in aoe 2 Spanish is the best for a navy cuz they can get all kinds of ships (except longboats) and their cannon galleons can fire far more faster than any ship at that range. in defense and cavalry i'd go with the franks cuz they have good cheap castles and excellent cavalry. for archers take Britons. if u want monks go with aztecs or the spanish. overall spanish are quite good. they have good cavalry, infantry, good siege weapons and an excellent navy. their archers are ok, cuz they cant update their archers but have good skirmishers and cav. archer and hand cannoneer.
