Berthout
Knight
I'll try to write a decent guide in this topic about all the factions, units and in future perhaps weapons. You are also more then welcome to debate them in here or make suggestions for the guide. I'll try not only to talk about their role in the game but also give some historical background.
Factions
The unit list does not include mercenaries employed by some factions or veterans.
The Kingdom of Denmark
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Danish Militia,Danish Regular,Danish Grenadier,Danish Dragoon,Norwegian Skier
Denmark is in a bit of a difficult situation. Even though it has important trade connections with Britain it cannot afford to come into full conflict with the French Empire. Added to this it has continued rivalry with Sweden over Norway. Because Sweden has declared itself a enemy of France ever since the revolution worse relations with Britain might be a price to pay in return for support from Napoleon.
The Kingdom of Sweden
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Coalition member
Units: Swedish Recruit,Swedish Regular,Finnish Marksman,Swedish Dragoon
Located in a corner of the Map Sweden is quite safe from looting armies. Nevertheless it is far from sure that this relatively small nation hasn't entered a conflict that is out of it's league. The biggest challenge will be to protect Swedish Pomerania. A conflict would be a huge risk but also offer great possibilities.
The Electorate of Bavaria
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Allied with France
Units: Bavarian recruit,Bavarian Regular
Although formally independent Bavaria has become a bit of a puppet state from France, without whose support it would not be able to withstand it's long conflict with Austria. Chances are that the main fighting between France and Austria will take place on Bavarian soil.
The French Empire
Size: Large
Diplomacy: Main enemy of the coalition
Units: French Conscript,French Fusillier,French Voltigeur,French Grenadier,French Dragoon,French Dismounted Dragoon,French Hussar,French Horse Chasseur,French Cuirassier
This is the army to beat. Their soldiers might not be the very best, both infantry and cavalry are very good. The French army is balanced and good in everything. Especially in logistics which allows them to have slightly larger armies in the field then other nations. They are also certain of support from their Dutch and Italian vassal states. While being capable of fighting a war on multiple fronts, imperial overstretch might become something to worry about when the game progresses. Cuirassiers and Grenadiers are probably the best units they can bring into the field. Unlike most other factions they don't arm their light infantry, the voltigeurs, with rifles but with muskets.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain
Size: Large
Diplomacy: Leader of the coalition
Units: British Volunteer,British Regular,British Grenadier,British Rifle,Highlander,British Light Dragoon,British Heavy Dragoon,KGL Hussar
In 1805 the British army is still far away from what it is in the peninsular war. After the disastrous campaign in Flanders (1793-94) it was clear that reforms where needed. By now the infantry has become quite good but the cavalry is still a weak point. Because dragoons are cheaper all British cavalry was transformed to either Light or Heavy Dragoons. Their equipment is average and their training horrible. The one exception to this is the King's German Legion. Their Hussars can hold their own against any other in Europe.
The Papal states
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Papal Recruit,Papal Regular
The Kingdom of Portugal
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Portuguese Recruit,Portuguese Regular,Portuguese Cacadores,Portuguese Dragoon
The Kingdoms Naples and Sicily
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral, high probability of conflict with the Ottoman Empire.
Units: Sicilian Recruit,Sicilian Regular,Sicilian Dragoon
The Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily are in a personal union under Ferdinand (IV in Naples and III in Sicily) and who would later become king of the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily as Ferdinand I. As a Catholique ruler he has a natural dislike for both the Ottoman Empire and, since the Revolution, France.
The Kingdom of Spain
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Allied with France
Units: Spanish Recruit,Spanish Regular,Spanish Heavy Cavalry
In 1805 the stealthy invasion hasn't taken place yet and Spain is still a thrusted ally of France.
The County of Nassau
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Nassau Recruit,Nassau Regular
The Austrian Empire
Size: Large
Diplomacy: Coalition member
Units: Austrian Recruit,Austrian Volunteer,Austrian Regular,Austrian Grenadier,Austrian Jaeger,Tyrolean Jaeger,Polish Uhlan,Hungarian Hussar,Austrian Kurassier
The Austrian infantry is decent but the true power comes from their cavalry. The Hungarians have the best hussars and the Polish Uhlans employed by the Austrian empire are lethal. The biggest threat for the Austrian empire comes from it's central location. A war with both France and the Ottoman empire could prove to be to much. Worse still, it's far from sure that the Prussians can be trusted.
