Who is the best leader to learn the game with?

[Awesomeguy]

All right, I've been studying the forums and I think I have a fairly good idea on how the game works. But, nonetheless, I still need to get the hang of it in practice.

I'm leaning towards Samuel de Champlain and Adrien van der Donck. I realy would rather not play as the Spanish unless there is a magical boost in learning abllity while playing them. I'm not that huge of a fan of wiping out all the natives.

 

[dalgo]

I prefer to play as the Dutch because of their trading advantage and especially the starting merchantman. Adriaen van der Donck is very valuable with his tax advantage but I voted for Peter Stuyvesant and his + 25% in all settlements.

 

[Freddy K]

The best leader for me is the one for which I can think of a strategy, such as building at least one early cathedral with the English, or getting to efficient production fast with Stuyvesant. Currently messing with Frenchmen. Spain's Leaders don't seem to offer any crucial early game advantages, but they are an open invitation for all kinds of exploits.

 

[Windfoot]

John Adams all the way.

A quick build up of population early in the game with the -25% requirement for crosses and a 25% increased Liberty Bell (LB) production. Alot of newbies have a hard time reaching 50% to be able to start their revolution. In the hands of a veteran Col player you can really get a powerful civilization quickly.

 

[Blind Side]

I voted for John Adams, but it was a hard choice. For my style of play (see the Winston Churchill strategy post) Washington does not help much at all. However I also love Peter Stuyvesant due to starting with a Merchantman as it means you do not have to save up to buy one relatively early in the game.