Academy of the Arts/The Art of War/Monster Defense

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Monster Defense

Within this article I will seek to outline some basic strategy in countering the threat that rogue monsters can pose to a region. I will first briefly outline where one can expect a horde of monsters to originate and the local threat they pose. Secondly, a short discussion on the various military units and their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, I will outline some strategies for efficiently removing monster hordes and minimizing casualties while doing so. These remarks are based on my own observations of encounters with armies of various troop composition.

The Origin of Hordes and the Threats They Pose

Individual monsters can be found throughout the countryside and are generally easily dispatched by a lone hunter or small band of adventurers. However, in regions that are not regularly patrolled the monsters begin to form into groups around the leadership of a stronger alpha and left unchecked can become unruly.

A large horde will begin to threaten travelers, farmland and food stores. If left to their own devices they will begin to devastate the local population and could cause starvation and desertion in the most extreme cases. Care should be taken to quickly dispatch any groups of monsters as quickly as possible in order to allow the local population to return to their fields as soon as possible.

The Merits of Individual Military Units

Archers

Archers can be the most effective soldiers for fighting monsters. They have the advantage of range that can be vital for taking down the vastly stronger monsters. The more archers your army has the safer your men will be. However, with little armor, your archers will be decimated when confronted with hand to claw combat.

Infantry

Infantry are generally ill-equipped to handled a horde on their own. Only in large number can infantry hope to be the match for even a small horde. In all cases, a box formation is prudent for providing the best defensive position, but direct combat should be avoided whenever possible.

Elite Soldiers: Cavalry and Special Forces

Cavalry and special forces, due to their increased training and weapon strength, can be an equal match to monsters. However, it is best to provide archer and infantry support as assurance that your elite unit will survive the battle in one piece. Cavalry wedge is a good shock formation, whereas special forces should take up a defensive box formation or whatever allows them to make best use of their equipment.

Battle Strategies for Minimal Casualties

Monsters generally do not show fear in the face of a battle with an army of superior numbers. They are aggressive and do not retreat unless they experience a significant loss of life. Since the average man is no match for a monster on the open field, it is therefore necessary to limit the exposure of any individual to the beasts in order to minimize casualties.

The best way to limit exposure is to begin with concentrated volleys of archer fire as every monster that falls to an arrow is one less that the weaker infantry will have to wrestle with. Similarly, since the lances of the cavalry provide a superior reach they can be an effective first wave. Only once the enemy gets closer to the archers and the lances have been broken should infantry be employed to clean up any remaining monsters. But care should be taken to time this properly so that your cavalry is not overwhelmed before the infantry arrives. Special forces can augment or replace cavalry with the added benefit of requiring less infantry support.

Alternatively, monsters can be dispatched with a large contingent of archers alone. In this situation, the commander should be careful that all archers have equal opportunity to fire as many volleys as possible by setting them in the same row. The proper ratio of archers to monsters as also important and it will take several arrows to pierce the hides of the beasts. Proper scouting is essential. In general a ratio of five archers to each monster should be provide a sufficient wall of arrows to spot a monster assault. This method may require an extended time in the field as it is likely some monsters will survive the first or even second day of fighting.