The Turkish

GAMING PERIODS…

EARLY PERIOD

The Turks have a simple first choice – attack either Byzantine or the Egyptians. Access to the steppes is limited by the need to conquer Georgia (Byzantine), and there are no nearby rebel provinces for instant and easy conquest. Whichever enemy is chosen, keep the peace with the other bordering faction. A two front war will be difficult to survive, let alone win.

That said, the Egyptians to the south own some very rich land, with gems and spices than can create a large amount of trade. On the other hand, every province taken from the Byzantine Empire to the west is a double bonus, because most have special troops you can train. Seizing these provinces means you’ve weakened the Byzantine armies by depriving them of specialist troops. But be aware that the Byzantines have many high-ranking generals and strong armies. A war with them will be long, costly, and difficult.

Starting units :

2 Desert Archers
5 Horse Archers
2 Peasants
4 Spearmen
2 Bedouin Camel Warriors
1 Ghulam Bodyguards
1 Emissaries

Faction Difficulty Rating : Hard

The key region to take if you are to defeat Byzantium is Trebizond. But before you take it, you must capture Lesser Armenia and Georgia. If you are allied with the Egyptians, they will help with lesser Armenia, but you will have to take Georgia on your own. Take too long and the Byzantines will move their forces north in Khazar. This makes it difficult to take Trebizond, and means the Byzantines have a strong counterattack when their northern army turns around to attack you.

Capture Trebizond, sweep through Anatolia and Nicea, and then move on to Constantinople. You may find the Hungarians will attack the Byzantines as well. This joint offensive will drive them from the main land and leave them confined to the islands of Crete, Cyprus and Rhodes. Once this is done, push on north into the Novgorod lands. Their regions surrounding the Black sea have many tradable goods. Increase your trade networks. Enhanced by the addition of the great port at Constantinople, it will fund your march through Europe.

HIGH PERIOD

Now get ready for the coming storm. The Mongols! The Mongols! As the high Period begins, the Turks are likely to be in the front line against the numberless hordes from the steppe, and any strategy you choose needs to take this into account.The Byzantine Empire makes a very tempting target, however. It is at its most vulnerable before it has chance to retake Constantinople, so the temptation to crush the Empire may be worth indulging to the full! Grab as many rebellious provinces as possible, as early as possible.

Destroy the Byzantines, and then turn south and plan to weather the great Mongol migration. The Turks, if they can prosper, have some excellent exclusive military units and can do very well at this time.

Starting units :

1 Futuwwas
2 Turoman Horse
2 Horse Archers
1 Peasants
3 Spearmen
1 Ghulam Bodyguards
1 Emissaries

Faction Difficulty Rating : Hard.

LATE PERIOD

Starting units :

1 Futuwwas
2 Turoman Horse
2 Horse Archers
1 Ghulam Bodyguards
1 Emissaries

Faction Difficulty Rating : Easy.

In terms of military potential, the Late Period may be the best of the Turkish starting positions. Turkish exclusive units are late arrivals in the game, and there are nearby rebel provinces that can be quickly overrun.

There are also several wealthy provinces nearby to finance it all. Decide quickly whether your main early effort will be to conquer the Byzantines or to take the Middle East.

The Byzantine Empire can only get relatively weaker over time, unless it has enough time to gather a war chest to pay mercenaries. Georgia also needs to be secured as some point to delay invasion from the north.