Recreating the Ottoman Empire

[Samurai Doc]

OK, so I have this kind of Ottoman Empire obsession. This was one of the grandest empires of all time (not to mention the most ruthless) I just finished the book titled "The Religion" all about the famous Turkish invasion of Malta. Ever since, I've been trying to recreate the Ottoman Empire in Medieval II (Stainless Steel).

The problem is the economy. Frankly, it sucks in the beginning. The towns are spaced out and the units are expensive to maintain. Does anyone have any strategies on how best to get this empire kicked off in the beginning? But before I get your input, allow me to explain what I have tried in the past.

One of my first nearly successful attempts (about 50 years in) took place mostly on the Western front. I battered the Byzantines and had them retreating out of Anatolia. Constantinople was the gem I was never able to claim as it was pretty much impregnable. Perhaps I could have taken it, but my economy flat lined and could no longer maintain the military anymore. Once I dropped into the red, I gave up.

Another attempt began with the capturing of some nearby rebel settlements. I took Adana, Treibzond, and stole Nicosia from the Byzantines. I toned down my involvement against the Byzantines and mainly fought a war of attrition with them by harassing their armies. But the thing that gave me the biggest problem was the Templar/Egyptian alliance that left the Holy Land in a constant blood bath. The war took its toll and I once again fell into bankruptcy.

My most recent attempt started off a lot differently. I mustered some Horse archers and Turkish archers, marched right down into the Knight's Templar capital and completely eliminated the faction within the first 6 turns or so. The problem is, once again, I fell into bankruptcy because I was too busy fighting the Knights and not really making any money through conquest.

Keep in mind that I'm playing H/VH. My goal is to recreate the Ottoman Empire, make Constantinople the capital, and spread into southeastern Europe just as the historical nation did.

So has anyone been successful in making it into the Gunpowder Age with a strong Turkish nation? Any pictures? It is probably my favorite nation to play as.

So any tips would be much appreciated.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Garrison all your cities with militia and nothing past the free upkeep units. Disband any military units you don't need if you start loosing money. Focus on taking out on faction at a time (prob Templars then Byzantines then Egypt). You can do it I still wanna remake the Roman Empire as the Byzantines one day but I always seem to quit after making it to Italy and eastern Spain.

[Pivra]

Same with me,after I take Italy then I get really bored and my ADD starts to show

[Hookah Smoking Caterpiller]

ive never completed a full campaign... i just do what you're doing, try to recreate a historical nation (i.e. control all of Scandinavia as Denmark etc)

[Lord Firkraag]

Trying to recreate the Byzantine Empire at its height, looks to me like 45 regions is attainable. I am 2 short; that way I can remain vaguely historical and finish the campaign

It's easier to remain within these boundaries by taking cities that have small regions, so they count towards the 45 but don't take your borders too far.

[Samurai Doc]

Ok, well I'm starting off well. I've allied myself with the Templars, Egyptians, Venetians, Byzantines, and Sicilians. I need to still ally with Hungary so we can double team the Byzantines later.

So far, I've captured Adana, Treibzond, Sinop, and I am currently waiting for Baghdad to fold. Once Baghdad is mine, I can disband most of that mercenary army and free up my economy. My plan is to avoid the Middle Eastern states because I don't need any crusading armies coming down on me.

[Drag529]

My advice would be to get trade and alliances with as many factions as possible, except for the one you’re going to war with…..than build up you trade routs (ie, ports, roads, markets, and what ever else increases ur trade..) than build up a armies good enough for defences (some militia bow men, militia spear men and some militia horseman)…also try to get settlements around the Mediterranean sea, too control the trade throw sea as I find that the easiest way ….and from their you just go with the flow….