What is the easiest nation to play?

[Wrana]

Have to disagree with Mr Gandalf - we have found that magic-users (in 3 ed. - sorcerers) are MUCH better for starting DD players. Reason: they are obvious in what they can and can't do (just make sure he/she understands the spells you give him/her). Fighters, on the other hand, require tactics to be effective - and good grasp on system in general... And in respect to role-playing: there are many versions of fighters, most of them unfamiliar to staring player - but any geek can model magic-user quite well!
Returning to basic question: I'd say that what you should look for are good national mages (so that you don't need to plan how you'll make boosters beforehand) with good enough national troops to allow both expansion into indies and a good fight against other national troops. Which means: Hinnom/Ashdod, Sauromatia(!), EA Ermor, Niefelheim, Abyssia, maybe Helheim/Vanheim/Eriu. Maybe MA Ulm/Marignon too...