What type of forces did Sauron had in the second age?

[Victariongreyjoy]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

From the unfinished Tales section The History of Galadriel and Celeborn, it looks to me like Sauron simply overwhelmed the Elves with superior numbers.

After all, when the Númenóreans showed up to aid the Elves, it seemingly wasn't all that difficult for them to reverse the tide. If some sort of sorcery had been a big factor in Sauron's early victories, I wouldn't think that should have been the case. And no dragons or Balrogs were around to help Sauron either, it appears.

If the ringwraiths or similar beings were made by Sauron to lead his armies, would he have any upper hands against Ar-Pharazon and the numenorean army? Or are the numenoreans not so easily scared like their kins in later generations of Gondor?