Just another walkthrough.
RULES
In the Napoleon campaign, you can, at any time, be in one of these three political positions: Officer, Emperor, or Exiled. I will explain what that means.
Officer
--------
You begin as an Officer in the French Military. The French Directorate gives you orders on whom to attack in a military campaign (in this walkthrough, I will use "campaign" to refer to a series of related battles). However, you can choose what campaign you want to fight. The campaigns are:
Western Campaign
- East France
- Brittany
- Belgium
Italian Campaign
I'm not sure, but I'd say its:
- Piedmont
- North Italy
- Naples
And after you complete one of the two, you have to choose another campaign to fight. The choices this time around are:
Spanish Campaign
- Seville
- Castille
- Madrid
Mediterranean Campaign
- Tunisia
- Sardinia
- Corscia
(once again, guesswork)
Emperor
--------
If you victor in both campaigns you fight, you will be crowned Emperor. This means that the pesky Directorate has been done away with, and now you can decide your foreign policy and attacking route.
Exile
-----
But there's a twist to being Emperor: if you lose a single battle in that political position, you will be sent to "exile". This means that, besides having wasted a turn, the diplomatic climate of Europe will become much more hostile towards you and you'll have to reunify France by fighting at Waterloo (which Napoleon historically lost). I was sent into Exile, so in order to retrace my steps, if you so wish, you'll have to "aim to lose" in a certain scenario (I'll explain that later).
GENERAL STRATEGIES
CONQUESTS
In a Conquest scenario, just go for a straight, out-right rush. Make sure to build an economy, but try to take out the enemy as soon as possible. Usually you will win in less than 5 minutes, even if the enemy has reinforcements. If you do not succeed (most likely due to having more than one enemy on the map), then the capture Cities will only serve to bolster your economy into a superpower.
TALLEYRAND AND FOUCHE
There are two cards that can played on the Strategic Map in addition to a normal battle: Advisor Talleyrand and Advisor Fouche. Always play them on the Strategic Map; their bonuses in a battle just aren't worth it.
WALKTHROUGH
THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN
Choose the Western Campaign first. To do this, you just have to invade East France.
The scenario has you possessing three Cities (in a vertical strip running down the middle of the map) and a small army. Royalist rebels are attacking the region, and you must outlast them for 15 minutes, not losing a single City. This means that no Cities can even be CAPTURED: if you lose it, your dead, with no chance to regain it.
Send two of your starting Cannon to the northern City and two to the southern one. Just try to evenly distribute army production throughout the cities, and you will be fine.
Make sure not to spend any Tribute in till you finish your invasion of Belgium (I'll explain why when the time comes).
Now, you have to invade Brittany. In this mission you start with a strip of Cities at the anti-tip (can't think of the word) of a peninsula, and your goal is to capture the British capital, at the tip of the peninsula. Your starting army will not be enough to capture every City, and the sea is lousy with British ships, so build a large navy and peruse the seas, hunting down the enemy navy, and make sure to reinforce your army.
Next is Belgium. Don't bother sending your troops in for a rush. Instead, wait in till you receive a message from an "Austrian runner". The message is an offer from the Austrians that they, if you pay them 20 Tribute, will leave you alone, and for 50 Tribute, will help you submit the Dutch (who have no military). Accept both offers. You HAVE to do it to win the scenario: otherwise, within 10 minutes the Austrians will amass over 30 Cannons and go directly for your capital: there's no way to win otherwise.
THE SPANISH CAMPAIGN
Now, invade Castille. This begins the Spanish Campaign, which is quite easily won.
Castille - Castille is just a "Guerrilla" battle. You start out with a City and Army, and have to destroy 15 hidden Spanish Barracks, scattered around the map and guarded by small armies of Spanish infantry. You have 15 minutes to do so; as long as you keep your army moving the whole time, you won't run out of time and the Spanish army isn't even a real threat to you.
Seville - Seville is a "Field Battle" battle. You have an Army (no economics in this scenario) and have to destroy an enemy base on the other side of the map in less than 15 minutes. Spanish infantry and cavalry lay all the way between you and the base, ready to skirmish with you. It is just slightly less easy than Castille.
