Bosniaks are a type of lancer cavalry in Empire: Total War. They are available to Prussia with the Elite Units of the West DLC.
Description[]
Bosniaks are lancers, used to skirmish and for chasing down routing enemies.
These light-fingered cavalrymen are irregular forces, deployed where courage and speed are required, and mounted on the best horses. Their disciplinary shortcomings can be overlooked as long as they fight as if captained by the Devil himself! Looting is second nature to these men, and is (possibly rightly) considered a second source of pay. The other, unsavoury activities associated with pillage are equally considered a right, not a perquisite. This reputation for lawlessness often counts against them.
Although they have their origins in the Balkans, as the name suggests, “Bosniak” lancers can include men from many nations. Historically, the prototype for this unit was raised by an Albanian, Stephen Serkis, who recruited a force of lancers originally intended for Saxon service. He then offered his men to Frederick the Great (1740-86) of Prussia. Even though Frederick thoroughly disapproved of irregular troops in Prussian service, he took them into his army, and later recruited Poles, Lithuanians and Tatars to replenish the ranks. The regiment was eventually amalgamated into various other light cavalry forces by the beginning of the 19th Century.
General Information[]
Possessing excellent charging capabilities and passable melee characteristics, Bosniaks represent the finest lance cavalry available to Prussia (far superior to their only other lance option, Uhlans). As with other lance cavalry, Bosniaks possess a nearly unequaled charge bonus (tied with Elephant Musketeers and losing only to Austrian Uhlans), allowing it to cause high rates of casualties initially. Unfortunately, it also possesses the limitations of lancer cavalry, and once bogged down it can suffer high casualties. Only one regiment may be recruited, so their use in the Grand Campaign is limited. However, more may be gained if revolutions occur and the rebellious armies have Bosniaks under their control.