Ottoman Leaders and Armies

[elxaime]

There is a discussion ongoing as to how to best model the Ottoman armies and leaders during the Napoleonic Wars in the forums dedicated to the new AGEOD release Wars of Napoleon.

http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.p ... -on-Ornano

I made the following suggestions for addressing the "blank" characteristics of the Ottoman leader statistics.

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Frontier warriors
The Ottomans, due to the heavy presence of feudal and irregular forces in their armies, were adept at raiding and small warfare. Some commanders should be given the Surpriser, Partisan, Irregular and Ambusher abilities. The guide should be to provide counters to the capabilities of their Austrian and Russian neighbors light forces (Croats and Cossacks) while ensuring invaders of Ottoman territories should be concerned about harassment of their lines of communication

Irregular Horsemen
While the Ottomans amassed huge numbers of cavalry, these were generally not disciplined or trained to operate effectively on the battlefield. So while they should not get the Cavalryman combat bonus attribute, it seems sensible to account for their masses of light cavalry by giving a few commanders the Screener, Patroller, Very Fast Raider and Very Fast Cavalryman abilities

Defenders of Fixed Points
The Ottomans did very poorly in open field battle. However they were more formidable defending entrenchments and especially defending sieges. Hence, some leaders should get the Defensive Engineer and Entrencher abilities. To reflect the Ottoman inclination to defend when they could, this can be accompanied by a Dispirited ability (they would avoid field battle and defend forts instead)

Poor Administration
The bane of Ottoman military field operations was their poor administration. To reflect this, Dispersed Movement, Over-Cautious and Slow Mover abilities can be added to some leaders

Ruthless
The Ottomans often relied on their reputation for ruthlessness, especially when confronting rebels. The Pillager, Hated occupier and Occupier abilities should be assigned to some leaders

Proud and Fearless
While the Ottomans may have lacked in organization and tactics, accounts suggest the individual warriors were brave. Ottomans commanders also held attitudes of pride and a religious conviction of superiority, sometimes giving battle against better judgment for political reasons or to save face. This had both an upside and downside. The Charismatic ability can be given to some leaders, but it can be accompanied by Quickly Angered, Reckless and Hothead

Taken together, a picture of Ottoman military approaches take shape that is distinct from their Western opponents. The Ottomans excel in small war and skirmishes and have large numbers of irregular troops. However the Ottomans do poorly in large set piece field battles. The Ottoman field armies instead favor fighting from entrenchments and are especially good at defending sieges.

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Given that the Ottomans are a major power in Empires in Arms, I am curious as to what people think? Feel free to comment in the AGEOD forums thread, as I am sure your expertise and views on Ottomans would be welcomed, especially if you think they have been modeled right in Empires in Arms.