Unleashing the Dogs of WarPart II: Army Combat in Middle Earth

Eomer, Captain of the Riddlermark, gazed across the field at the forces besieging Minas Tirith. The enemy host was immense, blackening the surrounding farmland like locusts. The dotted smoking ruins of burnt-out farmhouses were scattered among Sauron's legions, no doubt co-opted by several of the opposing commanders as bases of operations. His scouts had reported that the largest host were under the command of the dread Witch King himself, and two of Morgoth's worms were enlisted into the dread sorcerer's service. It looked hopeless.

"Yars!" A seasoned Rider materialized at his side.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Get the Riders into formation. We attack at once..."

This is part II of an article on armies in Middle Earth. Part I focused primarily on the mechanics of army movement. Part II focuses on the mechanics of army combat, and takes you step by step through determining whether you'll win a battle or take a population center. Part II, like Part I, uses Gothmog's army as an example:

Gothmog's army:

• Currently located at 3221, Dark Lieutenant City.
• Army has a 50 morale, and belongs to the Dark Lieutenants.
• Army Commander Gothmog - 80 (100) command, 40 agent
  Sub-commander I, Vikenor 33 (45) command, 80 agent, 20 mage
  Sub-commander II, Masraden 40 command, 20 agent, +500 combat artifact
• 1500 Heavy Cavalry (20 training, 20 weapon), 60 armor (steel)
• 1000 Heavy Infantry (10 training, 10 weapon), no armor
• 1000 Light Infantry (10 training, 10 weapon), no armor

Calculating Army Strengths:

1. Calculate the troop modifier
   (a percentage) for each type of troops. It is an average of training, weapon, and terrain (see the "troop terrain combat performance" chart. Good=100%, Average=80%, Poor=60%). Note that you can simplify calculations by "converting" troops to HI and HC, though it is less accurate because the various modifier percentages won't be identical. 2 LI or 5 MA=1 HI, 2 LC= 1 HC. I also usually assume troop tactic modifers to be 100% to simplify calculations.
   • Example J:
     Gothmog's Army at 3221: Gothmog has 1500 HC, 1000 HI, and 1000 LI. Doing things the fast way, this "converts" into 1500 HC and 1500 HI. HC modifier (20 weapon + 20 training + 100 tactic + 60 terrain) divided by 4= 50%.HI modifier (10 weapon + 10 training + 100 tactic + 60 terrain) divided by 4= 45%.

2. Calculate the army modifier.
   This is an average of natural command rank, morale, nation climate/ terrain, and nation climate/ terrain a second time (listed on your nation startup sheet). Example J continued: Assuming cool/ mountains: (80 command + 50 morale+ 92 dark lieutenant climate/ terrain + 92 dark lieutenant climate/ terrain) divided by 4= 78%. Note that Gothmog's natural command rank was used, not his command rank "enhanced" by his 20 pt. command artifact. Artifacts add to the chance of success in an order, but not the effects of an order! (If Gothmog were issuing a threat, then the command artifact would help.) Also note that the "actual" army modifier in this example is not an exact science, so you'll want to underestimate your strength slightly.

3. Calculate the basic troop strengths and muliply by the troop modifier, then add the numbers together for the total strength of all troops. Multiply the sum by the army modifier.
   Example J continued:
   • 1500 HC * 16 strength each * 50% = 12,000"
   • 1500 HI *10 strength each * 45% = 6,750
   • Sum of Troop strength: 18,750

   18,750 (sum troop strength from above) * 78% (army modifier) = 14,625 (army strength)

4. Multiply the "army strength" by the relations modifier (110% if disliked, 125% for someone you hate). Technically you'd also multiply by the tactics vs. tactics modifier, but I leave this step out (I assume 100%). Although the tactics vs. tactics modifier can make a big difference in a battle, such as if you charge into an ambush (very unpleasant) there's no good way to calculate this and you can avoid worrying about it if you're careful in picking your tactics. However, it's not such a hot idea to always do whatever tactic is "best" for your main troop type. I often assume my opponents will do just that... and they proceed to charge into my ambushes, attempt to flank my standard formations, etc.

   Note what a big difference hating your opponent can make in the final army strength versus merely disliking him.

   Example J continued:
   • 14,625 (army strength from above) * 125% (relations modifier, assuming "hated") = 18,281 final army strength.

