The Battle of the Nile is a historical battle in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
The Battle of the Nile or Aboukir Bay (August 1-2, 1798) enabled the British Navy to take the upper hand in the Mediterranean, destroying the French fleet and stranding Napoleon and his army in Egypt.
Narration[]
Egypt is not enough. Beyond: the road to India and the crushing of British hopes there. I told lies, I schemed, I got my army to Egypt. But “Perfidious Albion” does not like cleverness in others, and they fell upon my fleet in Aboukir Bay.
Pre-Battle Text[]
Napoleon: August 1st, 1798: Anchored off the coast of Alexandria, my fleet is under the command of Francois-Paul Brueys d'Aigeliers. The ships are in the shallow waters of Aboukir Bay to defend the gateway to Egypt.
To the northwest, in the open sea, a superior British fleet lies in wait under the command of Horatio Nelson.
An attack from the British is inevitable, but only a great Admiral would risk his ships in the shallow waters at night.
We must protect Alexandria at all costs and expect an attack in the morning.
Victory Text[]
Napoleon: The British, then, are not as cunning as they think. Their seamanship also leaves a little to be desired.
Defeat Text[]
Napoleon: What use is a fleet in a sea of sand? I have lost when I say I have lost!
General Information[]
Singleplayer[]
Map of initial deployment. British ships are red, and French ships are blue. The wind is blowing roughly easterly.
Winning the Battle of Arcole is required to unlock the Battle of the Nile.
The player controls the French fleet in an engagement against a British fleet. The French have the advantage in both quality and quantity: they have 10 ships to Great Britain's 8, and the French has largely superior ships, particularly its mighty 122-gun Ship-of-the-Line flagship. The French navy is somewhat upwind of the British navy, allowing it to fall back further if things go awry. In addition to the large number of frontline battle ships, the French fleet also have two frigates, which can be used to harass from a distance and hunt down retreating British ships.
Winning the Battle of the Nile or the Battle of the Pyramids unlocks the Battle of Trafalgar and the Battle of Austerlitz.
Units[]
French Navy
- Orient, 122-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Guillaume Tell, 80-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Tonnant, 80-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Timoleon, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Heureux, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Peuple Souverain, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Spartiate, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Guerner, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Diane, 38-gun Frigate
- Serieuse, 38-gun Frigate
British Navy
- HMS Vanguard, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Goliath, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Defence, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Theseus, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Orion, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Bellerophan, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Majestic, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Swiftsure, 74-gun Third Rate
Multiplayer[]
Map of initial deployment. British ships are red, and French ships are blue. The wind is blowing northerly.
The Battle of the Nile is also available in multiplayer, with identical unit compositions to the singleplayer version of the battle. The only difference is that the wind is blowing northerly instead of easterly. This allows the French to close the distance very quickly, should they wish to do so, but makes retreating more difficult. The British have the opposite advantages and disadvantages as they are downwind.
As with the singleplayer version of the battle, the British are outgunned and outnumbered. The player controlling the British must rely on superior micromanagement to prevail.
Units[]
French Navy
- Orient, 122-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Guillaume Tell, 80-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Tonnant, 80-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Timoleon, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Heureux, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Peuple Souverain, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Spartiate, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Guerner, 74-gun Ship-of-the-Line
- Diane, 38-gun Frigate
- Serieuse, 38-gun Frigate
British Navy
- HMS Vanguard, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Goliath, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Defence, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Theseus, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Orion, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Bellerophan, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Majestic, 74-gun Third Rate
- HMS Swiftsure, 74-gun Third Rate
| Napoleon: Total War Historical Battles | |
|---|---|
| Land Battles | Battle of Lodi • Battle of Arcole • Battle of the Pyramids • Battle of Austerlitz • Battle of Borodino • Battle of Dresden • Battle of Ligny • Battle of Waterloo • Battle of Friedland* |
| Sea Battles | Battle of the Nile • Battle of Trafalgar |