Which Total War game do you think is the best unmodded and which one do you think is the best after mods (and which mods)?

For my favourite, it's a tie between Napoleon: Total War, which is a great upgrade of the flawed Empire and moves Total War games to different level, and Medieval II: Total War + expansion, for absolutely brilliant siege battles. The latter also seems to have the most interesting mods.

Second favourite would be Rome: Total War

Medieval 2 had the Middle Earth and Zelda mods.

Rome with all the expansions (Barbarian Invasion and Alexander) is probably my favorite, because of the music and the age they take place in, followed by Medieval II and its expansion.

I have all the Total War games up until they were released as Steam exclusive, which made them un-attainable to me as a matter of principle. I lost interest in the franchise when it required a third party, which was an unnecessary move, even though I do have Steam (was lured into it because of Skyrim..).

To be fair, I don't blame Steam (Valve) for what Creative Assembly (Sega) decided, and I do have a few other games on Steam that I might have gotten an account fort, had I not already had one, such as Borderlands 1 and 2.

The only one I've ever played was Rome: Total War so I guess that wins by default.

For me it's "Medieval II" plus the "Kingdoms" expansion because I like the medieval setting (also don't forget the "Third Age" mod!). Second place goes to the Shogun II because i also like the setting and the graphics. ;-)

1. Rome Total War + Barbarian Invasion
2. Medieval 2 Total War + Kingdoms
3. Napoleon Total War - lots of bugs and crashes a lot but still worth mentioning

Rome II+many mods. My first TW, so don't judge me!

Empire Total War, as I can now play it natively... and tis the only one I have played :D

Medieval 2, no contest.

Rome total war + expansions.
The first one I played, the first one I loved.

Rome: Total War + Expansions for sure.

Rome and Shogun 2 hands down. The others aren't bad games, I have found them quite hard to get into. Needs more lubricant.

Rome (with expansions ) and Medieval II are my long time favourites, but I have to admit Napoleon and Shogun 2 are gretat games as well.

Medieval 2 Gold. And it was the last of the series, i think, before they all became Steam-zoned. Brrr...