Madrid - Madrid is harder. It is a Conquest, but your enemy has fortifications and armies. It is sort of a ramped-up Field Battle.
THE ITALIANS
Make peace with any enemies, and then declare war on the Papal States (Italians).
The first mission is a rather strange one. Reflecting a real Napoleonic battle, the Italians have sabotaged many of their own Cities and buildings, and retreated south where their actual base is.
You begin with only an Army, but the orange (sabotaged) cities are so easy to conquer that it is rather easy. You also will probably happen across Commander Schwarzenburg (a third-party cavalryman hiding around the orange units). He will offer to, for a price of Tribute, provide military services. Accept the deal. Afterwards, he and a force of Commandoes will go about destroying everything they can. Although the Italian infantry will shoot many down, more Commandoes keep coming, so Italy will stay in a state of chaos.
Build up your economy and military, and then just fight your way through the Italians. I used Spies (both their Informers and Bribe abilities) to throw the Italians into chaos and wipe out their militaries.
Once you finish your assault on Piedmont, head into North Italy. This mission is the fictitious "Battle of Rome".
The goal here is to capture Rome, and this is the easiest scenario in the entire CTW. The Italians only own Rome (a very weak city) and another little city north of it. The Austrians, backing up the Italians, have a city southeast of Rome, but both sides have such little armies that you can really just march straight into Rome. Alas, you also have to take the Austrian capital, so you need to build a small economy and military.
Now, here's where diplomacy really gets involved in the campaign:
The Austrians have demanded for you to leave Northern Italy, in exchange for a little gift of Tribute. Accept it.
By now, you should have the Advisor Talleyrand card. Play it on the Austrians, and invade North Italy (which they have taken in your absence). Then conquer it (it is the exact same scenario, but the Austrians replace the Italians and they have no ally, only simplifying it even more).
The Austrians will make the same demand again. Refuse. Then you receive a message: the Austrians have declared war!
SOME THINGS TO DO DURING THE CAMPAIGN
Make sure to bribe Portugal, Switzerland, and any other Western European states you can. Always offer around 40 Tribute; if they say "You can never make us surrender our independence!" or whatever it is then they CAN be bought, but for huge amounts of Tribute that won't be worth your while.
Also position your armies to where most, or all (if possible) territories bordering Austrian land are defended.
FRENCH-AUSTRIAN WAR
I, sadly, cannot remember what territories you must fight your way through to reach Austria. However, I can describe the general route:
There are three battles in this war. One is in Austria (the capital), one is in a vassal state capital linked to Austria (Bavaria, I think; it is light blue) and the other is a territory connected to either part of France or Piedmont.
The first battle, the Battle of Lodi, has you starting off with control of a City (in the west) and the goal of taking two side-by-side Cities (Milan and Lodi) in the center of the map. Just rush them. Supposedly, the people of Milan will lay down arms if you bring a large enough army into battle. I brought my starting army and reinforcements from another territory, and they didn't surrender, so I just conquered them the old-fashioned way.
Next, you must fight your way through what I have called, probably incorrectly, Bavaria. This is a bit more interesting: you are to take the capital, and you can just rush them, but you also have the option of buying Turkish Unique Units from a nearby Persian "Merchant", at a cost of Tribute rather than normal resources. Do what you please with the Merchant; I purchases 3 Bombards for 6 Tribute.
Your last battle is the Battle of Wagram. You control Vienna, but the Austrians have retreated from their capital and set up their government in Wagram, in the northern corner of the map. You begin in the south. Your first goal is to take two cities in the middle (across a river), which can be accomplished by rushing, and then to take Wagram. Unfortunately, they are well-defended and will not be rush-able: you'll have to boom and then destroy the Austrians defenses around Wagram, which by then will include extra Cities they built to try to keep their economy in check with yours. Complicating this are a counterattack on Vienna from an Austrian city in the east (I just rushed them before they attacked, dealing with that) and a small island between the middle of the map and Vienna, which is occupied by a large army of Austrian soldiers. If you don't want to have to keep replacing your Caravans (which will travel along this island), you'll have to deal with the army.
