Tes4Mod:Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul/The Art of War Magic II

Master Arctus said:

1. Flexibility is a key to victory. If you cannot make sudden changes, your best laid plans may fail entirely. Be confident that the enemy conversely plans against you, as you plan against him. Their plans will conflict with your plans, and plans that cannot be changed are plans that will not bear fruit.

Thulidden dir'Tharkun: An example here is a very simple one. Say that a group of thieves decides to break into a manor. They plan that one of them will go inside, while the two others will stay and watch from the outside. If the one on the inside awaits an arranged signal to come out with the loot when it is clear, what will he do if no signal ever comes?

Marandro Sul: What if the Battlemage came prepared to fight only Dunmer with frost magic? While it may prove highly effective amongst the intended targets, what happens if a Nord joins the fight?

2. A snake without a head may still bite by growing another. However, be cautious against this new head for while it may be weaker, its venom may be all the more toxic.

Marandro Sul: Master Arctus speaks of the removal of an army’s leader. Even with the leader separated from his forces, a new leader may prove to be stronger and more effective. Even with this stronger venom, the new leader is likely to be less effective, as the lack of the original leader may bring dissention and fear amongst the common soldiers.

3. You do not need to destroy your enemies. Simply break their will to fight.

Estirdar the Scholar: There is no need to break the body of an enemy who can be forced to yield. Certain creatures will never yield, but other Battlemages will. If you spare their life they may spare yours one day. They will have something to teach you, and you have something to teach them about mercy.

4. Knowledge is vital. Know your enemy and your battlefield. The greatest Battlemages also know themselves. They know their strengths and their weaknesses, and this allows them to properly adapt to their opponent. A Battlemage that does not know their own capabilities is no more dangerous than a thorn bush; they can cause pain but will not cause any significant damage.

Audeiu Quaspus: During the invasion of Akavir, Cocius Roscius, one of Uriel V’s generals exemplified knowing his enemies. He had his primary Battlemage, Raxleon Facici created telepathic links in between several of his minor Battlemages, and the ground commanders near the front lines. These minor mages were then cloaked in invisibility and levitated well above the battle, allowing them to provide constant information to those on the ground. Cocius Roscius won a major victory that day.

5. Do not focus on any one thing, as it may cost you. While this is similar to flexibility, it is imperative that one spell or tactic should not be overused. If all that a mage uses is frost spells, what will he do when an opponent erects a frost shield? The answer is simple, he will have to cast a different spell if he has any hopes to win the battle. This makes him vulnerable, as he has to switch elements and will not be able to prepare a counter spell, or a defensive move.

Audeiu Quaspus: Cocius Roscius’ own winning tactic was his downfall. After a few minor victories the Akaviri had discovered the tactic and found a way to counter it. The Akavir mages prepared widespread dispel spells, and fired them into the air. Severing the links, and without their invisibility cloaks or levitation, some mages dropped to the ground and were killed. Others were able to restore their levitation spells, but were quickly shot down by Akaviri archers and mages. Akavir won its first major victory of the war that day, killing some 1500 of General Roscius’ forces.