The Serbian Revolutiony State
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral, war with the Ottoman Empire
Units: Serbian Rebel,Serbian Militia,Serbian Revolutionary
After the Slaughter of the Knezes in 1804 the Serbians rebelled against their Ottoman governor and selected chose their own government and parliament. While the revolt is mostly aimed at the corrupt governors and not the Ottoman Sultan itself a direct conflict with the Ottoman empire is unavoidable. The Serbians don't have a regular army and will have to use guerilla tactics to survive to upcoming conflict.
The Electorate of Saxony
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Saxon Recruit,Saxon Regular,Saxon Hussar
One of the German states that constantly tried to be on the winning side in the conflict between Prussia and France. This however could turn out to be a dangerous game as it isn't strong enough to take on either one of these states.
The Ottoman Empire
Size: Large
Diplomacy: Neutral, War with Serbian rebel state, high probability of conflict with the Kingdoms Naples and Sicily.
Units: Ottoman Recruit,Nizam-I Cedit,Janissary,Sipahi
The Ottoman Empire is not what is used to be. It has become painfully obvious that the traditional warrior class that protected the empire is no longer capable in doing so. Change, however, might lead to civil war and the new Nizam-I Cedit soldiers in European Style are not yet experienced enough to take over from the Janissaries. A constant problem for the Ottomans is the large amount of bandits and rebels.
The Kingdom of Italy
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Vassal state of the French Empire
Units: Italian Recruit,Italian Regular
This Vassal of the French Empire is in full conflict with the Austrian Empire. Expect some bitter fighting against vast Austrian Armies. Support from France might be essential if this small, new kingdom is to survive.
The Kingdom of Prussia
Size: Large
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Prussian Conscript,Prussian Musketeer,Prussian Schuetzen,Prussian Grenadier,Prussian Jaeger,Prussian Dragoon,Prussian Kurassier,Prussian Hussar,Brandenburger Uhlan
Prussia starts as a neutral state. This time can best be used to get a decent army as it is far from sure they can stop a foreign invasion. Frederick The Great made Prussia to what it is today but after his death reforms halted and the Prussian army is still organised like in those glorious days. Worse still is that their equipment has become outdated. The only musket worse then the Prussian standard infantry musket is those used by the Russians. This makes their infantry vastly inferior in both range and reload time then their French and Austrian colleagues. The cavalry however still has an excellent reputation. Even though their mythical status is a bit exaggerated they do are above average.
The Dutchy of Wuerttemberg
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutral
Units: Wuerttemberger Recruit,Wuerttemberger Regular,Wuerttemberger Jaeger Zu Pferd
The Electorate of Hesse-kassel
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Neutrall
Units: Hessian Recruit,Hessian Regular,Hessian Grenadier,Hessian Hussar
This small German State became notorious for it's mercenaries that fought in many European armies. Hessian became even the name Americans gave to any Germanic soldier fighting for the British in the American war of independence. They also introduced the boot that became known as "the Hessian". There Hussars are well known and decent soldiers.
The Batavian Republic
Size: Small
Diplomacy: Vassal state of the French Empire
Units: Dutch Recruit,Dutch Regular,Dutch Grenadier,Dutch Dragoon
Just like the Kingdom of Italy the Batavian Republic is a vassal state of the French Empire. It has the advantage of not being at the front line and thus is more capable of taking the fight to the enemy.
The Russian Empire
Size: Large
Diplomacy: Coalition member
Units: Russian Conscript,Russian Regular,Russian Grenadier,Moscow Musketeer,Cossack,Russian Kalmuck,Russian Hussar,Russian Dragoon
Russian Infantry is exceptionally good. To bad that their equipment isn't. It's said that a Russian musket has more use as a club then as a firearm. This is why Russian soldiers often prefer to use captured enemy guns. In game this is reflected by the Moscow Musketeers who use French Charlevilles making them equal in ranged combat without loosing their melee advantage. The Russian cavalry is good but not exceptional. Thanks to it's large population they can have slightly larger armies then most others.