Rome vs Han China

but war is not a game of chance, the out come of one depends on many different factors such as the strategies used, the general commanding the army, the soldiers' morale level, amount of supplies, etc.

which means this entire conversation is, well, moot.

but war is not a game of chance

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I beg to differ. In may instances, the outcome of a battle may depend on, well, sheer luck. One lucky spear throw can kill the enemy general, one lucky rainstorm can wet the strings of the enemy crossbowman (as occured in the battle of Crecy). It may be just sheer luck than an army rested for one extra day and avoided an abmush that would've left it to its total destruction.

FriedRiceNSpice said:

I beg to differ. In may instances, the outcome of a battle may depend on, well, sheer luck. One lucky spear throw can kill the enemy general, one lucky rainstorm can wet the strings of the enemy crossbowman (as occured in the battle of Crecy). It may be just sheer luck than an army rested for one extra day and avoided an abmush that would've left it to its total destruction.

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A good army does not depend on luck, so if it's army is weakened by luck it will not be destroyed. A good army's general always know where the enemy might ambush him and sends scouts forward. I think it depends mostly on the general, and there has been cases in history when an army that was outnumbered by the enemy 10 to 1 won the battle.

A good army does not depend on luck

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Some times they do.

If the Romans had 3000 legions and Han has only 100 guards in a small city.

What if the city is near a cliff, and 2999 Romans sliped and died on accident? Then its 100 on 1 . LOL

you must be insane, liberator, 2999 died of slipping of a cliff?! if the general is smart, then he might not attack the city directly but rather surround the city and wait the enemies out. the enemy would eventually run out of food and water. see, no casualties.

Rome do have very formidable discipline and tactics. But they do not have monopoly of it.

In han China, crossbowmen are arrange in 3 ranks to alternate fire (front rank - fires; rear rank reloads; middle rank -advance). Doing so ensures a consistant barrage. These crossbowmen are protected by a shield wall of heavy infantry from melee attacks.

you must be insane, liberator, 2999 died of slipping of a cliff?! if the general is smart, then he might not attack the city directly but rather surround the city and wait the enemies out. the enemy would eventually run out of food and water. see, no casualties.

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I was just showing that battles can be won with luck.

Liberator said:

I was just showing that battles can be won with luck.

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Well battles can be won with luck, yes, but good generals do not depend on luck. A better example of your example is:

A huge army surrounds a city, the city is outnumbered by a whole lot and have no way of manning the walls sufficiently, so the city's general ordered all the gates to be opened, with only old men sweeping the way by the gate, and the general plays an instrument on the city walls, infront of the enemy army formations. The enemy sees this, and thinks, hm, they are letting us into the city. No, it must be a trap. And the besieging army retreats. Luck? No. Strategy my friend, the city's general, Zhu Ge Liang, knew the besieging army's general's personality pretty well. He also knew that the enemy general is always very suspicious of things. So he knew if he made things look suspicious enough, the enemy will think it's a trap and retreat.

After 2 days the besieging army's general realized he was fooled and attacked the city again. But the city has been abandoned. No one was inside but civilians.

IDonT said:

Rome do have very formidable discipline and tactics. But they do not have monopoly of it.

In han China, crossbowmen are arrange in 3 ranks to alternate fire (front rank - fires; rear rank reloads; middle rank -advance). Doing so ensures a consistant barrage. These crossbowmen are protected by a shield wall of heavy infantry from melee attacks.

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Wouldn't that mean the crossbowmen would be firing into their own heavy infantry?

But the city has been abandoned. No one was inside but civilians.

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But then in the end, you lose the city. :/