[Samus1111111]

At least they should have put all of the archers on the wall, so they could shoot. What's the point of archers if they are too far back to be able to shoot the enemy.

[Pietrak]

Every wise commander holds something in reserve, so he can anticipate problems yet to come, at least not to be helpless if something unexpected occours.

[Radagast]

Like Théoden in the Battle of the Pelennor fields?

But yeah, you're right, it's desirable to hold something in reserve.

[Pietrak]

Theoden didn't have much of a choice there, he would lift the sige or die. Besides, he knew he left an army behind his back in Anorien, so their coming would not suprise him

[turin son of hurin]

All Saruman had to do is beseige Helm's Deep and wait....

1. He knew of Eomer's forces and if his troops were outfitted with Pikes (as the movie, can't remember from the book) that weapon is Perfect against horses

2. He knew of Gandalf and could have either scryed or sent spies to tell him where he was headed. So even if Gandalf had come with the Eomer's forces they would have been decimated by the superior forces at Helm's Deep.

3. Even with the blasting (gun) powder he would have still had an army at his back and a useless fortress in hand with losses taken from conquering the Helm, so why waste the manpower?

Just some thoughts as I am watching the Extended Version of the TT and am incredulous!!

[Dante]

What Saruman should have done was position his entire army inside Helms Deep and a defender is him!

[Galendae]

Quote: Originally Posted by turin son of hurin

All Saruman had to do is beseige Helm's Deep and wait....

1. He knew of Eomer's forces and if his troops were outfitted with Pikes (as the movie, can't remember from the book) that weapon is Perfect against horses

Don't confuse the movies with Lore. Eomer arrived at Helm's Deep with Theoden and took part in its defense. Not like the movies portrayed. The whole Pike thing is Hollywood. At no point does Tolkien describe The Uruk-hai as armed with giant Spears or Pikes to ward off Cavalry charges.

Quote: Originally Posted by turin son of hurin

2. He knew of Gandalf and could have either scryed or sent spies to tell him where he was headed. So even if Gandalf had come with the Eomer's forces they would have been decimated by the superior forces at Helm's Deep.

My take from the book is the only way Saruman would have known of the presence of Gandalf would be thru the Palantir. So saying definitively that "he knew of Gandalf" is a reach. The forces that arrive in the book to relieve Helm's Deep are those gathered by Gandalf from the remnants of the previous Battle of the Isen Ford. Gandalf used the speed of Shadowfax to co ordinate these dispersed forces. These men were led by their Lord, Erkenbrand,(not Eomer) who if memory serves me well was "Master of Westfold". These forces while timely, were not decisive, the arrival of the Hurons sealed the fate of Saruman's army.

Quote: Originally Posted by turin son of hurin

3. Even with the blasting (gun) powder he would have still had an army at his back and a useless fortress in hand with losses taken from conquering the Helm, so why waste the manpower?

From the book, their was no army at Saruman's armies back. They had defeated and routed the forces under Theodred and Erkenbrand at the Battle of the Fords of the Isen. The road to Helm's Deep and for that matter the road to Edoras lay open to the hordes of Saruman. The army that appears is thru the effort of Gandalf and the valor of Erkenbrand and the hardmarching of the Westfolders of Rohan. In the book one gets the impression that the majority of Erkenbrands force is on foot.

I know you qualified your statements as based on the movies, but it is tough to swallow that crap in a Lore section. Read the books, and find the extended writings Tolkien did on the Battle of the Isen Ford and the timelines that lead to that battles in Rohan. Lots to chew on there. Lots gets explained too.

Galendae