Portugal (Napoleon: Total War)

For other uses of the term, see Portugal.

Flag of Portugal

Portugal is a minor faction in Napoleon: Total War.

Europe Campaign

Basics at start

• Protectorates – None
• Allies – None
• Trade Partners – None
• Enemies – None
• Religion – Catholic
• Government – Absolute Monarchy
• Ruler – Maria I
• Population – 2,955,000
• Power – Strong
• Wealth – Affluent
• Treasury – 5,000
• Technology - None
• Spies – None
• Gentlemen - None
• Generals - None
• Admirals - None

In the Europe Campaign, Portugal controls just its namesake region on the western side of the Iberian peninsula and is initially neutral in the conflict, though it has friendly relations with some of the coalition and is unfriendly toward France.

Its proximity to many trade nodes and its initial trading fleet can make it a wealthy faction. Its starting region is also excellent, with the potential for a Market, Trading Port, and a Gold Mine. This combination of factors make Portugal an excellent region to invade. 

Diplomacy

Initial diplomacy map

Despite its initial friendliness to some Coaliton factions and hostility toward France and its allies, Portugal tends to ally with Spain as the campaign progresses; it is so far removed from most other factions that it doesn't usually bother anyone else, or vice versa.

Below are a list of grievances/friendships other factions have with Portugal initially. This list is exhaustive; factions that are not listed do not have friendships or grievances (they are neutral).

Austria	France	Great Britain	Spain	Wurttemberg	Batavian Republic	Bavaria
-35	-65	+105	-80	-35	+35	-35
Hessen	Kingdom of Italy	Kingdom of Naples	Kingdom of Sardinia	Papal States	Swiss Confederation
-35	-80	-35	-35	-35	-35

Below are a list of grievances/friendships other factions have with Portugal should they emerge. This list is exhaustive; factions that are not listed do not have friendships or grievances (they are neutral).

Austria	France	Great Britain	Spain	Wurttemberg	Batavian Republic	Bavaria
-35	-65	+105	-80	-35	+35	-35
Belgium	Brittany	Catalonia	Hessen	Hungary	Ireland	Italy
-35	-35	-35	-35	-35	-35	-35
Kingdom of Italy	Kingdom of Naples	Kingdom of Sardinia	Papal States	Switzerland	Westphalia
-80	-35	-35	-35	-35	-35

The Peninsular Campaign

In the Peninsular Campaign, Portugal is the only non-playable faction in singleplayer and controls three regions in the map. It is allied to Spain and Great Britain and is hostile to France. In contrast to Spanish regions, which rejoin Spain if they have rebellions, successful rebellions that happen in the traditionally Portuguese regions of Coimbra, Beira or Porto Norte do not go back to Portugal but stay under the control of the rebel faction instead. Portugal is very passive, and rarely sends its troops past its borders. Like Spain, it has access to both priests and guerrillos. 

In multiplayer, Portugal is playable, with a strong starting position thanks to its bordering the ocean and its regions being home to strong allied British armies. While there are French forces nearby, Portugal has a strong local advantage in troop numbers.

Military

Portugal has a very lopsided roster. It has easily the worst cavalry in Napoleon: Total War, with only one non-general type available: the mediocre Portuguese Cavalry. On the other hand, its infantry are generally very good. Its light infantry, Cazadores, are the best light infantry in the game, tying with the formidable Prussian Fusiliers in terms of ranged capabilities while surpassing them in melee fighting. Tiradores, Portuguese skirmishers, have the second best reloading and accuracy out of standard skirmishers (slightly behind British Rifles). Portuguese line infantry, simply labeled "Infantry", are above average, with most of their statistics somewhere between Prussian Musketeers and British Foot. Portuguese grenadiers have slightly better reloading, accuracy, and morale than average. Even their militia are better than average, if only slightly. Portugal pays for all of these benefits with more expensive costs for each unit than average. It also lacks elite infantry of any kind. Portugal's artillery is lacking, fielding only foot artillery and lacking howitzers, mortars, horse artillery, or rockets of any kind.

Portugal's weaknesses make it a poor faction to play in maps that have multiple routes for flanking maneuvers, as its lack of horse artillery or decent cavalry makes it difficult to take advantage of these. However, in battles where its flanks and rear are protected (either by allies or by difficult terrain), Portugal is a strong faction, with its superior infantry often winning the frontal engagement.

Portugal has a fairly unique navy roster: it is the only faction that can build 86-gun ships-of-the-line, but it lacks steam-powered ships of any kind.