Reasons for picking a leader?

[aaronflavor]

You forgot to include the poll option, "because she's hot."

 

[MrCynical]

Traits are my primary consideration, though starting technology is of some importance as well. UU's to be honest have little impact on the game for the most part, except maybe the roman praetorians. Favourite civic has no effect for a human player. AI like you if you happen to be using THEIR favourite civic, but your own leader's "favourite civic" is irrelevant.

I'd also add in the option "Because I've started next to this civ in the past three games and I'm sick of having them as an AI". I've played Isabella a couple of times for this reason.

 

[Reg Pither]

Always random for me.

 

[The Q-Meister]

I'd also add in the option "Because I've started next to this civ in the past three games and I'm sick of having them as an AI". I've played Isabella a couple of times for this reason.

Not sure if you know this, but you could always pick and choose which AI civs to play against in the Custom Game screen. If you don't like Isabella, you never have to see her again if you don't want to.

 

[Joel Von Hall]

I usually play as Germany with Bizmark. Take it easy in the early days, defending, build up your resourses and income then smash everything in site with Panzers in the industrial age. If I feel like an early win its Romans all the way.

 

[Darwin420]

Usually traits for me. I'm rather fond of Alex, Huayna, Saladin, and Asoka. Julius is nice, too, when I want to really steamroll my opponents early on.

I actually haven't made it through all the leaders yet. So I still don't have a "favorite" leader.

 

[MrCynical]

I know I can select which AI's to play against me, but unless I'm playing with 16 opponents that'll tell me who I'm playing against in advance. As in Civ 3 I sometimes wish I could simply select not to have a certain Civ. I don't particularly mind playing against any one civ, but after 3 games next to them I get bored with them (and Isabella annoys me more than most, it's true )