For other uses of the term, see Mamelukes.
Mamelukes are a type of light cavalry in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
Mamelukes are fearless light horsemen, deadly when deployed against a broken or unsupported enemy.
Mounted on seemingly tireless light horses and armed with scimitars, they are commonly employed to harass an enemy force, restricting its space to manoeuvre easily. Once battle is fully joined, they will often time their charges to coincide with those of a supporting infantry unit, seeking to break the enemy quickly then wreak havoc amongst them as they flee. Their only real weakness is when facing well-trained European infantry capable of forming square.
Mamelukes were traditionally slave-soldiers of the various caliphs and sultans of the Middle Ages, captured as children and raised in the Islamic faith to provide their master with a force of men unconnected to any part of the social hierarchy. Over time, the Mamelukes accrued power of their own and even went as far as seizing control of Egypt, founding a Mameluke Sultanate in 1250. Though the Mamelukes’ strength enabled the Sultanate to repel several invasions by Christian crusaders and Mongols, they were eventually overpowered by the Ottoman Empire in 1517 and entered into the service of the Sublime Porte.
General Information[]
Mamelukes are light cavalry normally available exclusively to their identically-named faction, Mamelukes. They are the only non-general cavalry available to the Mamelukes, and are generally excellent light cavalry: they are superior to Deli Horsemen, the only other light cavalry in the Egyptian Campaign that is resistant to heat fatigue. Mamelukes' resistance to heat fatigue give them a stamina advantage over their French enemies and also makes them immune to the effects of heat attrition. However, they are easily countered by artillery or musket fire, and are helpless against line infantry in square formation.
Mamelukes feature heavily in the Battle of the Pyramids, where they charge the French army in large numbers in an attempt to defeat them. The French command two regiments of highly experienced Mamelukes at the Battle of Austerlitz. While they cannot take advantage of their resistance to heat fatigue (Austerlitz is a snowy map), the two regiments of Mamelukes are the only light cavalry in the French army at Austerlitz.