Clash of Sovereigns: The War of the Austrian Succession 1740-48

December 1740: Young King Frederick II led the army of the nascent Prussia in a surprise invasion of Austrian Silesia. He hoped for an easy conquest of the rich province at a time when the Austrian Empire seemed vulnerable after the death of Charles VI, king of Austria and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. But despite internal opposition to the "pragmatic sanction" that allowed a woman to inherit the throne, the new Austrian queen, Maria Theresa, was not intimidated by Frederick, nor by France's plan to place a Bavarian puppet candidate on the throne of the Holy Roman Empire, nor by Spanish designs on Austria's possessions in Italy.

In the midst of these conflicting dynastic ambitions, Frederick's local territorial coup turned out to be only the first act of a major European war that none of the great powers had foreseen - but all of them wished to profit from. It would eventually span eight years and half the globe.

COS features asymmetrical armies with distinct national characteristics and capabilities that have come together in alliances often fighting against conflicting objectives. The Bourbons and Pragmatists will benefit - or suffer - from the interactions between the different nations in their respective alliances.

The replay value of COS is high because the multiplicity of belligerents and theaters of operation means that the game will never play out the same way twice. Vienna may fall to the Prussians or the French; Paris and Naples may see Austrian white uniforms in their streets; and London may be besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie - or by invading French troops. Will the French put the Bavarian Charles VII on the throne of the Holy Roman Empire? Will Marshal Traun and the Austrian Croats take it back? Will Louis XV and George II clash in Flanders? And will anyone be able to stop De Saxe? -- find out!