Microsoft Game Studios - Rise of Nations

French: The Power of Leadership

France suits well the patient but offensively-minded player. In particular, a player who spends the early portions of the game building up economic and military strength, and expanding borders, arrives in the mid-game to a banquet of foes ripe for the plucking. Once you get to the Medieval Age, if you have planned well, you have great opportunities to make a push for early victory before your foes can advance to the late stages and fight back. Of course, luck is the residue of great planning, and you'll need some of it to grab the ring in the middle going.

In the Classical (second) Age, recruit the first of the powerful French heavy cavalry units, the Chevalier. The Chevalier is a more powerful version of the standard early-game Heavy Cavalry, the Cataphract. But it - and its successors - are about 20% more powerful in combat than other Heavy Cavalry.

When you reach the Medieval Age, upgrade to the Heavy Chevalier. This unit is followed, in the Gunpowder Age, by the Horse Grenadier. And finally, in the Enlightenment Age, horse grenadiers become Horse Guard Grenadiers. The combination of speed, improved combat power, and longevity make the French heavy cavalry series a very desirable asset. But these are not the only pluses to being a French player.

All French Generals, Spies, Scouts and Supply Wagons receive double Craft, cost 33% less, and are created 33% faster. These are major assets once you cross your national borders. To summarize the smorgasbord of offensive advantages this provides: among other things, Generals drive troops harder to help you win battles; Spies can trip up a foe's capabilities in his home territory (just one of their roles!); Scouts (as well as Spies) give you a better picture of what the bad guys are up to, and Supply vehicles keep an army up to strength while on the move.

French Combat Gallery

Heavy Infantry toe to toe in a Sino-Gallic clash

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A Chinese raiding party on the day the French economy tanked

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Unique Units

Chevalier - Heavy Cavalry, Classical Age (II)
Powerful, armored, shock melee units; stronger, tougher, and faster than ordinary Heavy Cavalry.

Heavy Chevalier - Heavy Cavalry, Medieval Age (III)
Powerful, armored, shock melee units; stronger, tougher, and faster than ordinary Heavy Cavalry.

Horse Grenadier - Heavy Cavalry, Gunpowder Age (IV)
Powerful, armored, shock melee units; stronger, tougher, and faster than ordinary Heavy Cavalry.

Horse Guard Grenadier - Heavy Cavalry, Enlightenment Age (V)Powerful, armored, shock melee units; stronger, tougher, and faster than ordinary Heavy Cavalry.