Who is the Greatest *Great Captain*?

Who is the Greatest of the *Great Captains*.


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Idris ab Eynon said:
I suspect they're all on a par and, rather than one being better than the other, embody various types of warfare. I'm going with Bryne though. For all he nods his head and follows orders, he knows exactly what's going on, who's where and what's happening next.

As for them embodying aspects of warfare, what makes you of these thoughts?

Ituralde, for example, appears to be THE MAN for guerrilla and irregular warfare. His army appears to travel light and fast and his tactics so far - bar the defence of the forts - have been geared around misdirection, excellent use of terrain and high adaptability. He's been out numbered throughout and, rather than being hobbled, has used this to his advantage by striking where least expected, legging it and then doing it again.
Rightly or wrongly, he makes me think of Rommel a little. Possibly it's the Little Wolf or The Wolf/Desert Fox thing.

Gareth Bryne seemingly has a grasp of both the overall picture and minutiae. His command structure is develoved and a lot of trust goes into those who serve under him. He doesn't appear to be that innovative but strikes me as a coordinated and dependable commander.
Makes me think of John Churchill (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chur ... arlborough).

Pedron Niall. Not so sure about Niall but, gender aside, seems rather Joan of Arc/Cromwell-ish. Zeal, fervour, led from the front. Done over by his own side etc.

Davram Bashere. Cavalry man after the Mongol fashion. Fast, harrying. Not one for static defence, I supect, but rather blitzkrieg quick strikes. A jolly little Ghengis.

Agelmar Jagad. Given where the guy's from, I'm thinking this is the man you'd look to if you want to fight for something. Doggedly. For ever. Not showy but meticulous and methodical like a machine. Chop, hack, next. Hints of Sparta about the guy but I reckon he's all about defensive or static warfare whereby you turn up, dig in, and mince anything that tries to get through.

Matt has hints of everyone for obvious reasons. His moving towards combined arms and mobile field artillery made me think of Gustavus Adolphus though.


Even if i don't know some of the names you dropped your reasoning seems sound but it doesn't answer what I asked about Mat. His personal forces are hands down the best army out there in every way simply because Mat didn't focus on just one or two aspects of warfare to train his forces in he focused on the overall picture and made sure his boys are ready for anything. And his battlefield tatics and stratagies, what little we have actually seen written out rather then glossed over rather quickly, have made even Rodell look like a kid picking up a sword for the first time honestly. Even if he is not widely acknowledged as a great Captain yet I feel he has more then earned his place on this list and I feel he is the greatest of them all
 

Alkeis Cha'ane

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anywyayss newborn generals/fighters/taveran/younglings aside, i would say you cannot get around one of the blight commanders being the key .... agelmar jaggad or bashere, jaggad seems to be the one that symbolizes a wall against the blights attempts to encroach to the other lands, while bashere represents the attacking arm
 
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I'd have to say that Rodel is my favorite, and like other posters have mentioned.... it's not easy to judge them considering that we don't see them all in action persay.

My 2nd choice would probably have to be Pedron Niall. He dies an old man of treachery, never in a battle. His office was filled with captured standards and war mementos from tens of engagements (all of which he survived to tell the tale). Even as an elderly man, he was respected for his cunning at a point in his life where much of his mental acuity had probably diminished from his earlier days. The Childred of the Light aren't really a national army, so I would imagine that organizing them, providing for them, and leading them in battle would be more of a challenge.

As far as the Mat question goes, I think that his capability as a tactician puts him up there with the other "Great Captains", but it's not really just your ability that puts you in that category. It's great ability + great achievements. It's kinda like trying to say that a professional sports player is the greatest of all time at his position after only playing out his rookie season. I don't care how great your one season was, being considered one of the greatest has to encompass an entire carreer. Mat is one of my favorite characters, but I doubt anyone judging him by his few battles would compare his carreer to any of the other "Great Captains".
 
