Kapikulu Corps
Kapikulu Corps is an Industrial Age Ottoman Mosque technology that provides five Sipahis and increases Sipahi hand resistance by 10%. It costs 2,500 Food and takes 15 seconds to research. The option combines an immediate unit delivery with a defensive improvement for the Sipahi line, so it supports both reinforcement and future production. The high Food cost requires an economy prepared for a late-game army commitment.
Research profile
Effect & research conditions
Research it at the Mosque and leave population room for the five delivered Sipahis. Their hand resistance bonus helps against hand attacks, but does not make them invulnerable to ranged fire or other counters. Bring the group to the army and use it according to the Sipahi’s cavalry role; the technology does not remove the need to scout for anti-cavalry units.
Research condition
Ottomans; Industrial Age; requires the Palace Intrigue Home City Card to have been sent since update 13.58326; researched at the Mosque; current cost 2,500 Food; 15-second research time; delivers five Sipahis and grants +10% hand resistance to Sipahis.
When to research
Choose Kapikulu Corps when the Ottoman plan can use five additional Sipahis and the upgrade will affect continued production. Its 2,500 Food cost is large, so compare the package with other army options and the need to advance or maintain Villager production. Start it before a planned engagement so the units can arrive in time.
Palace Intrigue is a prerequisite
Kapikulu Corps is not an ordinary Mosque option that appears from the Industrial Age alone. Since update 13.58326, the Ottomans must first send the Palace Intrigue Home City Card. Once unlocked, the technology takes 15 seconds to research and delivers its Sipahis at the Home City arrival point, so leave population space and choose a safe rally location before completing it.
Cost and delivered group changed over time
The original Knights of the Mediterranean profile cost 1,400 Food and delivered four Sipahis. Update 14.3853 changed it to 2,200 Food and five units; update 14.43676 raised the cost to 2,500 Food. The current effect is five Sipahis plus 10% hand resistance for Sipahis. The delivered unit is presented as a Kapikulu Sipahi, while the technology’s resistance bonus no longer applies to all Heavy Cavalry after build 15.59076.
A late-game package for a continuing Sipahi force
The high Food cost buys both a one-time group and a lasting defensive bonus for Sipahis. It is most useful when the Ottoman army can field the delivered cavalry immediately and expects to keep producing or using Sipahis afterward. The hand-resistance benefit helps against hand attacks but does not protect them from ranged damage or remove their normal counters. Compare the technology with other Industrial Age demands before committing 2,500 Food.