Portugal (ETW Faction)
| Portugal (ETW Faction) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | Portugal |
| From Game: | Empire: Total War |
| Religion: |  Catholicism |
| Culture: | European |
| Playable: | |
Portugal is an unplayable minor faction in Empire: Total War, and unlike its Spanish neighbour, it is a constitutional monarchy. It is also one of only two European nations that controls territory in the Indian theatre at the start of the Grand Campaign (the other being the United Provinces). In fact, it holds the distinction of being the only minor nation to hold a colony.
Contents
Starting position
In many senses Portugal is unique for a minor faction, actively participating in different theatres as a formidable power in its own right. Portugal starts the game with 2 regions, its home region of 'Portugal' in the European theatre and the small coastal region of Goa in the Indian theatre. It also starts with small merchant fleets that are trading sugar in the Brazil trade theatre and Ivory in the Ivory Coast trade theatre. Portugal starts with a weak army and must first upgrade the army encampment in Lisbon into a barracks before being able to recruit better units such as line infantry. However, they may soon develop into a powerful minor nation, and are likely to cause trouble for Spain sooner or later. Portugal begins the game allied with Britain. Since it is often attacked by Spain early on, Britain must make the difficult choice of either abandoning its ally, or declaring war on the powerful Spanish Empire.
The in-game AI tends to have Spain annex Portugal very early in the game, leaving Goa to be taken by the Maratha Confederacy. However, Portugal can become quite powerful if left alone.
Basics at start
- Protectorates – None
- Allies – Great Britain
- Trade Partners – Great Britain, Mughal Empire
- Enemies – Barbary States, Pirates
- Religion – Catholic
- Government – Constitutional Monarchy
- Ruler – Pedro II (King)
- Population – 2,011,373
- Prosperity – Rich
- Prestige – Respected
- Treasury – 7500
- Technology - None
- Missionaries – None
- Rakes – Hugo Spinoza (Portugal), Adriano Chissano (Goa)
- Gentlemen – Vicente Lobato (Portugal)
Europe Theatre
Lisbon, Portugal
- Starting Buildings – Army Encampment, Cannon Foundry, Government Council, Conservatorium, Admiralty
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 1,101,544
- Wealth – 3475
- Religion – Catholicism 100.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Alentejo Farmland (Peasant Farms), Covilhá (Craft Workshops, Weaver), Douro Vineyards (No Building), Évora (School), Porto (Trading Port)
- Later Villages/Ports – Faro (Village), Leiria (Village)
India Theatre
Goa, Goa
- Starting Buildings – Magistrate
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 591,309
- Wealth – 1007
- Religion – Catholicism 50.0%, Hinduism 40.0%, Buddhism 10.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Barcelor (Trading Port), Yellapur Plantations (Small Tea Plantation)
- Later Villages/Ports – None
Enemies
While Portugal starts the game with only the Barbary States and Pirates as enemies, the following factions present a great threat to the country with nations listed below frequently declaring war on Portugal.
- Spain
- Maratha Confederacy
- Mysore
Units
Portugal can train the standard European infantry, cavalry and artillary unit roster.
Special Units
Portugal shares most of Spain's unique units, such as Frontiersmen, Irish Brigades and Cazadores. Portugal also has a special unit that can only be trained by them from the start of the game, Miquelets. This makes Portugal, along with Scotland (who can recruit Clansmen) and Norway (who can recruit Mountain Troops), one of the only minor factions with unique special units.
Trivia
- Portugal is the only minor unplayable faction in the game to start with both a five-slot city and a colony, Venice & the Thirteen Colonies also begin with a five-slot city however they are confined to their home theatres.
- It is also the only European nation to start with territory on the Indian subcontinent but not the only European nation in the Indian theatre however as the United Provinces holds Ceylon.
- Like many unplayable factions, Portugal has a fog of war glitch which prevents the player seeing their units until they are moved, this can be removed however via modding of the startpos file.
- Portugal in Empire: Total War is a constitutional monarchy when historically the nation was an absolute monarchy up until 1820.
- The flag used in the game was historically used by Portugal between 1816-1830. The flag used during the 1700s did not feature an armillary sphere and the coat of arms was less 'rounded'.
- Historically, the country was briefly known as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves between 1815-1825.