But, upon this conquest, all of the Austrian Empire will submit to you! This gives you control of most of Continental Europe (not counting in Russia). Several nation-states (the Poles, Dutch, Saxons, Prussians, and others) will be scattered about.
THE LAST GREAT CONQUEST (FOR NOW)
Simple: attack the Dutch in their capital territory. This is a Conquest mission, also, so it really requires no explaining. Once you have emerged victorious you will own Holland and Dano-Norway.
NAPOLEON'S FAILURE: GREAT BRITAIN
Here's where I got sent into Exile. I planned on conquering Great Britain, and thus eliminating the British. I was caught in a war of attrition, though, and ended up with around 20 minutes left (definitely not enough to win the scenario), so I just threw in the towel.
The scenario is called the "Battle of Great Britain". You start out owning three Cities, with a struggling economy, in Brittany, and must capture the British capital. The British Isles are very interesting, in this scenario, because of how their layout affects your army.
You can divide this map into four, five, or six regions if you like, the regions being:
- Brittany, England, Scotland, Ireland
- Brittany, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
- Brittany, South England, London, Manchester, Scotland, Ireland
What would, in the real-world, be England and Wales contains four cities: Plymouth (a large eastern seaport), a city whose name I've forgotten (a small, middle-south city with only defenses), London (in the west, a huge city but not heavily-fortified), and Manchester, a city in the middle on the larger isle (the technical name of which is Albion) that isn't large nor heavily desirable but will, once you conquer England/Wales, become a heavily-contested point as you and the British duke it out for control of Middle Albion.
Scotland has two cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh is larger, but Glasgow is a military base. The Scottish Mountains divide Scotland and England, so you will have to send troops along the coast or through the ocean just to invade or reinforce Scotland.
Ireland houses Dublin and another city, but isn't very strong. However, early on they house a huge navy in the Irish Channel, and will wage a costly and annoying naval war , bombarding Plymouth.
A short while before London is reduced the British government will flee to Scotland, meaning that the capital is moved to Edinburgh. This sudden move costed me too much time and I lost.
To follow this walkthrough, I'd suggest that you invade Great Britain, but then immediately surrender.
WATERLOO
The French people, stupid and misguided, have led a revolution and sent you into exile. Because you lost ONE battle. How stupid is that?
Anyways, France is now divided in a civil war: those who support you, and those who support the new Directorate that has been installed. Your only choice is to catch an allied army of Rebels, British, and Russians at the Battle of Waterloo and crush them.
The way you start the battle is simple: invaded Belgium (which the dang Brits have stolen from you in your absence; the Russians also took control of Seville). Like your days as an Officer, you only have that one option and can't conduct Diplomacy, due to the nations of Europe denouncing your government.
The battle is simple, and an easy-win. Just lead your massive army around the middle of the map, destroying any enemies you come across, and then capture Waterloo and hold it: afterwards, the enemy will come to you.
DIPLOMACY
Having found that you are still a major threat, the British will offer unconditional peace. Accept it. The Russians will not; just ignore them in the meanwhile. By invading Belgium a second time, you have won the Talleyrand card again, so play the Brits and Russians against each other. The Ottomans, at some point, will offer an alliance. Accept it.
PRUSSIA
Invade Prussia. This will be a Conquest scenario, but the Prussians have two allies, making this slightly difficult. It won't be particularly hard, but you will have to invest more time in this battle.
ATTACKING RUSSIA
Next, attack Western Russia. The mission reflects Napoleon's real-world assault on Russia, but it is much more likely to succeed than the historical counterpart. You have one army in the west, and your goal is to traverse a Black Map-covered map to the eastern capital of Moscow (shown by a revealed Kremlin). You also have a "hint" to attack Smolensk, which is revealed. Just move up to Smolensk and capture it. "Russian partisans" will raze their own city, as a scorched-earth policy, causing you to not be able to use it. Luckily, though, you can, if you have the Tribute, buy reinforcement Supply Wagons or cannon.
Continue on to the next Russian city (it will reveal another) and destroy it. Then march upon Moscow itself, and capture it. You have won control of Russia, and with it control of all of the major nations of Europe, except the Ottomans and British!
