Game of Thrones: Tactics of Dragon Warfare (Part 3 of 3)

Pre-Battle Tactics of Dragons

"Dragons are formidable weapons of war, but their proper application is required for victory."

The most common method of travel for dragons is flight, which provides their riders with unparalleled speed, range, and vision. These qualities make dragons ideal for pre-battle roles such as scouting and raiding.
In military operations, a dragon operating alongside an army or fleet often assumes an OverWatch position to monitor for threats and gather intelligence.
For example, during the Targaryen invasion of the Stormlands, Queen Rhaenys was able to report the movements of King Argilac, giving her troops ample time to prepare their defenses before engagement.
To further impair the enemy, dragons could also blind them through intimidation or by directly attacking their reconnaissance forces.
Additionally, dragons could damage the enemy indirectly by conducting raids, which could sever supply lines or disrupt proper foraging, crippling the enemy’s operational capabilities.

"It is in direct engagements when a dragon would truly earn its keep."

When engaged directly in battle, dragons showcase a variety of tactical options suited for combat.
One fundamental tactic is strafing, where dragons fly over enemy troops and unleash torrents of flames. While younger dragons might only scorch smaller groups, older dragons can engulf entire battalions.
Another tactical maneuver is dive bombing, where a dragon descends rapidly to execute a flame attack or direct impact, minimizing their exposure to enemy fire and maximizing surprise and shock.
Moreover, both strafing and dive bombing can be employed for surgical strikes against high-value enemy units like elite forces or commanders, as demonstrated by Aegon during his initial engagements in the Conquest.
The iconic hammer-and-anvil tactic involves pinning the enemy in place with infantry (the anvil) before executing a surprise dragon attack (the hammer). This typically results in devastating outcomes as units attacked from behind tend to lose cohesion rapidly.
Dragons also inspire innovative tactics, such as Aegon’s strategy of setting fire to surrounding lands, creating smoke to cover a combination of strafing and surgical strikes which led to a decisive victory at the Field of Fire.

"While dragons may seem all-powerful, there are various means to defeat them."

While dragons are significant combatants, there are effective countertactics that can be employed.
A straightforward method is to use projectiles, such as massed bow fire or strong bolt throwers, effectively targeting the dragon's vulnerable spots. Historical accounts indicate that during the Greyjoy Wars, several dragons were defeated this way.
Magic, though rare in later times, was a prominent counter in the past. The water wizards of the Riverlands, for example, managed to halt dragon advances with massive water spouts before succumbing to overwhelming forces.
Non-conventional tactics like guerrilla warfare involve ambushing dragons from a position of asymmetrical advantage, making it difficult for them to defend. A notable instance occurred during the Battle of the Wailing Willows, where King Haren's forces inflicted significant losses on Aegon's rear guard.
The Fabian tactic suggests avoiding battle at all costs, as seen during the Dornish Wars, where populations would evacuate to evade dragons.
In situations of civil war, deploying another dragon becomes a crucial tactic to counter a dragon threat, determining aerial supremacy before committing ground forces. Historical records show that many dragon battles took place isolated from main battlefields, often fought to the death, underscoring the significant advantages larger dragons held over smaller ones.