For similar factions in other games, see Turkey.
The Turks are a faction in Medieval II: Total War, unlockable after completing the campaign as one of the starting factions.
Description[]
The Turks may very much be relative newcomers to both Anatolia and the Holy Lands, but the impact that they have had upon these realms since they migrated from the steppes east of the Caspian has been profound enough to shake the pillars of the oldest and mightiest neighboring dynasties. Having seized control of the Abbasid Caliphate from the Buyids, and utterly crushed the Byzantines at Manzikert, the Turks have restored unity to the eastern Islamic region, making them arguably the greatest power Arabia or Persia has seen for centuries.
Settling down has been the Turks' secret to asserting their dominion. Traditionally a nomadic people, they have at last adopted a system of centralized rule to form the Seljuk Empire. Considering they have relied upon their natural skill at mounted combat and guerrilla warfare for centuries, the Turks have already shown incredible talent at governing a vast empire from a single throne.
In the foreseeable future, arrogance and complacency are likely to be the biggest threats to the mighty Seljuk Empire. To expect Byzantium to underestimate Turkish forces after the slaughter of Manzikert would be folly, and it can be taken as given that they will attempt to regain control of Anatolia. It would also be foolish to believe that the Fatimid dynasty in Egypt will be content to simply overlook the fertile banks of the Nile - They are just as well placed to seize control of all of the Holy Lands.
So long as the Turks manage to combine their new system of centralized government with their innate abilities as mounted warriors, then their position in this corner of the world looks most secure. After all, how likely is it that an even more fierce and formidable race of nomadic warriors sweep down from the steppes?
Strengths[]
Outstanding mounted archers and Janissary troops.
Weaknesses[]
Lacking in heavy armour and early period infantry.
Overview[]
- Religion - Islam
- Long Campaign win conditions - Hold 45 regions, including: Constantinople Region, Jerusalem Region
- Short Campaign win conditions - Hold 20 regions. Eliminate Factions: The Byzantine Empire
- Financial Start - Starting Purse 8,000 Florins
- Kings Purse - 2,000 Florins
Settlements
- Iconium (Large Town, Capital) - Town Guard, Town Hall, Grain Exchange, Dirt Roads
- Yerevan (Town) - Town Watch
- Mosul (Wooden Castle) - Stables
- Caesarea (Castle) - Bowyer
Initial units
- 4 General Bodyguard's
- 7 Spear Militia
- 4 Turkish Archers
- 1 Peasant Archers
- 2 Turkomans
Ruling Family
- Sultan Jalal (Age 40; Faction Leader) - Command 5, Dread/Chivalry 0, Authority 2, Piety 4
- Crown Prince Mustafa (Age 20; Faction Heir) - Command 3, Dread/Chivalry 0, Loyalty 5, Piety 5
- Tutush ad-Dawlah (Age 12; Junior Family Member; Male)
- Nefise ad-Dawlah (Age 11; Junior Family Member; Female)
Initial Agents
- Sundak al Hasan (Age 20; Spy) - 4 Subterfuge
- Kilij Murat (Age 20; Diplomat) - 4 influence
- Baraka (Age 30; Iman) - 4 piety
Trivia[]
- The symbol of the Turks is a combination of the yellow crescent color and green background of the 1517 Ottoman flag with the crescent and star of the 1844 Ottoman flag.
- The Turkish generals do not deliver pre-battle speeches for some reason.
| Medieval II: Total War Factions | |
|---|---|
| Starting Grand Campaign Factions | England • France • The Holy Roman Empire • Spain • Venice |
| Unlock-able Grand Campaign Factions | Sicily • Milan • Scotland • The Byzantine Empire • Russia • Moors • The Turks • Egypt • Denmark • Portugal • Poland • Hungary |
| Unplayable Grand Campaign Factions | The Papal States • The Aztecs • The Mongols • Timurids • Rebels |
| Tutorial Campaign | Normans • The Papal States • Saxons • Scotland • Rebels |