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This section deals with a dragon's offensive capabilities against different kinds of units.

Dragons versus Light Infantry

Massed light infantry represents one of the more formidable threats or defenses against a dragon, because of their missile capability. As mentioned earlier, a single missile would not pose a grave risk to a dragon, but heavier missile volleys from light infantry could easily hit and damage the wings if fired from well within effective range. A skilled medieval archer could fire 6 aimed arrows per minute on average: Consider an army with light infantry support consisting of 1.000 archers, for example. They could fire coordinated volleys of 1.000 arrows every 10 seconds , or 6.000 in one minute. Even a dragon would instinctively shy away and keep its distance from such intensive fire.

A dragon can close in on its target at over 50 feet/s (15 m/s), which means that the infantry will only be able to fire two volleys after the dragon is within effective range and before the dragon is within fire-breathing distance (6). Shorter intervals with smaller volleys (500 missiles every 5 seconds for example), depending on how the troops are sub-divided, will therefore provide higher firing rates at the cost of lower firepower.

In order to sustain this suppressive and protective fire, the archers will need to rely on a plentiful supply of arrows. Running out of ammo against a regular army would not be that fatal, because of the support and protection from other types of units, such as cavalry or heavy infantry. But dragons would pose a constant threat which cavalry or heavy infantry would be unable to suppress due to their lack of long range offensive capabilities, and consequently the importance of light infantry is strenghtened when fighting dragons.

Some dragons can hurl fireballs several hundred feet, although they would still be outranged by missile troops. If a dragon is able to get within range and hurl such a fireball, it would cause havoc among packed infantry troops. Non-massed troops or smaller groups would be less vulnerable to such attacks, but at the same time they would also represent a weaker threat to a dragon.

In order to inflict as much destruction as possible, a dragon should strafe enemy units from the flanks by flying parallel to their frontline. Attacking from this angle would also make it harder for the infantry to concentrate its fire.

Dragons versus Heavy Infantry

Heavy infantry lacks a proper offensive option against flying dragons. Their armor and defensive formations will protect them (more or less) against the dragon's claws and tail, but not against its fire breath. Heavy infantry also lacks mobility, and as soon as they break formations and start to flee, they would be easy prey for a dragon in pursuit.

Rear or flank attacks will always be preferable to frontal attacks against these units, and a dragon would under most circumstances prefer this line of least resistance whenever possible. Certain heavy infantry formations may lack sufficient articulation to prevent a successful attack against their weaker flanks. Sudden rear attacks can have a devastating psychological effect as well.

If a dragon has exhausted its fire, it needs to resort to physical shock action, a discipline in which massed heavy infantry excels. The dragon can conceivably perform a low-swoop and try to grab a soldier with its claws, but such low fly-bys will expose its underbelly and wings to throwing spears. Repeated attempts of this kind could be risky, and probably outweigh the 'reward' of killing one soldier. But if a dragon successfully grabs a soldier and lifts him into the air, nothing prevents it from dropping him on his own troops from high above.

Dragons versus Light Cavalry

Light cavalry may have the same missile capabilities as light infantry, but they usually lack the accuracy and concentrated firepower of light infantry. But neither light cavalry nor light infantry would stand any chance against a dragon in close combat.

Their high mobility and skirmishing tactics can be valuable against regular armies, but their mobility is of limited use against faster dragons. A manned horse can reach speeds of 30 miles/hr (48 km/hr), while a dragon can fly at speeds of at least 35 miles/hr (56 km/hr).

That is not to say that their mobility is useless, because the relative speeds will still make room for some evasive maneuvers. And by combining evasive mobility with somewhat coordinated missile attacks, light cavalry could still pose a danger to swooping dragons.

A fundamental problem seems to be related to the horses, because even battle-trained warhorses would most likely get scared by a large, roaring, sweeping dragon. Horses are easily scared by huge elephants for example (7) or unfamiliar scents. A panic-stricken horse would obviously be of little use as a weapons platform.

Dragons versus Heavy Cavalry

Heavy cavalry and light cavalry share some of the same properties when fighting dragons: Mobility and the possibility of panic-stricken horses, although heavy cavalry is slower and less mobile than light cavalry. Because heavy cavalry lacks offensive long-range capabilities, and because their shock action would be virtually useless against a faster, flying dragon, they would essentially be reduced to defensive units. And as such, they would be far less efficient than massed heavy infantry. Their size and lower mobility (compared to light cavalry) would make them good targets for a fireball-hurling dragon as well. The dragon could burn the mounted man at close range or simply grab him, crush him with its jaws, or kick him off the horse.

Dragons versus Armies

The previous sections have looked at dragons versus different types of units from an isolated standpoint, but how can a dragon be used tactically against an army, consisting of different kinds of units working in tandem?

In certain fantasy worlds, such as ASOIAF, dragons are rare and precious, and this will often dictate how dragons are used in battle. Sending the dragons ahead of the army as skirmishers against a strong, missile-equipped enemy will only expose them to unnecessary risks. A better solution might be to use them as reserves and leave the offensive to conventional weapons.

Dragons (or other kinds of units for that matter) can be devastating if sent into battle at the right moment: When the battle is in a stalemate or when a decisive opportunity arises. The idea is to let the less valuable regular forces take the brunt of the enemy attacks or counterattacks, and then send in the dragon later.

The mere presence of a dragon may also cause concern among the enemy troops. As long as the dragon stays nearby, the enemy can not simply ignore it, and extra precautionary steps will need to be taken. Dragons can also be used as a tactical surprise or as a deception mechanism. Under certain circumstances, it is therefore better to not let the enemy know of the dragon's presence at all.

Against smaller and less prepared armies, without long-range offensive capabilities, the risk of sending in the dragon ahead would be much lower. The dragons could partake in the initial assualt as shock-weapons to disrupt enemy formations and frontlines, thereby making it easier for friendly troops to exploit enemy gaps.

Dragons can have a demoralizing and psychological effect on enemy forces. Undisciplined or 'green' units may simply start to flee at the rare sight of a dragon. Even disciplined troops may feel demoralized by the presence of dragons, although experienced veterans usually stay and fight, at least until they have suffered significant losses.

A dragon is highly suitable for pursuing a beaten, fleeing enemy. Because dragons can fly faster than a galloping horse, they can even pursue fleeing cavalry. The risk would be minimal, because fleeing soldiers tend to drop their weapons in order to get rid of excessive weight which slows them down. Their morale and fighting spirit would also be broken, and they would be very easy prey for the dragons.

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