Russia > France

**ArtillerySmoke** · 03-09-2009, 12:01

I was going to play as France but I don't think so now. I think that Russia has arguably the best unit roster in the game, along with a great starting position.

I'm working with a unit of Cossacks on each flank, with some cavalry to their outside. In the middle, slightly in front I'm putting my light infantry. Behind them, I'm stacking line infantry and then in the rear of them, ready to hit wherever is needed - I have my Dragoons. General goes in the rear of all of these, protected.

This is of course with early unit rosters...but the moral of Russia combined with her starting provinces and roster = arguably the best in the game at first glance.

**Belid Hagen** · 03-09-2009, 13:41

yea, but russia also has one of, if not the worst line infantry stats.

**Beskar** · 03-09-2009, 13:54

the cossacks have better range and gun skills, also cheaper upkeep. They just lose out in melee.

**knoddy** · 03-09-2009, 15:12

savoy > france in my campaign lawl

**Meneldil** · 03-09-2009, 17:04

France unit roster is completely lacking, but then, most factions' unit rosters are actually lacking. Hope someone will be working on a realism mod soon.

**Callahan9119** · 03-09-2009, 17:40

Uhh how are rosters lacking, you want them to invent units?

There were guns, cannon, grenades and horse. and thats what we get, without over reaching for obscure or romantic unit types like they have in the past

The units are fine.

**Graphic** · 03-09-2009, 18:39

Originally Posted by Meneldil

France unit roster is completely lacking, but then, most factions' unit rosters are actually lacking. Hope someone will be working on a realism mod soon.

Excuse the horrific spelling...

Chasseurs a Pied, Regiments Estrangers, Infanterie Petit-Veux, Gendarmie, Courours de Bois, Tiralleurs, Royal Ecossois, Maison du Roi, Chasseurs de Cheval, Chevaux-Legers, Garde du Corps...this is not counting colonial and native units.

No offense but maybe you should actually check their roster in the custom battle menu, or play more than 3 turns with them in the campaign.

**Melvish** · 03-09-2009, 17:36

Originally Posted by knoddy

savoy > france in my campaign lawl

I Gest Savoy got opportunistic in that war of French succession.
I did not find French unit roster to bad, maybe not 100% historical correct but still a good range of unit and cavalries. Line infantry , grenadier and skirmisher is on par with UK, good navy, and better cavalries than UK. Remember that France only get superior army only after Napoleonic reform (like the uber French-Polish heavy-lancers and Napoleonic square infantry)

**MadKow** · 03-10-2009, 17:43

Originally Posted by ArtillerySmoke

I was going to play as France but I don't think so now. I think that Russia has arguably the best unit roster in the game, along with a great starting position.

Back in another Total War forum there is a thread on how bad the Russian line infantry is in the game. This concerns mainly the accuracy (35) not being compensated at least with a bonus to melee, since it seems they relied a lot on the bayonet. So maybe they should have better melee attack or defense.
I'm at my work place so i can't really check the numbers.

Hmm... If the game allowed it, it might make sense to have different morale depending on if they were exchanging shots or choosing steel over lead.

**Oleander Ardens** · 03-10-2009, 19:52

Of course the valiant actions of 26000 Germans, 24000 British and 17000 Dutch held back the French onslaught and allowed the 50000 Prussian to enter combat and win the day.

I think it is very hard to sum up the typical line infantry of a country with a couple of numbers. Sometimes the very same regiment would have heroic defenses and rapid routs in their track record. Said that I hope that the game is balanced for the MP and not too far from history. For example give Russian line regiments bad accuracy but a bit higher defense/morale and/or lower upkeep (less powder used in the training). I really hope that there will be an EB for ETW.

**ArtillerySmoke** · 03-11-2009, 02:58

After further review: I see France's power. It lies in the later game...

Their infantry seems to have the highest moral in the game, and they have a very nice cavalry and artillery lineup.

Britain is great...but I would pick France over Britain for a campaign (very well might).

**geala** · 03-11-2009, 15:05

Does this really matter? You would win with every faction, wouldn't you?

By the way, if you mention France. France seems to be sometimes one of the most underestimated powers in the 1700's. Before about 1750 they were the model for many European armies (after that Prussia was for some time but never the British, I'm sorry

). They started the century with a big war in a small coalition against a big coalition and were, despite they lost 3 of the 4 major battles, more or less victorious in the end. Not bad. They ended the century in wars alone against some or many of the other bigger powers in Europe relatively victoriously and conquered great parts of Europe shortly after 1800. Not too bad, too (in a military, not a moral sense). France lost great parts of her colonies because of mismanagement and low interest, not because of the military genius of the others. In North America the French often fought against far superior British and Colonial troops and won (before Quebec).

Yes, France might be a good faction to play with.