Economy
The economy is limited by just a single ore mine out on the island of Sardinia in the western Mediterranean and a trade city, Naples, on the mainland. There is also a gold mine on the mainland with the potential to generate extra money to boost the sate coffers. Of a similar size to Italy it has a fair number of food sites at in the productive southern climate, with wine and other natural resources, but with the one ore mine simply does not have the economic power to compete directly with the larger powers. Also Naples does start with a small colonial holding in Asia which could grow with a bit of care and attention to generate goods and money.
The Army
Naples begins the game with 17 brigades in Europe, the largest European army by far, and 2 brigades in the Asia. However these troops are spread between the mainland, North Africa and the two islands of Sardinia and Sicily so the advantage of numbers is unlikely to be brought together to any decisive advantage in the short term. Neapolitan troops are not the best European troops, though there are on a par with Spain and do have advantages over the armies of the Ottoman Empire and Morocco. The strongest assets are the Guard cavalry which are the only troop type better than the northern Italian neighbours.
The Navy
Naples starts with a reasonably sized navy, which given the geography of her starting position being split four ways is likely to be an essential asset for security and the movement of troops. However the skill and morale level of the navy is at the bottom of the scale and care should be taken to avoid a fight with the traditional naval powers of Britain, France or Holland.
Strategy
Naples position in 1808 is has advantages to exploit and disadvantages to be wary of. She has the luxury in the short term of only one neighbour to the north to be truly wary of and the advantage of the opportunity to expand immediately in North Africa. Relations with Italy will dominate the course of the game for Naples. An alliance with Italy will open opportunities to devote more resources to North Africa and the scramble for territory with Morocco. There might also prove to be scope for joint operations to the north if he trusts in the alliance builds. At the other end of the scale then war with Italy would be a fairly even match and likely a drawn out affair with honors to the greater general. The potential rewards of the whole of the Italian peninsula and added security might prove attractive but they will be hard fought and it is likely the consequences will be the opening of new borders with the larger powers of France and Austria. The geography of Naples starting position means that it is difficult for an enemy to invade Naples more than a quarter at a time, however if any part of the nation is lost the logistics of retaking it will prove problematic for Naples too. Even though she is in the relative isolation of the bottom of Italy, diplomacy (as with every nation) is key and should not be ignored. Contact should be made early on with all the nations around the Mediterranean or later it will prove difficult to build the alliances that will prove vital.
Conclusion
The sleepy Mediterranean kingdom of Naples is an interesting and challenging proposition. The army is unlikely to excite those who love the Old Guard and a great wealth of good troop types. Plus the economy is no powerhouse and there is a big gap between the capabilities of Naples and the true great power. However under a strong and resourceful leader with a good head for logistics then a colony could soon flourish in Africa or Italy could be reunited with Naples as the capital rather than Rome. Either path is viable way to expand and both paths will provide many enjoyable challenges for novice or experienced rulers. (written by Chris Panton)