Tactical discussion: AFDS (anti-Fell Beast - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Neurion · 02-11-2005, 01:44 PM

In addition to trolls and Mumakil, Fell Beasts also present a somewhat thorny problem to tackle (at least Jackson's do. Tolkien's were more reconaissance platforms than actual weapons).

What measures do the noble Captains of Gondor propose to take to meet this threat?

Boromir88 · 02-11-2005, 01:57 PM

Why all you have to do is look at TTT where Faramir shoots one with an arrow. OR you can go the more difficult (but no doubt manlier) route of beheading one, like thy lady Eowyn.

Neurion · 02-11-2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Why all you have to do is look at TTT where Faramir shoots one with an arrow. OR you can go the more difficult (but no doubt manlier) route of beheading one, like thy lady Eowyn.

Ah, but my lord, it is my sad duty to tell you that in the first example the creature was not slain and in both cases the Beasts were not swooping about, as is their wont.

alatar · 02-11-2005, 02:06 PM

Didn't Faramir shoot at one in TTT? Seemed that one arrow smarted enough to drive the thing away.

I'd say shoot many arrows then. Fire arrows would be better.

Gandalf used his magic flashlight to drive them off, but this may have been specific to the Nazgul and not the Fell Beast, so not sure there. How much weight could one carry? Could a bola-like device be useful to foul-up their wings? Once they are grounded, you might want to have a female Rohirrim nearby.

One thing that PJ made me think about that did not occur before I saw the movies was that these beasts weren't just up in the sky making everyone cringe but could be used in very close ground support.

Snorri Swifthammer · 02-11-2005, 02:11 PM

A grapeshot catapult.

Take a normal bowl shaped catapult fill it with small rubble and sharp bits and let loss. Those nice membranous fell beast wings won't appreciate it.

Neurion · 02-11-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alatar

One thing that PJ made me think about that did not occur before I saw the movies was that these beasts weren't just up in the sky making everyone cringe but could be used in very close ground support.

Actually, Tolkien stipulated that the Fell Beasts never came within bowshot. Apparently the Ringwraiths knew better than to dare the skill of the archers of Gondor.

alatar · 02-11-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neurion

Actually, Tolkien stipulated that the Fell Beasts never came within bowshot. Apparently the Ringwraiths knew better than to dare the skill of the archers of Gondor.

Didn't they close in on Faramir's retreating soldiers?

Neurion · 02-11-2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alatar

Didn't they close in on Faramir's retreating soldiers?

No. In one instance they tried to attack Faramir himself (an important commander), before being driven off by Gandalf and the Dol Amroth knights.

*Edit*

I just checked RotK again. The Nazgul only attempt to attack men on the ground twice, and are both times driven off by Gandalf before they can actually cause any harm, though it's at first assumed that they wounded Faramir.

Essex · 02-11-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Ah, but my lord, it is my sad duty to tell you that in the first example the creature was not slain

how do you know the fell beast wasn't slain, because if it was it closes a big plot hole with the nazgul not being able to report back to sauron in time........also someone posted a few weeks back that they only saw 7 fell beasts at the black gate I believe.......

02-11-2005, 01:44 PM	#1
Neurion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Standing amidst the slaughter I have wreaked upon the orcs Posts: 258	Tactical discussion: AFDS (anti-Fell Beast defensive systems) In addition to trolls and Mumakil, Fell Beasts also present a somewhat thorny problem to tackle (at least Jackson's do. Tolkien's were more reconaissance platforms than actual weapons). What measures do the noble Captains of Gondor propose to take to meet this threat? __________________ ____________________________________ "And a cold voice rang forth from the blade. Yea, I will drink thy blood, that I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly." Last edited by Neurion; 02-11-2005 at 01:50 PM.

02-11-2005, 01:57 PM	#2
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,518	Why all you have to do is look at TTT where Faramir shoots one with an arrow. OR you can go the more difficult (but no doubt manlier) route of beheading one, like thy lady Eowyn.

02-11-2005, 02:06 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Didn't Faramir shoot at one in TTT? Seemed that one arrow smarted enough to drive the thing away. I'd say shoot many arrows then. Fire arrows would be better. Gandalf used his magic flashlight to drive them off, but this may have been specific to the Nazgul and not the Fell Beast, so not sure there. How much weight could one carry? Could a bola-like device be useful to foul-up their wings? Once they are grounded, you might want to have a female Rohirrim nearby. One thing that PJ made me think about that did not occur before I saw the movies was that these beasts weren't just up in the sky making everyone cringe but could be used in very close ground support.

02-11-2005, 02:11 PM	#5
Snorri Swifthammer Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Erebor Posts: 49	A grapeshot catapult. Take a normal bowl shaped catapult fill it with small rubble and sharp bits and let loss. Those nice membranous fell beast wings won't appreciate it.