Ottoman

[SpecifiedUsername]

I think the best shot at the Ottomans is tradition with international trade routes all coming from the capital in at least first half of the game. They have hill bias which means plenty of defensive spots and production, which you can focus on constantly, while getting your food only through trade routes and also locking specialist ASAP, not caring about food. They are of course map dependent as Petra available in the capital is making them significantly stronger. Other than that, they have bonus production, bonus science and an archer unit, which are again all most useful for tradition.

 

[phantomaxl1207]

As the Ottomans I try and set up my early game to set up my empire ready to have a good army ready at Gunpowder. The UA gives enough Science to help get you there at a reasonable rate. Petra and Colossus are key Wonders to go for. I find Progress will set you up better than Tradition as your Cities will have more Production for Crossbows, Trebuchets, and Longswords to upgrade at Gunpowder.

Spoiler Just got Gunpowder in this old game :

 

[pineappledan]

In my last game as Ottomans I went authority and I kind of regretted it. Since the Ottomans focus on ranged and siege units, authority is a lot less necessary for conquest, because your army comp generally won’t benefit from the heal on kill, and your free units end up being left behind as garrisons. I still got lots of free room to settle, so imperium ended up being an easy, consistent yield bonus from settle, but I wished I had gone progress

 

[beginner_]

In my last game as Ottomans I went authority and I kind of regretted it. Since the Ottomans focus on ranged and siege units, authority is a lot less necessary for conquest, because your army comp generally won’t benefit from the heal on kill, and your free units end up being left behind as garrisons. I still got lots of free room to settle, so imperium ended up being an easy, consistent yield bonus from settle, but I wished I had gone progress

I actually went authority but I didn't really change my war game much. I still build melee units as somehow you need to protect your siege/ranged units. Melee units then act as garrisons and well canon fodder. Authority can give some nice bonuses but it almost forces you to stay at war as often as possible to get them. So it only really makes sense if you plan on conquest of the bat vs just some local expansion.

Admittedly I launched the discussion because I feared once again losing to culture victory on a Civ on a different continent. And I was a bit low on gold and sub 50% happiness so it took a while till my conquered cities came up to speed(twokay foods is just OP. solves all your happiness issues instantly). I was able to triple my culture in rather short amount of time delaying her (Carthage) culture victory enough that I will manage to conquer her.