Egypt can marshal some unique Mamluk and other desert-dwelling units, giving them an advantage when fighting in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Egyptians (faction colour dark yellow) are a Muslim faction, representing the Fatimid and successive dynasties in Egypt and other Near Eastern provinces that number among the wealthiest and most profitable lands on the MTW map. While they are in a rather weak standing early on they have the ability to become strong further in the game, with expansion in northern Germany. They are well suited for an early trading strategy (thanks to their unique Viking longboat units), while aided in battle by their unique Viking infantry units. The Danes (faction colour white) are a Catholic faction. Several of these unique units, such as Kataphraktoi, Trebizond Archers, and Varangian Guard, give this faction a significant advantage early on, but as time advances to the High and Late periods these units become increasingly outdated, with some units becoming unavailable. The Byzantines have a greater number of unique units available to them than any other faction except the Turks.

Events in Byzantine history are also used to divide the periods covered in the game: the historical sack of Constantinople by the Venetians during the Fourth Crusade marks the end of the Early period in 1204, and the fall of the same city to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 marks the end of the game. The Byzantines (faction colour purple) are the major Orthodox faction. They have strong units early, and have access to Berber Camels and Almohad Urban Militia, which are useful in combating horse cavalry.

The Almohads (faction colour orange) are the Berbers of Iberia and North Africa, one of the three Muslim major factions in Medieval.

Medieval total war viking invasion mods