Dothraki part 2

Thanks for the quick turn around on my questions and the insightful comments.

As a follow up to my previous question about a Dothraki invasion, what do you imagine would be the most likely scenario if Khal Drogo had landed after the War of 5 Kings begins? After Blackwater? After Tywin’s death?

I can see why the Dothraki would ultimately fail (lack of popular support, resupply, artillery, siege equipment, etc.) however I would like to learn more about how they would attack Westeros and how they would approach a field battle against Westerosi forces. How would the Dothraki’s mobility and speed match up against the technology and discipline of the Reach/Westerland forces? 

I apologize if I am spamming you. I am a huge fan of your work and am eager to learn more.

The more disorganized and tired Westeros is when the Dothraki land, the better for the Dothraki. So obviously pre-War would go badly for them, post-Tywin’s death would go well. In general, they’d want to avoid a situation where the Reach’s army is in once piece. 

I think the Dothraki would probably engage in mass raids and start by attacking undefended centers where they can loot, then try to use false retreats to take out Westerosi armies in the field. 

In terms of how successful they would be, I think it comes down to two things: first, how they handle geography, and second how they handle the Westerosi army and how the Westerosi armies handle them. On the former, the Dothraki are not used to significant bodies of water or hills or mountains – so the Dothraki are not going to deal well with Dorne or the Westerlands or the Vale, and they’d be in danger of having their numbers massively reduced if they get hit during a river-crossing. 

On the latter: I think the Dothraki would probably enjoy initial success against Westerosi knights if the knights try for a straight-forward knightly charge, because they can tire them out with feigned retreat, pull them off their horses with their whips, and shoot them with abandon. If the knights can come to grips with them, however, they’re going to fare poorly b/c of the difference in equipment. 

However, the main shortcoming of the Dothraki is that they will not flank infantry. While they can probably ride down raw peasant levies, the first time they come up against a proper shield wall working in coordination with archers, they’re going to die in huge numbers, because their sense of honor won’t let them retreat. 

And the Dothraki can’t reinforce once they’re in Westeros.