TACTICAL POSITIONING
While your doing these small operations against the Prussians and Russians, position Armies along the Ottoman border to where you can overwhelm the territory bordering their capital (I cannot remember the name, but it's in Eastern Europe and is connected via sea to Italy).
Once you can, overrun them there (of course, you must declare war). You have won territory without taking a Turn or Tribute!
SWEDEN
Invade Sweden (they won't become a vassal state) next. This scenario is basically just a Conquest one (though technically, it isn't); you will have to boom to win, though. If you have your armies positioned a certain way you will receive plenty of reinforcements.
BUYING OUT THE LITTLE PEOPLE
Now, buy any nation other than the British/Turks/Mamelukes into becoming a vassal state. Some, like the Maltese or Poles, will require about 100 Tribute to convince. You should have around 1000 Tribute to blow on this.
CONQUERING TURKEY
Now, invade the Ottoman capital of Turkey.
The mission is rather easy, but can get irritating. The map is divided into a peninsula (stretching from east to west) and three islands: one in the southeast, one in the southwest, and one in the west. Every island has a city on it; the western island belongs to you, and houses two cities. Your goal is the capital, which is in the middle of the eastern half of the peninsula (Ankara) and the city of Adana lies to the south of it, a major seaport.
Early on you should have three main goals: colonize the Peninsula, construct a powerful navy, and conquer Rhodes, which is the southeastern island. Rhodes has no real economic value, but is a major Ottoman naval base and can become a major naval base for yourself; it also holds the Colossus wonder.
Once you've conquered Rhodes, construct a small army to add onto your starting army and a navy of Bomb Ketches. Use the Bomb Ketches to destroy absolutely anything on the southeastern island, and then capture it with infantry. You will have to defend it from large Ottoman counterattacks, and will probably lose control, but you have now effectively destroyed the city, laying waste to most of its buildings and, if you move your main navy from Rhodes to that island, you can prevent them from building an economy.
Build a huge army and destroy almost everything in Ankara before capturing it. As a reward, you will get control of several Culverin Mahouts. Then, march onto Adana and use the same strategy of total war to wipe out most of the city. You will lose probably lose Ankara to Ottoman forces, but your path of destruction will have crippled them, leaving them at the mercy of any new attack.
The Mamelukes will have, with the fall of the Ottomans, gained their independence. Buy them out as a new vassal state.
GREAT BRITAIN: THE ENGLISH FRONT
You now own everything on the map except the British territories: Hanover, Corsica, and Great Britain. You should have two turns left, but just go straight for the capital.
The scenario is the same as the one I discussed before, but position your armies beforehand so that you get the maximum number of reinforcements possible.
This mission is so long and complicated, that I'll separate it into two sections: the English Front and the Scottish Front.
Begin by building a fleet of Bomb Ketches. Move along the coast of southern England and Wales, destroying absolutely anything. British ships and artillery will pray on your own navy, but just accept the casualties.
Once you have destroyed most of their fortifications land and reinforce your army at the southern-middle town (which I will dub "Landing", since I do not remember its name) and defend it from the initial counterattack. Build a second fleet of Bomb Ketches and begin laying waste to London and, if successful there, Edinburgh. Make sure to keep your navy strong.
You should be able to easily take Plymouth once the counterattacks have subsided, and then focus on London. Sure enough, the British government will flee to Scotland. Occupy London, and then fight off their remaining armies in Central Albion in till you can capture Manchester and repair all of the Cities. Establish a large military base in Manchester, including Anchorages. You will need it for the invasion of Scotland.
GREAT BRITAIN: THE SCOTTISH FRONT
While Scotland looks much weaker, it is a tactician's nightmare. Bombard Edinburgh with your Bomb Ketches, to keep it weak. Make all of your new troops Fusiliers and Horse Guard Grenadiers, to counter their Highlanders and cavalry. If you build a strong enough force, you can eventually wear their forces into oblivion.
The main problem in Scotland is that the Scottish Mountains will prevent you from just sending in troops (you can't even attempt to navigate the thin passes) straight north from England, wasting time, and the Brits will construct a military base in Glasgow. Eliminate the base, and their production will capitulate.
Once you've captured and held Edinburgh, you've won! Now the only strong, "civilized" nation in the world other than your own is the United States of America!
