start with in SP since SP moves quickly and the AI is not particularly effective at using magic against you.

I wouldn't recommend MA Ulm though for your first MP game. It was my first MP nation in an MP noob game and found that not only did I get crushed but I didn't learn much about magic, so my next game I was just as much of a noob. MA Ulm is easy in that you can focus on the other game mechanics, but given the slower pace of an MP game, MA Ulm is probably too limited. If you want to get up the learning curve quicker you might want to try a nation with a bit more magic. I like LA Tien Chi because they have solid troops (infantry, archers, and calvary are all good) but also a fair bit of diverse magic that will help give a more well-rounded intro into the game.