Azog The Commander vs Azog The Strategist

Have not seen this topic discussed here. It may have been addressed in the book, but I read it so many years ago I do not remember it.

Azog was a great leader as he commanded a big army of Orcs. However, he did it by force and terror. But in the end, he had to fail. He was not a strategist. He arrived just as the armies of men, Elves, and Dwarves were about to fight among themselves. It would have been better to let the armies of men, Elves, and Dwarves fight among them, kill and injure as many as possible. Then bring his Orc armies a day later to fight and mop up the survivors.

He could also have directed the Were Worms to bore holes direct under the mountain into Thorin’s stronghold instead of to the open. With his Orc army inside the mountain, he could have wiped Thorin’s company and be inside a fortified stronghold that men, Elves, and Dwarves would have had a tough time cracking.

Azog may have been powerful and strong but stupid at the same time. Had to fail. Missed two opportunities.