Hello everyone,
I would like to propose a new civilization variant for Age of Empires IV: the Seljuk Turks, as a variant of the Ottomans.
Why the Seljuks?
The Seljuks were a major precursor to the Ottomans and played a crucial role in shaping medieval Anatolia and the Middle East. They would be a historically fitting addition and could offer a very different playstyle compared to the current Ottomans.
Core Concept: Mobile Empire & Cavalry Dominance
Unlike the Ottomans, the Seljuks would focus on:
Unique Mechanics
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Nomadic Influence
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Tribal Authority System
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Caravan Economy
Unique Units
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Seljuk Horse Archer
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Ghulam Cavalry
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Atabeg Commander
- Support unit that provides aura buffs to nearby cavalry
Strengths
Weaknesses
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Weaker late game compared to Ottomans
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Requires micro and active play
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Vulnerable to strong defensive playstyles
Gameplay Identity
While Ottomans focus on structured military production and late-game power, the Seljuks would represent a more dynamic, aggressive, and mobile playstyle.
I believe this variant would:
Thank you for reading! I would love to hear feedback from the community.
Best regards
3 Likes
Yes, they even appear in The Sultans Ascend campaign… they could be a mix between Ottomans but without gunpowder (i.e., no Janissaries, Great Bombards, and Grand Galleys) and Abbasids (Ghulam and Trade Caravan), and obviously changing the landmarks and vizier points to something more Seljuk…
The unique units would be:
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Sipahi: Horseman replacement. Activate the Fortitude ability to deal extra damage to ranged units but receive more damage from melee weapons.
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Mehter: Mounted war drummer that provides military enhancements to nearby units when toggling the War Drums ability.
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Attack Drums: Increased attack speed.
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Melee Defense Drums: Increased melee armor.
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Ranged Defense Drums: Increased ranged armor.
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Akinji (renamed as Turkic Horse Archer): Long-ranged cavalry which fires two arrows in quick succession. Must be unlocked through the Imperial Council.
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Ghulam: Man-at-Arms replacement. Heavy melee infantry that can attack twice in a quick succession, as well as having increased hit points and faster movement speed, in exchange for lower base melee attack and increased cost and training time.
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Trade Caravan: A camel variant of the Trader.
2 Likes
Nice Seljuks Civ concept man!
This should be on the game
1 Like
Hey MatM1996,
honestly, that’s a really cool idea. The Turks/Seljuk-style civ would fit perfectly into Age of Empires IV, especially for multiplayer.
I like the concept of making them kind of a hybrid between Ottomans (but without gunpowder units like Janissaries and Bombards) and Abbasids. That would already make them feel unique without overlapping too much.
Your unit ideas are actually pretty solid too:
- Sipahi as a Horseman replacement with a risk/reward ability vs ranged units sounds fun and micro-heavy
- Mehter with toggleable buffs is super thematic and adds tactical depth
- Turkic Horse Archer (Akinji) fits perfectly historically and gameplay-wise
- Ghulam as a stronger but more expensive Man-at-Arms alternative gives a nice elite infantry vibe
- Camel Trade Caravan is a nice touch to keep that regional identity
And yeah, giving them their own landmarks + a “Seljuk-style” council system instead of Vizier Points would make the civ feel complete, not just a reskin.
Would be awesome if they were a lower-tier (or early-focused) civ with strong mobility and buffs instead of late-game gunpowder power.
I’d 100% play that.
Yes, in addition, the first three units were used first by the Seljuks before the Ottomans (the Sipahi was introduced into the Ottoman Empire from the Sultanate of Rum in 1308, the Mehter was a gift from the Seljuks to Osman I in 1299, and the Turkish Horse Archer is the predecessor of the Akinji used by the Turks since the 7th century)…
1 Like
If the Seljuks (outside of the campaign) get added, it wouldn’t be a variant of the Ottomans because the Seljuks was a distinct empire from the Ottomans. Rather, it may serve as a hybrid of a full and variant civ. Also, about the proposed “Seljuk Horse Archer” unit, just make the unit that’s named “Horse Archer” become a shared unit instead of exclusive to the Rus because that unit needs to become available to other civs that historically used archers that rode on horses and with this unit becoming a shared unit, this would mean it could be given to the Seljuks.
1 Like
Yes, I’m not saying it would be more like the Ottomans, but a hybrid between Ottomans and Abbasids, yet more unique with its Seljuk landmarks, although it would still be an Abbasid variant, since that’s the empire that preceded it and which it legally served in principle… it could even be a mix: the villagers would speak Persian (these would be the new voices), the Seljuk army (Turkish reusing the voices of the Ottoman soldiers), and the monks Arabic (reusing the voices of the Dervish)…
1 Like
No it should be a hybrid between Ottomans and Mongols that more correct.
1 Like
I thought about that too…but geographically I considered the Abbasids more appropriate, since the Seljuks were initially Abbasid vassals…besides, given that the Golden Horde and the Jin Dynasty are both nomadic variants of Central Asia, it would be a bit redundant for the Seljuks to resemble them…the Seljuks should be more Middle Eastern, that way you’d have geographical and cultural continuity: Abbasids (8th to 13th centuries), Seljuks (12th-14th centuries), and Ottomans (14th-16th centuries)…
Seljuks was not a vassal they are independent and had good relationship with abbasids other than that they are not same.By the way %90 of Mongol army was made from Turks.So Seljuks are between Ottomans and Mongols(basicly Turkic nomads).
1 Like
Yes, that’s true…yes, in that case you’re right that it should be a hybrid between Ottomans and Mongols…
2 Likes
"I really hope that the developers of Age of Empires IV will eventually add a second Ottoman variant — ideally the Seljuks. Historically, it would fit very well, and from a gameplay perspective it could offer a unique mix of Turkish nomadic culture, early sultanate identity, and Mongol-influenced warfare.
Many players across different communities would be very happy about this, especially those who enjoy playing the Ottomans. The current civilization is already strong and popular, but a Seljuk variant would have huge potential for new strategies, units, architecture, and atmosphere.
I truly hope this idea gets noticed, shared, and maybe even considered by the developers in the future."
1 Like