5. Although the "final army strength" is the army's attack value, some things (spells, dragons, ents, war machines, etc.) add to the army attack value during the first round of combat only as a bonus. They do not affect the army's attack value for any other round of combat.
   Example J continued:
   • 18,281 final army strength, (but + 500 for combat artifact used by Masraden during the first round of combat only).

6. To calculate army constitution, multiply each troop type's base constitution by 100% + it's armor value, then add the totals together. This gives you the army's constitution. Technically you'd add any bonuses for defensive spells, but I don't bother for simplicity.
   Example J continued:
   • 1500 HC * 16 constitution each * (100% + 60% armor value) = 38,400
   • 1500 HI * 10 constitution each * (100% + 0% no armor!) = 15,000
   • Final army constitution: 53,400

7. Example J conclusion: Gothmog's army has a 18,281 attack strength (+500 for the first round of combat) and 53,400 constitution. This is an approximation... remember the various simplifications made, such as converting LI into HI for calculations, ignoring troop tactic modifiers, etc. It is easy enough to include these factors if you wish to take the time.Who'd win a battle? To determine who'd win a battle, calculate each army's attack strength and constitution. You'll have to make some educated guesses for the enemy. Next, subtract each army's attack strength from the enemy army's constitution. Determine what percentage of each army's constitution survived (90%, of the army survived, etc.) and reduce the attack strentgh of that army by to that percentage (if only 90% of your army survived the round, then reduce your attack strength to 90%. This gives you the army's attack strength for the next round... repeat until one army is destroyed.
   Example K: Gothmog's army (18,281 (+500) attack/53,400 constitution) is fighting an Eothraim army (12,000 attack/24,000 constitution).
   • Round 1: The Eothraim do 12,000 damage to Gothmog's army.53,400 -12,000 = 41,400 constitution at the end of round 1 for Gothmog's army. 77% of Gothmog's army (and each troop type) survived (41,400 ending constitution divided by 53,400 starting constitution). Thus, Gothmog's attack strength for round 2 is 14,076. (77% times 18,281). Gothmog's army, at start of round 2:14,978 attack strength/ 41,400 constitution1155 HC, 770 HI, 770 LI.Meanwhile, Gothmog's army did 18,281 (+500) attack to the Eothraim army. 24,000 -18,781= 5219 constitution at the end of round 1 for the Eothraim army. 21% of the Eothraim army survived (and each troop type). (5219 ending constitution divided by 24,000), so the new round 2 Eothraim attack strength is 2520.Eothraim army, at start of round 2:2520 attack strength/5219 constitutionGothmog's army is clearly going to annihilate the Eothraim force round 2 (the Eothraim have less than 14,978 constitution remaining). If you wish, you can get a rough approximation of what Gothmog's army will have left.

Population Center Assaults:

1. Army is destroyed. The army didn't have enough constitution to survive the population center's defensive "blow". All characters in the attacking army are killed and the population center is unharmed and under the control of its original owner. It doesn't matter if the army's attack strength was greater than the population center defense-- the army controller still doesn't take the population center. (This situation usually occurs when a small army with a dragon attacks a heavily fortified population center).
2. Army survives with at least one troop, but army's attack strength (for round1) was greater than the population center defense. Population center captured or destroyed, depending on which order you issued.
3. Army survives with at least one troop, but army's attack strength (for round 1) was less than the population center defense. Population center remains under the control of the defender, but your (heavily damaged) army survived.

Calculating Population Center Defense Strength:

Example L:
Suppose North Gondor has a City/ Citadel with a 100% loyalty. It's defensive strength is: (5000 (city) + 24,000 (citadel) * (100% base + 100% loyalty) = 59,000 defensive strength. Example L, modified: Suppose Gothmog's army attacked the City/ Citadel (assume it is in the mountains).
• City/Citadel defense: 59,000
• Gothmog's army: 18,281 (+500) attack/ 53,000 constitution.
The city/citadel is unharmed, and Gothmog's army is destroyed killing everyone in it (It had less than 59,000 constitution). The results are identical even if Gothmog had several dragons helping him, (18,281 (+45,000 for dragons/ 53,400) because Gothmog's army was destroyed. If Gothmog had 6000 more constitution plus the dragons, (18,281 (+45,000)/ 59,400) Gothmog's army would take the city because it survived and it' s attack strength was greater than the city/citadel's defense. Note that Gothmog's army would disband after the battle as it would have less than 100 troops surviving. (400 constitution survived, or less than 1% of the attacking army!) The attack value of dragons (good only for round 1) is a made-up number in this example.

