France (ETW Faction)
| France (ETW Faction) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | France |
| From Game: | Empire: Total War |
| Religion: | Catholic |
| Culture: | European |
| Playable: | |
France is one of the 11 playable nations in Empire: Total War's Grand Campaign. It is also a major faction in the game.
Overview
In the dawn of the 18th century, France is one of Europe's major powers. The Kingdom of France is ruled by an absolute monarch who has the authority to elect or dismiss his ministers at will. While the nobility may be content with the current situation, the lower classes are not, and the latter may attempt to get rid of their King and his regime once and for all. The Thirty Years War has weakened the German states and the Habsburg Empire considerably, and France is currently regarded as the dominant power in Western Europe. The French also conquered Alsace not long ago, and their country is rich and powerful. Furthermore, French troops have conquered a large amount of lands in America. The whole Mississippi valley along with Quebec in the north are currently under French rule. Last but not least, The Kingdom of France has acquired some land in South America which could possibly serve as a base for future campaigns.
In conclusion, France is a strong faction with important and powerful allies such as Spain. The Catholic nation owns many colonies in the Americas and boasts both a powerful navy and army. Unfortunately for the French, Great Britain poses a major threat. The Great Britain navy is still the strongest in the world and may be a danger for the French kingdom. Furthermore, Austria will surely be looking to regain its dominance in Europe and has certainly not forgotten of its past wars and various conflicts with France. Lastly, the Italian States at the southern French border are a powder keg and have the ability cause a lot of trouble for the kingdom. France is a country with many opportunities but also many possible enemies. And who knows for how long the ordinary man on the street will accept having no say at all in his country's politics?
Starting Position
France starts the game with regions in both the European and the American theatre. In Europe, the French own France and its capital, Paris, along with Alsace-Lorraine and the province's capital, Strasbourg. In America, the French control several regions and also have a protectorate which can become part of the French kingdom after completing a specific mission. The French colonies border the Iroquois Confederacy and the 13 British Colonies. The Kingdom does not hold any provinces in the Indian Theater.
In the European Theater, France borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. They are bordered by the Kingdom of Spain in the south, and Flanders, a Spanish province, in the north. Furthermore, France borders Württemberg in Central Europe and Savoy in the southeast. Across the English Channel lies France's biggest rival, the United Kingdom.
Victory Conditions
Short Campaign
Capture and hold 20 regions by the end of the year 1750, including: New France, Corsica, New York, Confederation of New England, Leeward Islands, Pennsylvania, Cherokee Territory, Savoy, Algonquin Territory, Liguria, Michigan Territory, and France.
Long Campaign
Capture and hold 30 regions by the end of the year 1799, including: New France, Corsica, New York, Confederation of New England, Leeward Islands, Pennsylvania, Cherokee Territory, Savoy, Algonquin Territory, Liguria, Michigan Territory, France, Orissa & Circars, Carnatica, Flanders, Hindustan, and Egypt.
World domination
Capture and hold 50 regions by the end of the year 1799, including: France.
