Sekban Janissaries (ETW Unit)
| Sekban Janissaries (ETW Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Melee Infantry |
| Unit Size | 160 Men |
| Weaponry | Swords |
| Morale | |
| Melee Attack | |
| Ranged Attack | |
| Defence | |
| Charge Bonus | |
| Accuracy | |
| Range | |
| Ammunition | |
| Region | Global |
| Recruitment Cost | 440 |
| Upkeep Cost | 170 |
| Turns to Build | |
| Unit Limit | |
| Building Requirements | Barracks |
| Technology Requirements | None |
| Attributes | |
The janissaries are professional soldiers, hardened by arduous training and given the best equipment in the army.
Overview
As a force, they are the cream of the Ottoman army but, in comparison to some other nations, they fight in a slightly old fashioned way. This is small comfort to those who stand against them, as the janissaries are personally brave to the point of foolhardiness. They are also given to festooning themselves with weapons and hurling themselves into any fray!
Historically, the corps of janissaries (the term means “new soldiers”) dates back to the 14th Century. They were intended to replace the unreliable ghazi tribal warriors with a force indoctrinated to be completely loyal to the Sultan. This was achieved by taking boys as young as five for training and conversion to Islam if required. The janissaries had their own corps of engineers, supply troops and were even paid regularly, whether they were at war or not! Over time, however, they came to be used as bureaucrats and administrators, and this gave them too much power over the Ottoman Empire. Eventually, the janissaries’ entrenched position in government became arrogance and an entrenched position against change, and so helped the Ottomans to stagnate and decline.
Details
Sekban Janissaries are cancelled melee unit available only to the Ottoman Empire. At the start of the game the Sekban Janissaries are capable of defeating most varieties of Line Infantry until the other European Factions research bayonets, in which case they will prove to be more of a challenge. Even so the Sekban Janissaries will still prove to be a good unit until more efficient firing drills have been researched by the Europeans. This will cause the Sekban Janissaries to be gunned down to a less effective number before they can even engage in melee.
