Vicious and dangerous, these irregular troops are a cheap way of bringing death to enemies.

More than happy to run headlong into an enemy force with nothing but a sword and bared teeth, the Bashi Bazouks are berserk madmen. When engaged in close combat, they are second to none. Their upkeep and recruitment costs are minimal, making them an ideal unit for those with tight purse strings. However, due to their lack of discipline and firearms they are vulnerable to both cavalry and missile-armed troops.

Historically, the original Turkish form of “Bashi Bazouk” literally meant “damaged head” or “leaderless”. These men were raised from all over the Ottoman Empire, although they originally came from tribes based in Afghanistan. They were never given uniforms, but did receive their weapons from the Ottoman government. Plunder was their only real payment, and this was considered legitimate by the government. Their lawless ways made them difficult to control and they often had to be forcibly disarmed after taking part in battles. This unpredictable nature gave them a fearsome reputation and other nationalities generally feared them as brutal and savage warriors.