In the Napoleon campaign, you can, at any time, be in one of these three political positions: Officer, Emperor, or Exiled. I will explain what that means.
Officer
--------
You begin as an Officer in the French Military. The French Directorate gives you orders on whom to attack in a military campaign (in this walkthrough, I will use "campaign" to refer to a series of related battles). However, you can choose what campaign you want to fight. The campaigns are:
Western Campaign
- East France
- Brittany
- Belgium
Italian Campaign
I'm not sure, but I'd say its:
- Piedmont
- North Italy
- Naples
And after you complete one of the two, you have to choose another campaign to fight. The choices this time around are:
Spanish Campaign
- Seville
- Castille
- Madrid
Mediterranean Campaign
- Tunisia
- Sardinia
- Corscia
(once again, guesswork)
Emperor
--------
If you victor in both campaigns you fight, you will be crowned Emperor. This means that the pesky Directorate has been done away with, and now you can decide your foreign policy and attacking route.
Exile
-----
But there's a twist to being Emperor: if you lose a single battle in that political position, you will be sent to "exile". This means that, besides having wasted a turn, the diplomatic climate of Europe will become much more hostile towards you and you'll have to reunify France by fighting at Waterloo (which Napoleon historically lost). I was sent into Exile, so in order to retrace my steps, if you so wish, you'll have to "aim to lose" in a certain scenario (I'll explain that later).
CONQUESTS
In a Conquest scenario, just go for a straight, out-right rush. Make sure to build an economy, but try to take out the enemy as soon as possible. Usually you will win in less than 5 minutes, even if the enemy has reinforcements. If you do not succeed (most likely due to having more than one enemy on the map), then the capture Cities will only serve to bolster your economy into a superpower.
TALLEYRAND AND FOUCHE
There are two cards that can played on the Strategic Map in addition to a normal battle: Advisor Talleyrand and Advisor Fouche. Always play them on the Strategic Map; their bonuses in a battle just aren't worth it.
THE WESTERN CAMPAIGN
Choose the Western Campaign first. To do this, you just have to invade East France.
The scenario has you possessing three Cities (in a vertical strip running down the middle of the map) and a small army. Royalist rebels are attacking the region, and you must outlast them for 15 minutes, not losing a single City. This means that no Cities can even be CAPTURED: if you lose it, your dead, with no chance to regain it.
Send two of your starting Cannon to the northern City and two to the southern one. Just try to evenly distribute army production throughout the cities, and you will be fine.
Make sure not to spend any Tribute in till you finish your invasion of Belgium (I'll explain why when the time comes).
Now, you have to invade Brittany. In this mission you start with a strip of Cities at the anti-tip (can't think of the word) of a peninsula, and your goal is to capture the British capital, at the tip of the peninsula. Your starting army will not be enough to capture every City, and the sea is lousy with British ships, so build a large navy and peruse the seas, hunting down the enemy navy, and make sure to reinforce your army.
Next is Belgium. Don't bother sending your troops in for a rush. Instead, wait in till you receive a message from an "Austrian runner". The message is an offer from the Austrians that they, if you pay them 20 Tribute, will leave you alone, and for 50 Tribute, will help you submit the Dutch (who have no military). Accept both offers. You HAVE to do it to win the scenario: otherwise, within 10 minutes the Austrians will amass over 30 Cannons and go directly for your capital: there's no way to win otherwise.
THE SPANISH CAMPAIGN
Now, invade Castille. This begins the Spanish Campaign, which is quite easily won.
Castille - Castille is just a "Guerrilla" battle. You start out with a City and Army, and have to destroy 15 hidden Spanish Barracks, scattered around the map and guarded by small armies of Spanish infantry. You have 15 minutes to do so; as long as you keep your army moving the whole time, you won't run out of time and the Spanish army isn't even a real threat to you.
Seville - Seville is a "Field Battle" battle. You have an Army (no economics in this scenario) and have to destroy an enemy base on the other side of the map in less than 15 minutes. Spanish infantry and cavalry lay all the way between you and the base, ready to skirmish with you. It is just slightly less easy than Castille.
Madrid - Madrid is harder. It is a Conquest, but your enemy has fortifications and armies. It is sort of a ramped-up Field Battle.
