Sauron and Istari

[Sarumian]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

I believe that there might be a combination of two main reasons for Sauron's operating through agents in the Third Age. The first was that, as you've stated, it was unnecessary most of the time

Once again, I agree with most of what you say. However, Sauron must have deeply regretted that he was not there that night at Weathertop when five of his most terrible servants missed their chance failing to defeat one strider and four hobbits...