Redfist - This may seem like a very weird reason to like a faction, but the main reason I put them so high was because they represent the Empire of Rodan's extreme hatred towards non-humans in its purest form. (or in their case orcs, but you get what I mean)
Unlike the other self-righteous factions in the empire, they don't attempt to hide it and fully concentrate on their goal.
They were also really fun to play even though we only had 1 mission to do it in.
Bloodstone Dwarves - A very progressively minded dwarven clan stuck in a very conservative race was interesting.
On a side note, they also complimented and fit into the Redfist aesthetic very well.
Dark Elves - Calling them a very f'ed up society would be putting it lightly. The reason I like them is that they, in a vacuum, represent Aridon's moral values and everything that's wrong with them.
Ironfist - If you think about it, even while under the Empire of Rodan's allegiance, they were kind of like independent renegades that were allowed to do pretty much whatever they want. Of course, this also helped them when they became actual independent renegades and forged their own path.
Skullblade Clan - In a way, they are like a proto Tribal Dominion, which makes me like them more than most orc clans.
Goldaxe Clan - They were kind of like the Blackthorn before the Blackthorn became a thing. If Maronogin is revealed as being the clan chieftain, I think I'll put them in S, because an ancient and very powerful demon commanding what could be described as ''businessmen'' orcs would be pretty amusing and interesting.
Golden Guard - They were loyal, but were also used because of it and ultimately abandoned. Pretty self-righteous, but very effective when they decided to do what they did what they were never ordered to do - attack.
Wolf Regiment and
Ardoz Nexus - Because I like the idea of a crazy science experiment turned into an army. For the Ardoz Nexus, I like how they make their own stuff.
Cliffhunter Clan - Could be described as the Bloodstone Dwarves of the orcs. The reason as to why I put them in A instead of S is because the orcs were on their way towards becoming more progressive (even though it took some time), while the dwarves are still pretty far from it.
Human Kingdoms - I feel like they need a spin-off campaign that takes place long before the First Voidwar took place. Their overall story is interesting, yet not knowing the details makes it hard to put them in the S tier.
Rohir Nexus - The idea that lore-wise and kind of gameplay-wise, some of the living units you could be controlling are actually undead is pretty interesting. I would probably put the Mindslayer Legion here too since they are also an interesting concept which also shares the idea of infiltration.
Elven Kingdom - Putting them so high because of their overall story. Being descendants of the Dark Elves and rejecting Aridon's command to return to the Dead Moutain kind of redeems them. While they were kind of insufferable due to their policies for conflict, they improved in the post-second books period.
Ravaging Fire Clan - Another what could be described as progressive orc clan. Kind of in the low A due to not being as much as the others.
Gnoll Kingdom - Because while enslaved by Zyainor, they managed to take all of their good traits and forge their own society from that.
Blooddrinker Legion - I liked how they were the most ''honourable demons'' for lack of a better word, avoiding intrigue and just dealing with problems directly. Intentionally making themselves seem like fools while actually being quite cunning was also a nice touch.
Ejara Nexus - In a way they were a much more open Rohir Nexus. This also makes them quite diverse lore-wise.
Zirr Nexus - Probably the most peaceful Undead Nexus. They just want to gather knowledge and that's completely respectable.
Hammerfall Dwarves - They represent the good and bad of the dwarves. They're both honourable and united, while also being quite conservative and as all dwarves after the Secon Voidwar, very isolationist.
Bull Regiment and
Bloodhand Clan - While Dorbric and The Destroyer are cool characters, their regiments don't have much beyond ''oh enemy, charge them.''
Centaurs - They've gone through some stuff, but outside of that aren't very interesting.
Souleater Legion - The symbolise the typical demonic trait of backstabbing. Also how an upstart (Kersidar) can ruin a very powerful Legion and completely bring it to its downfall even after a much older and more experienced person made it very powerful. (Maronogin)
Now that I wrote that, maybe B would be a slightly more appropriate tier.
Deathbreeze Clan - Excluding their characters, the only defining that of the faction is that they had the best fleet among the orcs, which isn't much.
Grey Guard - The blandest of the Imperial Regiments. Them being what could be called the normality and sanity among the more extreme regiments could put them at a higher rank, though for me it bumps them to a C.
Darkmind Clan - Brutal and vindictive, but not much else.
Demon Slaves - This is a faction that would benefit from a spin-off campaign to explore intrigue in their ranks (or more short stories like ''Guardian of the North''. Currently, they're basically obedient servants of major antagonists.
Scarec Nexus - Not much to say about them here; Flesh - nope, Bones- yep is pretty much everything they're about.
Veterans of the Voidwar - They were basically a sub-branch of the demon slaves that served a good purpose in advancing the story, though outside of Genethas, they didn't really have anything unique.
Retka's Rebellion -People with a heavy anti-imperial sentiment falling for the Empire of Rodan's promises was amusing, though they didn't make a particularly interesting faction, IMHO. Mostly being fodder for the Ironfist and parts of the Imperial army to defeat didn't really help them in that regard.
Daric's Mercenaries - They have a few characters I would like to know more about, but I saw the entire faction as run of the mill mercenaries.
Falcon Regiment - Don't seem to have anything interesting outside of being the ''loner regiment''. I'll probably change my rating by the end of the second book part of the True Story.
Dragon Regiment - I didn't find anything interesting in them outside of thinking their lizards were dragons.
Bear Regiment - I felt they were a much less interesting version of the Wolf Regiment.
Ironthunder Clan - Outside of Lokar, the clan didn't have anything really interesting in it.
Kezzar Nexus - Undead Demons. Don't see anything more unique. Ornasion is at least a pretty cool character.
Splecir Nexus - The blandest of the Undead Nexuses. They don't really have any unique feature outside of being Aridon's elite troops.
No rating - Either they didn't have enough info or were so vast and contained technically way too many factions we haven't seen yet to leave a proper rating (Empire of Rodan)
To elaborate a little further on my first point, I think the Phoenix Regiment, the Forgotten or the Moghtar for example need more backstory (either in the True Story or a spin-off campaign) before they can be given a proper rating.
Progaderas and the Rascal Rats - The icon for the faction disappeared more often than Progaderas got slain by the player, but I didn't forget about them. Probably F, because he just can't win, even here or ever.