THE ITALIANS
Make peace with any enemies, and then declare war on the Papal States (Italians).
The first mission is a rather strange one. Reflecting a real Napoleonic battle, the Italians have sabotaged many of their own Cities and buildings, and retreated south where their actual base is.
You begin with only an Army, but the orange (sabotaged) cities are so easy to conquer that it is rather easy. You also will probably happen across Commander Schwarzenburg (a third-party cavalryman hiding around the orange units). He will offer to, for a price of Tribute, provide military services. Accept the deal. Afterwards, he and a force of Commandoes will go about destroying everything they can. Although the Italian infantry will shoot many down, more Commandoes keep coming, so Italy will stay in a state of chaos.
Build up your economy and military, and then just fight your way through the Italians. I used Spies (both their Informers and Bribe abilities) to throw the Italians into chaos and wipe out their militaries.
Once you finish your assault on Piedmont, head into North Italy. This mission is the fictitious "Battle of Rome".
The goal here is to capture Rome, and this is the easiest scenario in the entire CTW. The Italians only own Rome (a very weak city) and another little city north of it. The Austrians, backing up the Italians, have a city southeast of Rome, but both sides have such little armies that you can really just march straight into Rome. Alas, you also have to take the Austrian capital, so you need to build a small economy and military.
Now, here's where diplomacy really gets involved in the campaign:
The Austrians have demanded for you to leave Northern Italy, in exchange for a little gift of Tribute. Accept it.
By now, you should have the Advisor Talleyrand card. Play it on the Austrians, and invade North Italy (which they have taken in your absence). Then conquer it (it is the exact same scenario, but the Austrians replace the Italians and they have no ally, only simplifying it even more).
The Austrians will make the same demand again. Refuse. Then you receive a message: the Austrians have declared war!
SOME THINGS TO DO DURING THE CAMPAIGN
Make sure to bribe Portugal, Switzerland, and any other Western European states you can. Always offer around 40 Tribute; if they say "You can never make us surrender our independence!" or whatever it is then they CAN be bought, but for huge amounts of Tribute that won't be worth your while.
Also position your armies to where most, or all (if possible) territories bordering Austrian land are defended.
FRENCH-AUSTRIAN WAR
I, sadly, cannot remember what territories you must fight your way through to reach Austria. However, I can describe the general route:
There are three battles in this war. One is in Austria (the capital), one is in a vassal state capital linked to Austria (Bavaria, I think; it is light blue) and the other is a territory connected to either part of France or Piedmont.
The first battle, the Battle of Lodi, has you starting off with control of a City (in the west) and the goal of taking two side-by-side Cities (Milan and Lodi) in the center of the map. Just rush them. Supposedly, the people of Milan will lay down arms if you bring a large enough army into battle. I brought my starting army and reinforcements from another territory, and they didn't surrender, so I just conquered them the old-fashioned way.
Next, you must fight your way through what I have called, probably incorrectly, Bavaria. This is a bit more interesting: you are to take the capital, and you can just rush them, but you also have the option of buying Turkish Unique Units from a nearby Persian "Merchant", at a cost of Tribute rather than normal resources. Do what you please with the Merchant; I purchases 3 Bombards for 6 Tribute.
Your last battle is the Battle of Wagram. You control Vienna, but the Austrians have retreated from their capital and set up their government in Wagram, in the northern corner of the map. You begin in the south. Your first goal is to take two cities in the middle (across a river), which can be accomplished by rushing, and then to take Wagram. Unfortunately, they are well-defended and will not be rush-able: you'll have to boom and then destroy the Austrians defenses around Wagram, which by then will include extra Cities they built to try to keep their economy in check with yours. Complicating this are a counterattack on Vienna from an Austrian city in the east (I just rushed them before they attacked, dealing with that) and a small island between the middle of the map and Vienna, which is occupied by a large army of Austrian soldiers. If you don't want to have to keep replacing your Caravans (which will travel along this island), you'll have to deal with the army.
But, upon this conquest, all of the Austrian Empire will submit to you! This gives you control of most of Continental Europe (not counting in Russia). Several nation-states (the Poles, Dutch, Saxons, Prussians, and others) will be scattered about.