Example L, modified:
Suppose Gothmog's army attacked the City/ Citadel, but had 50 war machines assisting him. Although the city would not fall, the city/citadel's defense strength would drop significantly. Additionally, the citadel would probably be reduced to a keep or a castle).
• City/Citadel defense: (5000 city + (24,000 citadel - (200 * 50 war machines)) * 200% = 38,000 defense strength.
Gothmog's army still doesn't have enough to take it (18,281 (+500)) without dragons.

Dealing with Dragons:

Example M:
Suppose Gothmog's army (with dragons) is involved in a battles with an Eothraim army of 100 men-at- arms and also an Eothraim city/keep at the same location. Gothmog issues an order to capture the population center. Gothmog's army will not take the city/keep!

Battle #1:

Army combat:
Gothmog's army: (18,281 (+45,000 for the dragons) (+500) attack/53,400 constitution)Eothraim army (33 army/ 220 defense).

Result:
Eothraim army annihilated, and Gothmog's army for all intents and purposes unharmed... but the dragon is "used up" for the rest of the turn.

Battle #2:

Population center assault on the same turn:
Gothmog's army: (18,281 (+500 combat artifact) attack/ 53,400 constitution.
Eothraim city/keep, 100 loyalty: (42,000 population center defense).

Result:
city/keep undamaged and remains under Eothraim control. Only 21% of Gothmog's army survives! Had the dragon not been used in the battle with the 100 men-at-arms, the city/keep would have fallen under dark lieutenant control as a major town/ keep, (though only 21% of Gothmog's army would survive).

Another trick to dealing with dragons is knowing where they will "go" once encountered... Dragons seem to go to the army who's commander has the highest total skill ranks.

Example N:
Suppose Gothmog, Vikenor, and Masraden each commanded an army. Meanwhile, another Dark Lieutenant character recruits a dragon. Where will the dragon go?
• Gothmog: 80 command + 40 agent = 120 total.
• Vikenor: 33 command + 80 agent + 20 mage = 133 total.
• Masraden: 40 command + 20 agent = 60 total.

Vikenor wins. The dragon will join Vikenor if recruited. (Note that no artifacts were included in the calculations!) The Dark Lieutenants should plan on using Vikenor's army with the dragon to his best advantage. Meanwhile, the Free should keep in mind that as long as Vikenor's ranks are higher than the other commanders, none of those other Dark Lieutenant armies will have dragons aiding them.

Applying the Mechanics of Army Movement and Combat:

Trying to decide if you can march out and take Goblin Gate? Crunch the numbers. If you come out short, ask for help from your allies, keep recruiting troops, build war machines, or arrange to sabotage the fortifications. Is there a Heavy Cavalry army in your area that you need to destroy and you're not sure your army is tough enough? Crunch the numbers. If you'll come out on the losing end of the battle, make sure an ally is there to help!

Similarly, the mechanics of army movement can be used to great effect. Need to protect two places at once, or pin down the enemy armies streaming into Rhovanion? Look at all the routes that they can take into your area, and bottle them up by moving your own armies to be "in the way". If you know how army movement works, you con maximize the likelihood you'll stop the enemy forces trying to get past you.. or to avoid them. It can also be used to keep your armies and your neutral ally's armies from tripping over each other (if you're careful), even though you're moving through the exact same hexes. The "home" direction is extremely useful in army maneuvering, but alas, I forgot to cover it in part I so you'll have to figure out that one for yourself!

The blooded Captain lay upon a cot in the House of Healing within Minas Tirith. The last, desperate charge had carried him nearly to the gates. He remembered striking repeatedly at orcs with his blade, trying to reach the gates. His mount screamed, struck with a spear, flailing with its hooves...

"Captain?"
The soft voice broke his reverie, and Eomer's eyes opened. A middle-aged man with piercing eyes stood over him.

"Lord Denethor!"
Eomer tried to rise, but the man reached down to prevent him.

"Rest, Captain."

"But the city..."

"It will hold. Your valor was not in vain. Your final charge broke up the assault they had prepared. Their remaining forces are insufficient to take the city. The City of the Guard still stands..."