What would you have done?

[DarkRose]

First of all, I'd probably change that whole 'the ring can be destroyed if you chuck it into Mt. Doom' thing. I'd totally make it indestructable. Don't ask me how. But I would. :P

[dragoneyes]

I'd destroy the steps up to reach Cirith Ungol. I mean, if someone still manages to climp up there they're going to be so knackered they'd be easy meat for Shelob.

[Amrod the Hunter]

Destroy every place in Mordor where there aren't any Orcs (except Shelob's lair) and get better guards around MT. Doom.I mean,he knew that that mountain is his greatest weakness and he didn't have any guard there.I also would think of some better tactic to destroy Minas Tirith because his tactic was like cheese-it had too many holes.He trusted too much to Saruman,he forgoth about Aragorn and that is why he lost at Pellenor.

[The Saucepan Man]

Welcome to the Downs Amrod the Hunter.

I must, however, take issue with you on this:

... he forgoth about Aragorn and that is why he lost at Pellenor.

Sauron was only too aware of Aragorn. Aragorn made sure of that when he used the Palantir of Orthanc. It was this that prompted Sauron to make a move on Minas Tirith earlier than he might otherwise have done. What he didn't bargain for was the Rohirrim being free to ride to Gondor's aid and Aragorn's nifty use of the Oathbreakers to take the Corsairs out of the equation and turn up at the Pelennor unannounced.

Indeed, it was Sauron's preoccupation with the Isildur's heir, encouraged by the "diversion" (as film Legolas so helpfully puts it ) at the Black Gate, that caused him to make the mistake of taking his "eye" off Mordor, thus allowing a certain two Hobbits to slip into Mordor that much more easily.

[Gothbogg the Ripper]

True, this great fear that someday men would rise against him under a strong leader eventually led to his downfall. It's actually quite fascinating, it borders on sociology. "Self-fulfiling prophecy". He believed that Isildur's heir would one day destroy him and through his attempted prevention made the likelihood of that outcome even greater.

[ninja91]

After completely fortifying Mount Doom and the surrounding areas, I would have not wasted a moment in destroying Gondor with the Morgul-host. I would have immediately assaulted the White City, while the Corsairs attacked Pelargir and possibly Dol Amroth, and after taking Minas Tirith join with Saruman's forces and unleash hell upon Rohan. Another host out of Mordor I would send towards Moria with the Easterlings to burn Lorien to the ground and move north from there, converging with Saruman and the Morgul Host on Arnor and Eriador. I would have sent the Mouth of Sauron to lead my Udun-host north to gather the Moria goblins and Easterlings. The Haradrim would not be far behind either hosts.

Heh heh heh. I like having huge armies...

[FeRaL sHaDoW]

if i was sauron i would of at least sealed up the door way to mount doom....

or

dug a big deep moat.....

or

built a big fence around the top of mount doom

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Amrod the Hunter

Destroy every place in Mordor where there aren't any Orcs (except Shelob's lair) and get better guards around MT. Doom.I mean,he knew that that mountain is his greatest weakness and he didn't have any guard there.I also would think of some better tactic to destroy Minas Tirith because his tactic was like cheese-it had too many holes.He trusted too much to Saruman,he forgoth about Aragorn and that is why he lost at Pellenor.

I don't think Sauron saw the mountain as his greatest weakness (If it even was) because as was stated in the book, he couldn't conceive of someone trying to destroy the ring.
But to get back on topic, I think if he had not allowed himself to be baited into attacking Minas Tirith when he did, if he could have waited and consolidated more of his forces and allowed his Nazgul to act as his airborne survellance for a bit longer, he might... well, he STILL would have lost because Frodo was slipping in through the back door.

The only way he could have won would have been to admit that someone might just decide to destroy the ring and not use it to contest his own power.
Then he might have bumped up his defenses a bit more.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by DarkRose

First of all, I'd probably change that whole 'the ring can be destroyed if you chuck it into Mt. Doom' thing. I'd totally make it indestructable. Don't ask me how. But I would. :P

OK... this is good. Make it so that it never becomes a possible problem.
But, it still is something that can be stolen. I mean, that's the problem with rings of power... they're always being inconveniently hacked off of one's finger.
Does it need to be a ring? Perhaps make it something that wouldn't be out there, waving at the end of a arm, just inviting trouble.
Perhaps Sauron could have forged it into a tongue stud (Eww...), that way, they'd have to take off his entire head and then he'd be dead anyways and the ring...er... stud wouldn't be of any more use to him.
Or... make it into a bellybutton ring (Eww! Eww! Eww! Ewww! Ewwww!!!). Be the Lord of All Evil and a fashion trendsetter at the same time.

[Selmo]

If I were Sauron, I would have reviewed my past record of achievement, quietly retired, taken up knitting instead of world domination and lived a long and happy life.
.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Selmo

If I were Sauron, I would have reviewed my past record of achievement, quietly retired, taken up knitting instead of world domination and lived a long and happy life.
.

A retired Sauron... interesting concept.
Sauron clipping coupons and going to the early-bird dinner.
Yelling at the neighbor kids to stay off his lawn and when they didn't, torturing them.

I can see it.