THE LAST GREAT CONQUEST (FOR NOW)
Simple: attack the Dutch in their capital territory. This is a Conquest mission, also, so it really requires no explaining. Once you have emerged victorious you will own Holland and Dano-Norway.
NAPOLEON'S FAILURE: GREAT BRITAIN
Here's where I got sent into Exile. I planned on conquering Great Britain, and thus eliminating the British. I was caught in a war of attrition, though, and ended up with around 20 minutes left (definitely not enough to win the scenario), so I just threw in the towel.
The scenario is called the "Battle of Great Britain". You start out owning three Cities, with a struggling economy, in Brittany, and must capture the British capital. The British Isles are very interesting, in this scenario, because of how their layout affects your army.
You can divide this map into four, five, or six regions if you like, the regions being:
- Brittany, England, Scotland, Ireland
- Brittany, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
- Brittany, South England, London, Manchester, Scotland, Ireland
What would, in the real-world, be England and Wales contains four cities: Plymouth (a large eastern seaport), a city whose name I've forgotten (a small, middle-south city with only defenses), London (in the west, a huge city but not heavily-fortified), and Manchester, a city in the middle on the larger isle (the technical name of which is Albion) that isn't large nor heavily desirable but will, once you conquer England/Wales, become a heavily-contested point as you and the British duke it out for control of Middle Albion.
Scotland has two cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh is larger, but Glasgow is a military base. The Scottish Mountains divide Scotland and England, so you will have to send troops along the coast or through the ocean just to invade or reinforce Scotland.
Ireland houses Dublin and another city, but isn't very strong. However, early on they house a huge navy in the Irish Channel, and will wage a costly and annoying naval war , bombarding Plymouth.
A short while before London is reduced the British government will flee to Scotland, meaning that the capital is moved to Edinburgh. This sudden move costed me too much time and I lost.
To follow this walkthrough, I'd suggest that you invade Great Britain, but then immediately surrender.
WATERLOO
The French people, stupid and misguided, have led a revolution and sent you into exile. Because you lost ONE battle. How stupid is that?
Anyways, France is now divided in a civil war: those who support you, and those who support the new Directorate that has been installed. Your only choice is to catch an allied army of Rebels, British, and Russians at the Battle of Waterloo and crush them.
The way you start the battle is simple: invaded Belgium (which the dang Brits have stolen from you in your absence; the Russians also took control of Seville). Like your days as an Officer, you only have that one option and can't conduct Diplomacy, due to the nations of Europe denouncing your government.
The battle is simple, and an easy-win. Just lead your massive army around the middle of the map, destroying any enemies you come across, and then capture Waterloo and hold it: afterwards, the enemy will come to you.
DIPLOMACY
Having found that you are still a major threat, the British will offer unconditional peace. Accept it. The Russians will not; just ignore them in the meanwhile. By invading Belgium a second time, you have won the Talleyrand card again, so play the Brits and Russians against each other. The Ottomans, at some point, will offer an alliance. Accept it.
PRUSSIA
Invade Prussia. This will be a Conquest scenario, but the Prussians have two allies, making this slightly difficult. It won't be particularly hard, but you will have to invest more time in this battle.
ATTACKING RUSSIA
Next, attack Western Russia. The mission reflects Napoleon's real-world assault on Russia, but it is much more likely to succeed than the historical counterpart. You have one army in the west, and your goal is to traverse a Black Map-covered map to the eastern capital of Moscow (shown by a revealed Kremlin). You also have a "hint" to attack Smolensk, which is revealed. Just move up to Smolensk and capture it. "Russian partisans" will raze their own city, as a scorched-earth policy, causing you to not be able to use it. Luckily, though, you can, if you have the Tribute, buy reinforcement Supply Wagons or cannon.
Continue on to the next Russian city (it will reveal another) and destroy it. Then march upon Moscow itself, and capture it. You have won control of Russia, and with it control of all of the major nations of Europe, except the Ottomans and British!
TACTICAL POSITIONING
While your doing these small operations against the Prussians and Russians, position Armies along the Ottoman border to where you can overwhelm the territory bordering their capital (I cannot remember the name, but it's in Eastern Europe and is connected via sea to Italy).