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I would say Agalmar, Davram and Rhodel are all pretty well matched. Of course there all good in their own fields. Rhodel and Niall are the tactitions. Agalamr and Davram are the warrior-generals and from what little fighitng we've seen him actually command I would say Bryne is in the middle.
 
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One other Great Captain I feel should be on the list, but isn't, because he's not from the Westlands is Rhuarc. All the clan chiefs are known for their tactical brilliance, fighting ability, and wisdom ... but Rhuarc, Bashere, and Mat together have planned multiple battles together, and he has more than held his own.
 
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I also vote for Rodel, none of the other captains listed come close. Matt, on the other hand, would definately give Rodel a run for his money.
 

CalebMSmith90

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has to be Mat. In the guide, he is said to be a 6th undeclared great captain, and he has brought back ingenious methods of warfare not seen since the trolloc wars. genious. other than that id say Agelmar Jagad. He has to defend Tarwins gap. No other captain save Bashere has that much experience with battle, and Tarwins gap is the most popular entry point for darkspawn. illustrated by the huge battle that wouldve taken place there in book one, if not for rands intervention.
 

Kaldam Luciere

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I went with Ituralde, although my instincts screamed Jagad.

Wasn't overall command of the Battle of the Shining Walls given to Jagad?
 
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For some reason I thought it rotated through the commanders, but I don't honestly remember.
 

Morrighan Daghdera

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from http://wot.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_of_the_Shining_Walls

Composition of forces

The Grand Alliance mustered approximately 170,000 troops, consisting of the following contingents:

29,000 from Shienar under Lord Agelmar Jagad.
28,000 from Andor under Lord Aranvor Naldwinn.
26,000 from Illian under King Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar.
24,000 from Tear under the High Lord Astoril Damara.
21,000 from Arafel under Lord Hirare Nachiman.
12,000 from Tar Valon under Captain Azil Mareed.
c. 7,000 from Cairhien under King Laman Damodred.
5,000 from Ghealdan under Lord Aleshin Talvaen.
4,000 from Amadicia under Lord Aeman Senhold.
4,000 of the Children of the Light under Lord Captain Commander Pedron Niall.
c. 4,000 from Murandy under a rotating council of nobles.
3,500 from Altara under a rotating council of nobles.
an unknown number of mercenaries, irregulars and minor forces from other countries, including a small force from Arad Doman under General Rodel Ituralde, a detachment of the Winged Guards of Mayene and even some surviving veterens of Malkier under al'Lan Mandragoran.

In addition, mercenaries and irregulars from the remaining nations and city-states also fought. Armies from Saldaea and Kandor had set out to join the Alliance, but been recalled to deal with a fresh incursion of Shadowspawn out of the Blight.

Leadership

The Grand Alliance had initially compromised on Lord Agelmar Jagad of Fal Dara as their field commander, based on his sterling reputation in battle, Shienar's success in raising and sending the largest possible army and the Borderlands' aloofness from the political intrigue in the southern kingdoms which made other choices unacceptable to certain participants. However, King Laman of Cairhien was vehement that he should command, as Cairhien had suffered the most from the depredations of the Aiel invasion. After some extremely unbecoming bickering, it was decided to rotate command between the commanders of the different armies as a compromise measure.

So, you're both right. Jagad was initially in charge, then they rotated amongst those listed.
 

Kaldam Luciere

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At least three of the great captains were there, possibly Byrne as well.

Formidable army, though they did struggle.
 
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I think Rodel Ituralde because even though he needed Rand's help, a) he didn't let his pride get in the way and b) he made good use of it
 

Caliden Al'Waes

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Gareth Bryne hands down. He is flawless in my eyes. From Elayne quoting him from her childhood, to Suian being madly in love with him and him her.. Giving the entire army to Egwene.. the man is flawless and I adore him. I want him to be my father.
 
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I agree with you. His battle plans in the books were developed much more than any of the other great captains. One of them may be better, but we have not seen that yet.

On a side note, if I could write in a vote, Matrim Bloody Cauthon. I know he is not one of the great captains, but he probably better than any two of them combined.
Of course he is the best!
 
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