Mt. Gundabad | Dol Guldur Orc Sub HQ

The Shathuru are also well protected, at the very peak of the mountain.
But I'm sorry, I got my numbers mixed up. I just re-checked them (trying to remember how many snipers I started with), and I actually have 100 Shathuru, plus 500 snipers. Plus, with many of those snipers firing on you archers, their numbers would dwindle significantly. Given that your archers are worth .8, their accuracy and chances of hitting a mere head that occasionally pops up would be fairly slim. Their survival rate is also going to be quite grim, given that I've got 500 snipers worth 2.667 (say 400, with 100 keeping the artillery clear of operators). Plus the Shathuru being worth about 6 MWE.

But anyways, let's try to figure out some real numbers for casualties. So, you had first shot while my troops set up. At this point, you wouldn't know which troops were which, so we'll divide my casualties proportionally between the snipers and Shathuru. This is a free shot for you, however, your weapons would still need to get their bearings in regards to distance, so accuracy wouldn't be the best. Let's say that 1/2 of your onagers hit and destroy, 7 of your ballista, and 3 or so scorpions (my troops wouldn't be showing themselves much, but you could see them moving stuff around). Plus, if you have 500 archers firing, giving them about 65 successful hits (due to low skill and not all hits being lethal, but also a more effective trajectory and more volleys), that'd give me about 90 casualties (85 Shathuru left, 425 snipers). My first volley would also be relatively poor in accuracy (compared to normal). Let's say 35 incendiaries landed, and 75 operators destroyed. If we say it takes seven bolts to destroy one onager, since there are still a lot of people to put out fires (though all of the burning ones' crews are destroyed), then that'd leave you with 25 onagers left, and 10 without operators. We'll say that 5 ballistae (4 people each) and 5 scorpions (one person each) were abandoned to provide crews for 5 of the onagers (5 each). That puts you at 20 onagers, 15 ballistae, and 15 scorpions. Let's also say that some of your archers (50) switch over to operating unmanned siege weapons.
Second round of yours we'll say that 15 of the onagers hit and destroyed, 10 ballistae, and 5 scorpions (all archer-manned ones miss, because they're still figuring out how stuff works). Archers will be be closer to 95. This move, however, you said was targeted at the snipers, so that'd leave me 85 Shathuru and 300 snipers. My turn would result in about 60 incendiaries landed, and 150 operators downed. If we say 5 bolts per weapon (as there's less proper crew), that's 12 more onagers gone, with 13 remaining. Also, all of their operators are gone, along with all but two of the ballistae (though two more scorpions could be manned). If we mix up the operators, you could get 3 onagers manned properly, plus the 2 ballistae, and 2 scorpions (the other weapons manned by 167 archers (5 of each with one shot under their belts, and 10 onagers, 13 ballistae, and 15 scorpions brand-new)). You have 333 regular archers left.
Your turn again. All of your properly-manned weapons hit, plus 8 of the others (3 onagers, 2 ballistae, 3 scorpions), giving 15 casualties to the snipers. Your archers you had switch over to firing at the Shathuru, who were generally higher in the mountain in better locations (so they'd be more difficult to hit), so we'll say 50 casualties (again, more difficult to hit, plus new target with fewer archers). That leaves me with 35 Shathuru and 285 snipers. My turn, all Shathuru would hit, and we'll burn down 8 onagers to keep the numbers even. 200 snipers also hit, destroying the last of your operators and 175 archers. If your archers again man any empty weapons, you're left with 5 onagers, and your 20 ballistae and scorpions (all brand-new crews, 125 archers). There're 200 archers left.
And now your last move and this move of mine. Let's assume that your archers take out the last of the Shathuru, and the artillery gets 10 snipers (again, these crews have no experience). On my move, if 50 snipers relocate, and 200 hundred hit, that'd leave you with all weapons crewed and no archers left, or 125 archers.

Thoughts?




*While keeping the surviving siege weapons clear of operators, as before, the snipers pick off your archers by the dozens, if not hundreds. Many relocate (staying hidden, behind the mountain) to some of the Shathuru's old positions, picking up their old weapons (those that survive) and especially their incendiaries.*
*Your artillery bombardment is rather lackluster, as your crews are inexperienced and being constantly picked off.*

*My artillery continues their bombardment.*