Once you can, overrun them there (of course, you must declare war). You have won territory without taking a Turn or Tribute!
SWEDEN
Invade Sweden (they won't become a vassal state) next. This scenario is basically just a Conquest one (though technically, it isn't); you will have to boom to win, though. If you have your armies positioned a certain way you will receive plenty of reinforcements.
BUYING OUT THE LITTLE PEOPLE
Now, buy any nation other than the British/Turks/Mamelukes into becoming a vassal state. Some, like the Maltese or Poles, will require about 100 Tribute to convince. You should have around 1000 Tribute to blow on this.
CONQUERING TURKEY
Now, invade the Ottoman capital of Turkey.
The mission is rather easy, but can get irritating. The map is divided into a peninsula (stretching from east to west) and three islands: one in the southeast, one in the southwest, and one in the west. Every island has a city on it; the western island belongs to you, and houses two cities. Your goal is the capital, which is in the middle of the eastern half of the peninsula (Ankara) and the city of Adana lies to the south of it, a major seaport.
Early on you should have three main goals: colonize the Peninsula, construct a powerful navy, and conquer Rhodes, which is the southeastern island. Rhodes has no real economic value, but is a major Ottoman naval base and can become a major naval base for yourself; it also holds the Colossus wonder.
Once you've conquered Rhodes, construct a small army to add onto your starting army and a navy of Bomb Ketches. Use the Bomb Ketches to destroy absolutely anything on the southeastern island, and then capture it with infantry. You will have to defend it from large Ottoman counterattacks, and will probably lose control, but you have now effectively destroyed the city, laying waste to most of its buildings and, if you move your main navy from Rhodes to that island, you can prevent them from building an economy.
Build a huge army and destroy almost everything in Ankara before capturing it. As a reward, you will get control of several Culverin Mahouts. Then, march onto Adana and use the same strategy of total war to wipe out most of the city. You will lose probably lose Ankara to Ottoman forces, but your path of destruction will have crippled them, leaving them at the mercy of any new attack.
The Mamelukes will have, with the fall of the Ottomans, gained their independence. Buy them out as a new vassal state.
GREAT BRITAIN: THE ENGLISH FRONT
You now own everything on the map except the British territories: Hanover, Corsica, and Great Britain. You should have two turns left, but just go straight for the capital.
The scenario is the same as the one I discussed before, but position your armies beforehand so that you get the maximum number of reinforcements possible.
This mission is so long and complicated, that I'll separate it into two sections: the English Front and the Scottish Front.
Begin by building a fleet of Bomb Ketches. Move along the coast of southern England and Wales, destroying absolutely anything. British ships and artillery will pray on your own navy, but just accept the casualties.
Once you have destroyed most of their fortifications land and reinforce your army at the southern-middle town (which I will dub "Landing", since I do not remember its name) and defend it from the initial counterattack. Build a second fleet of Bomb Ketches and begin laying waste to London and, if successful there, Edinburgh. Make sure to keep your navy strong.
You should be able to easily take Plymouth once the counterattacks have subsided, and then focus on London. Sure enough, the British government will flee to Scotland. Occupy London, and then fight off their remaining armies in Central Albion in till you can capture Manchester and repair all of the Cities. Establish a large military base in Manchester, including Anchorages. You will need it for the invasion of Scotland.
GREAT BRITAIN: THE SCOTTISH FRONT
While Scotland looks much weaker, it is a tactician's nightmare. Bombard Edinburgh with your Bomb Ketches, to keep it weak. Make all of your new troops Fusiliers and Horse Guard Grenadiers, to counter their Highlanders and cavalry. If you build a strong enough force, you can eventually wear their forces into oblivion.
The main problem in Scotland is that the Scottish Mountains will prevent you from just sending in troops (you can't even attempt to navigate the thin passes) straight north from England, wasting time, and the Brits will construct a military base in Glasgow. Eliminate the base, and their production will capitulate.
Once you've captured and held Edinburgh, you've won! Now the only strong, "civilized" nation in the world other than your own is the United States of America!
[This message has been edited by Random Username (edited 01-01-2010 @ 09:47 PM).]