Basics at start
- Protectorates – Louisiana
- Allies – Spain
- Trade Partners – Spain, Louisiana, Savoy, Sweden
- Enemies – Barbary States, Pirates
- Religion – Catholic
- Government – Absolute Monarchy
- Ruler – Louis XIV (King)
- Population – 26,059,676
- Prosperity – Spectacular
- Prestige – Sublime
- Treasury – 8000
- Technology - Physiocracy
- Missionaries – Guillaume Vasser (Upper Canada), Guillaume Chretien (France)
- Rakes' – Roger Fouquet (Michigan Territory), Urbain Despreaux (France)
- Gentlemen – Bernard le Bovier de Foutanelle (France)
Europe Theatre
Paris, France
- Starting Buildings – Barracks, Royal Palace, Opera House, Admiralty, Cannon Foundry
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 24,567,308
- Wealth – 6278
- Religion – Catholicism 80.0%, Protestantism 20.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Poitou Farmland (Not Developed), Brittany Farmland (Not Developed), Bordeaux Vineyards (Vineyard), Loire Vineyards (Vineyard), Auvergne Mines (Iron Mine), Lille (Coaching Inn), Brest (Shipyard), Orleans (School), Clermont-Ferrand (Craft Workshops Smiths), Dijon (Church School), Marseille (Trading Port), Bordeaux (Craft Workshops Weavers), Le Havre (Trading Port)
- Later Villages/Ports – Calais (Port), Lyon (Village), Nantes (Village), Toulouse (Village)
Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine
- Starting Buildings – Military Governor’s Encampment, Settlement Fortification
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 1,442,152
- Wealth – 2625
- Religion – Catholicism 80.0%, Protestantism 20.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Metz Mines (Iron Mines), Nancy (Craft Workshops Smiths)
- Later Villages/Ports - None
America Theatre
Quebec, New France
- Starting Buildings – Army Encampment, Magistrate
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 16,044
- Wealth – 1307
- Religion –Catholicism 95.0%, Animism 5.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – St. Jean Trapper Post (Fur Trader), St. Lazare Farmland (Peasant Farms), Mont-Laurier Mines (Not Developed), Marsoui Forests (Logging Camp), Tadoussac (Trading Port)
- Later Villages/Ports – Trois-Rivieres (Village)
- Plantations - None
Montreal, Upper Canada
- Starting Building – Magistrate
- Infrastructure - Not Developed
- Population – 8,100
- Wealth – 39
- Religion – Catholicism 30.0%, Animism 70.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Ahmic Trapper Post (Fur Trader), Conestoga Farmland (Not Developed)
- Later Villages/Ports – Fort Frontenac (Village), Tkaronto (Village), Sault Sainte-Marie
- Plantations – None
Fort Nashwaak, Acadia
- Starting Building – Magistrate
- Infrastructure - Not Developed
- Population – 6,706
- Wealth – 1428
- Religion – Catholicism 70.0%, Protestantism 20.0%, Animism 10.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Northesk Mines (Silver Mine), Nova Scotia Farmland (Peasant Farms)
- Later Villages/Ports – Bathurst (Village), Cap Fourchu (Port), Louisbourg (Port)
- Plantations – None
Martinique, Windward Islands
- Starting Building – Magistrate
- Infrastructure – Not Developed
- Population – 8,151
- Wealth – 372
- Religion – Catholicism 90.0%, Animism 10.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Barbados (Trading Port)
- Later Villages/Ports – None
- Plantations – St. Vincent (Small Sugar Plantation)
Plaissance, Newfoundland
- Starting Building – Magistrate
- Infrastructure – Not Developed
- Population – 7,031
- Wealth – 1246
- Religion – Catholicism 70.0%, Protestantism 25.0%, Animism 5.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Badger Trapper Post (Fur Trader), St. George’s Forests (Logging Camp), Burgeo Farmland (Not Developed), St. John’s (Trading Post)
- Later Villages/Ports – Bonavista (Village)
- Plantations – None
Cayenne, French Guyana
- Starting Building – Magistrate
- Infrastructure – Not Developed
- Population – 4,184
- Wealth – 257
- Religion – Catholicism 85.0%, Animism 15.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Camopi Mines (Not Developed), Sinnamary (Trading Post)
- Later Villages/Ports – None
- Plantations – Maroni (Small Spice Plantation)
Units
France fields a typical western European army, similar to that of its surrounding states. The faction's army consists of units such as line infantry, heavy infantry, hussars, chevaux légers, and militia. France has very well trained artillery crews, guard artillery units have better accuracy and morale. Later on, the French gain access to other, more advanced units such as guards and household cavalry. If a power-class revolution succeeds, with the Absolute Monarchy giving its place to a Republic as a result, France will be able to train weak conscript units as well. The French army consists of very strong soldiers which are generally well-trained. One example would be the kingdom's line infantry which has a higher accuracy and firing rate over other units of the same type.
France's navy is frankly nothing special and consists of the standard lineup which most other factions share. The French fleet includes trade ships, weaker ships such as brigs and sloops, but also relatively strong first and second rate frigates.
Special Units
France is the only country with the 64-pounder horse artillery. It is slightly more expensive than the 64-pounder foot and has an accuracy of 125.
