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?

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Victariongreyjoy

I've always wondered how Sauron during the S.A managed to destroy the Noldor kingdom by mortal forces. I mean we know how strong the elves were, even more so by high elves. Did Sauron himself contributed his magic to help his forces destroy the elven kingdom or was his forces so massive the elves didn't stand a chance? Or did he had any supernatural forces?

I don't think Eregion ever had much in the way of population, so I don't think it would be too hard for Sauron to militarily overwhelm it.

Originally Posted by Victariongreyjoy

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?

Had there been enough time for the Ringwraiths to assume their final form?

[Victariongreyjoy]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

I don't think Eregion ever had much in the way of population, so I don't think it would be too hard for Sauron to militarily overwhelm it.



Had there been enough time for the Ringwraiths to assume their final form?

Let's say for fantasy sake they assume the form they were in Lord of the rings. Could they drive Ar-Pharazon's army back?

[William Cloud Hicklin]

"Drive back?" This isn't the Jacksonverse. The power of the Nazgul is *fear*. Now, anyone who's studied military history, or wargamed, understands how potent a force multiplier that can be: morale is absolutely crucial, and having nine airborne AOE weapons with a -100 Morale attack could be devastating. Tolkien towards the end of Book V describes the effect they have on many of Aragorn's soldiers, even flying high and out of sight.

But then again, as Gandalf told Frodo, "they have no great power against the fearless." Aragorn and Glorfindel weren't deterred, and behind their leadership even the three young hobbits were willing to charge at them. I don't think that Numenoreans at the height of their power would be affected especially badly. (Also: the flying beasts of the War of the Ring were apparently brand-new; anciently the Nine were stuck with horses.)

[Victariongreyjoy]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

"Drive back?" This isn't the Jacksonverse. The power of the Nazgul is *fear*. Now, anyone who's studied military history, or wargamed, understands how potent a force multiplier that can be: morale is absolutely crucial, and having nine airborne AOE weapons with a -100 Morale attack could be devastating. Tolkien towards the end of Book V describes the effect they have on many of Aragorn's soldiers, even flying high and out of sight.

But then again, as Gandalf told Frodo, "they have no great power against the fearless." Aragorn and Glorfindel weren't deterred, and behind their leadership even the three young hobbits were willing to charge at them. I don't think that Numenoreans at the height of their power would be affected especially badly. (Also: the flying beasts of the War of the Ring were apparently brand-new; anciently the Nine were stuck with horses.)

So it's more likely Ar-Pharazon and his army would stand their ground and try to kill the nazgul? Or would sight of his massive army scare the wraiths away instead?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Victariongreyjoy

So it's more likely Ar-Pharazon and his army would stand their ground and try to kill the nazgul? Or would sight of his massive army scare the wraiths away instead?

Yes, Ar-Pharazon's army was the greatest "mortal" army ever assembled, and basically caused Sauron's army to flee in terror. Consider the audacity, even as deluded as Ar-Pharazon eventually became, to invade Valinor. Upon seeing the "Great Armament", the Valar themselves invoked Eru's aid to stop the siege outside the walls of Tirion.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Remember that the Witch-King and the entire army of Angmar were routed by "a small sending-force" of Gondor under Earnur, and that was 2000 years after Ar-Pharazon's day.