In the campaign, the French do not have access to regular 24 pounders, forcing them to rely on 12-pounders for most of their foot artillery firepower. France can also recruit 24-pounder guard artillery, upgrades over regular 24-pounders with superior accuracy and reload times. France can build 18-pounder horse guard artillery, a substantial improvement over the standard 6-pounders. The untrustworthy British may have to be swept aside or crushed, but what is wrong with that?įrance's major strengths are its unique artillery pieces, the guard artillery. No matter.įrance is surrounded by possibilities, and beyond Europe there are other continents to conquer and colonise: New France in North America, and the riches of India. The Austrian Habsburgs, and other European nations, may not be entirely willing to see a Frenchman or French nominee as King of Spain. Of course, not all offshoots of the Hapsburg line are weak as their Spanish cousins. A course of action that brings this about has much to recommend it. To the south, the lack of a Hapsburg heir in Spain – and the feeble-mindedness of Charles II – means that a Bourbon could one day rule in Madrid. There are sons and relations aplenty, with legitimate claims to many titles. The French Bourbon dynasty is strong, even though Louis XIV is aging. Few nations pose any real threat to his well-equipped armies and heavily fortified borders. In 1700, France is the pre-eminent power in Western Europe, with an unrivalled army, vast colonies and a King who is respected and feared by all, both at home and abroad.

Louis and his able ministers, Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin, were able to steer France away from the feudal struggles that hampered growth, and they created a centralised government where the King’s power is absolute. They achieved this in spite of a backdrop of strife and rebellion sparked by France’s involvement in the Thirty Years War. France has had fifty years of military and administrative excellence under Louis XIV, the Sun King and his servants.

Empire total war france