Nizam-I Cedit Rifles (ETW Unit)

Nizam-I Cedit Rifles (ETW Unit)
Class	Light Infantry
Unit Size	80 Men
Weaponry	Rifles
Morale
Melee Attack
Ranged Attack
Defence
Charge Bonus
Accuracy
Range
Ammunition
Region	Global
Recruitment Cost	530
Upkeep Cost	130
Turns to Build
Unit Limit
Building Requirements	Army Staff College
Technology Requirements	European Doctrine Machined Rifling
Attributes	Can skirmish Can hide in woodland Can hide in light scrub Can hide in long grass Can hide in buildings Good stamina Resistant to Heat Fatigue

These troops of the “new model” army are armed, equipped and trained in the latest Western European military fashion.

Overview

Fighting in formal order with tight control and disciplined fire is a new idea for Turkish forces; the traditional method has usually involved heavily armed and very brave men hurling themselves pell-mell at the enemy. The nizam-I cedit fight just as bravely, but with much more organisation. This “new model” army is such a break with the past that it has even adopted Western-style military dress for the most part.

Historically, the Nizam-I Cedit reforms were made vital by the repeatedly poor performance of the Ottoman armies against the Russians. The Empire’s inability to defend itself against a growing Slavic threat, and European predatory moves, was the reason why Turkey became the “sick man of Europe”. The French Revolutionary Republic (anxious for any allies at the time) provided much of the starting expertise that the Ottomans required for retraining their army in modern tactics and methods. The process was not without problems, though. The janissaries resented their loss of privileges and position and eventually the corps had to be disbanded.

Unit Details

Nizam-I Cedit Rifles are a Rifle unit available only to the Ottoman Empire and are a variant of the European Riflemen unit. Nizam-I Cedit Rifles have much of the same qualities as Light Infantry: both can use Light Infantry Behavior, both have all of its men fire simultaneously, both can deploy stakes etc. They also possess one large advantage over light Infantry: They have a significantly greater range. This makes the Nizam-I Cedit Rifles viable candidates for hit-and-run tactics without worrying about the enemy firing back. Their large range bonus, combined with their light infantry behavior,also mean that they are very suitable for (relatively) safely engaging enemy artillery. However as with most Light Infantry they are vulnerable to melee and so, should avoid melee situations. However they are only recruitable when the European Doctrine technology has been researched, which takes a while to complete. This means that the Nizam-I Cedit Rifles will only be available in the mid to late game.

Factions

• Ottoman Empire