Muslim Armies, and Muslim Military strategy...

[Tigranes]

How do YOU use Muslim military types? I ask because I'm currently attempting an Expert Turkish campaign, and it's my first use of a Muslim faction. I usually stick with pagan (XL) or Catholic factions, infrequently using an Orthodox one.

There are a lot of units I'm unfamiliar with, and I can't just bring my old tactics with me. They don't work.

[acesman]

I have used the Turks a few times, the main elements of my army are;
-Saracen Infantry, to form a spear wall, the foundation of my armies.
-Turcoman Horse, used to harass the enemy before the main engagement, and as light pursuit cavalry for routed enemy troops.
-Ghazi Infantry, good flankers, armor piercing, sky-high morale, but poor defense. Still, if used carefully for flanking or routing, can be very effective.
-Armenian Heavy Cavalry, my best hard-hitters in the early era, I still tend to hold them back until the archers or spearmen wear down or fix the enemy in place, then I hit the enemy in the flank, if possible.
-Ghalum Bodyguards come with each noble, but they are expensive to keep or repair. Treat them like slow light cavalry.
-Turcoman Foot, a little stronger and faster then most archers, keep them out of melee.

When needed, I do use generic spearmen and archers, and camels are excellent in the desert. The Turkish army in the early period is one that relies on maneuver and missile fire more than hard hitting individual units.

Excellent guide to units and strategies can be found on the forum, Frogbeastegg in particular has done superb guides on both topics.

[Geezer57]

How do YOU use Muslim military types? I ask because I'm currently attempting an Expert Turkish campaign, and it's my first use of a Muslim faction. I usually stick with pagan (XL) or Catholic factions, infrequently using an Orthodox one.

There are a lot of units I'm unfamiliar with, and I can't just bring my old tactics with me. They don't work.

Forget about a heavy infantry slugging match - just about all your foot troop types are unsuitable until way late in the game (when you get Jannisary Heavy Infantry - at which point you're almost unbeatable). The only good "holding" unit is Saracen Infantry, a spear type unit with decent stats. You have no heavy axemen/swords for melee, but Ghazi Infantry have insane charge/attack/morale with horrible defense. So a good combination for infantry fighting is a mixture of Saracens to take and hold an enemy, while Ghazis run around the flanks/rear (they're fast foot, y'know?) and chew up the enemy from behind. Many of your infantry are archer/sword hybrids (Futuwwas and Turcoman Foot are examples) - Futuwwa have better attack and morale, but are poorly armored and have lower defense than Turcomans. So if you're planning on using your archers in melee after they run out of arrows, use the Futuwwas. But if your archers are there for defense, and might engage in an arrow duel with the enemy, then choose Turcomans.

The backbone of Turkish cavalry is the Turkoman Horse, a fast horse-archer with some melee capability. Skirmish with them until the enemy is depleted and tired, then think about ganging up in melee against isolated units.
For occasional-use semi-heavy cav, try to take Armenia, build up to Master Horse Breeder, and pump out Armenian Heavy Cavalry with the +2 valor bonus (+1 for Armenia, +1 for Master building). They're slightly better than Gulam Cavalry, with lower support costs. You can build them in Armenia, Rum, and Lesser Armenia (valor bonus only in Armenia).
You'll always aquire some Gulam Bodyguards, due to your heirs. Try to find time/resources to build some more, if for no other reason than to be able to repair/replentish your hiers' units. Even though GB's are only a 20-man unit, they'll fill the heavy cav role quite well. Just try not to get them stuck where they'll get completely destroyed - otherwise they valor-up quite quickly, and you can combine upvalored depleted units back into full-strength ones to keep your combat power high.

On the whole, though, the Turks are more of a "run and gun" faction than slugging match champions. You'll have much more success if you shoot up your enemies first, make them chase you around until they're tired and split up, then combine forces to destroy them in detail. It can be considerably more work for you as the commander, but when you win it's greatly rewarding!

[Crian]

The Turks are my favorite MTW faction!

As you've noticed, you really can't play them the same way you used Christian/Orthodox factions. In the early game, you'll have to make do with regular spearmen, supported by your Horse Archers and Turcoman Horse (learn to love 'em ). A lot of your infantry are hybrids (Turcoman Infantry, Futtuwas, and Ottoman Infantry during the High Period), don't let the pictures fool you, they are NOT to be used in melee, unless the enemy is outnumbered/near the breaking point/peasants.

Once you get Saracen Infantry, they'll form the brunt of your battle lines, supported by Ghazis (I personally don't like them 'cause they're ugly). I personally prefer Ottoman Infantry... raining down arrows then closing in for the kill aftwerwards (don't get me wrong, this is not very effective, I just like to do it ).

The cream of the Turkish military are the Janissary Heavy Infantry. Once you get them (quite late in the game), you're unstoppable. Don't bother with Janissary archers and infantry (trust me on this), stick with the Heavy Infantry. Khwarazmian cavalry (also late game) aren't very useful, despite their fearsome appearance. Also, despite their description, Ottoman Sipahi are best used as light cavalry (chasing horse archers, archers, routers, and flanking). Ghulams/Sippahis of the Porte are your best cavalry. Steppe Heavy Cavalry (can only be trained in the steppe provinces north of the Black Sea? I think) are also very good.

Oh, and all of the above apply if you have the expansion pack.

[mfberg]

Your bonused early units are the +2 valor AHC (Armenia), the +2v Turcoman horse (Tripoli) and +2v Turcoman Foot (Anatolia).
The slugging match with the catholics starts in High, with +1 valor Janissary Heavies from Bulgaria, +1 valor Janissary Archers from Georgia, Khwaraziam Cavalry (better than AHC on paper, but not unless they get some valor).

Your +2v Ottoman Sipahi (Rum, Edessa) and +2v AHC are the best cavalry units you get except the tiny (20 man) +1v Sipahi of the Porte (Tripoli) in Late. You also get your +2v Ottoman infantry (Rum) and your Late artillery is the envy of the catholic gun crews (fewer gun explosions) mortars, demi-cannon, seige cannon and serpentines.

Your ships are great in Early (deep sea, good attack Baggalas) mediocre in High, and dangerously outgunned in Late. Get control quick and don't give it up.

Jihads are Jihaderiffic. Defensive crusades, you can run as many as you want in any turn, but can only use them to take back land you have owned.

mfberg

[Tigranes]

Thanks for all the info!

Jihads are Jihaderiffic. Defensive crusades, you can run as many as you want in any turn, but can only use them to take back land you have owned.

So if I lose Wales (and, unfortunately, the three units of longbowmen), which I bribed to get, and which I probably will lose (0 loyalty, even at very low taxes), I can call a Jihad to try to get it back?

[acesman]

So if I lose Wales (and, unfortunately, the three units of longbowmen), which I bribed to get, and which I probably will lose (0 loyalty, even at very low taxes), I can call a Jihad to try to get it back?

Absolutely! And, if you're lucky, mow down some enemies on the way.

BTW, in the early period, you can get Khwaraziam Cavalry, but I agree that they are not as good as Armenian Heavies, except at taking damage in a melee, where their defense and armor allow them to stand in (a melee) longer than their Armenian brothers. And there is no place that increases their valor.