How did the alliance suddenly lose so many?

[Aeula]

I guess they sent an army on those boats that got sunk on Nazjatar.

Ultimately, speculating about the size of Azeroth’s armies is pointless because it changes to suit the plot. Next expansion both the Alliance and Horde will have a booming army with a strong economy to fight the bigbad.

[Trassk]

They lost a big ass fleet when chasing nathanos across the ocean before azehara parted the sea and caused then all to crash

[Darknessvamp]

Clearly the Warfronts are canonical to the Wars losses as the constant supply of troops to the tug of war over two zones cost them enough soldiers to affect the War Campaign. Either that or Anduin was being purposely deceptive to withhold troops from assisting the rebels in case Sadfang's gambit didn't play out in their favour.

[reploid]

You guys are also forgetting the losses during Legion, which was mostly an alliance expansion. Sure we both lost a lot during the Broken Shore initial battle, but after that losses were a lot more significant on the alliance side all the way up to argus. And the battle of dazar’alor was a success in terms of fulfillment, in which they were able to assault the castle and take the king, but their losses on nazmir were huge, very unlike a common alliance strategy. A very costly feint, thats for sure. Remember Nazmir was still very much blood troll land still, so they were fighting the horde AND the blood trolls. We on the other hand did not have to commit an army for an assault of that size in kultiras, where we employ mostly hit and run, iron stars that roll around killing everything on their path, remote bombs and so on.

[Vargulf the Happy Husky]

blizzards shit story telling. no other answer matters.

[Lochton]

Right before Azshara, the Alliance were crushing it and were weeks from winning the war.

During the setup for Siege of Orgrimmar 2.0, Anduin says it's their last troops.

Am I missing something? What happened?
Did the battle against Azshara dwindle all their numbers or what?

Did you not notice the massive fleet that was consumed by the reveal of Nazjatar? The Alliance played all cards in hope that those three ships contained Sylvanas and information of her scheme. Instead, it had her doll and the dagger - which by the way has gone missing.

As well, the Night Elves and a good chunk of Worgen does not wish to partake on most, and aims for Darkshore, and other forces for Arathi.

[Varodoc]

I love how everyone is claiming the Alliance was always the underdog in BfA and never had a chance to win the war because Anduin was left to conscript farmers:

[Zuben]

If we learned anything from Teldrassil it's that there are no simple magical methods to move large quantities of people across the world. Also, many regiments were tied to warfronts around Azeroth; vacating those would've left them open for Sylvanas's forces on site. So the forces at the gates of Orgrimmar could just have been what was available. Sylvanas on the other hand would've had Orgrimmar's regular guard as well as whatever is normal for wartime defensive preparations, plus the defending side of a fortress can do with fewer numbers than the attacking side due to their advantage in position.

[Rozz]

Their strongest bulk forces were wasted, their specialty forces are hard to replenish, and some races barely had enough to offer in the first place.

Although it doesn't make up for the flip flopping, it is understandable why they would be reasonably spent.

[Lumineus]

I love how everyone is claiming the Alliance was always the underdog in BfA and never had a chance to win the war because Anduin was left to conscript farmers:

And...? Did you even play this raid? BoDA was a surgical strike that cost immense resources to pull off, including the life of a vanishingly rare Lightforged Monk, and despite these sacrifices, we didn't even really manage to kill Rastakhan on our own. He died because he overdosed on death magic and burned out his body. Then we ran away when we heard the Horde coming up the elevator, and got our proverbial butts handed to us while fleeing. A weak and pathetic showing, all told.

[Varodoc]

And...? Did you even play this raid? BoDA was a surgical strike that cost immense resources to pull off, including the life of a vanishingly rare Lightforged Monk, and despite these sacrifices, we didn't even really manage to kill Rastakhan on our own. He died because he overdosed on death magic and burned out his body. Then we ran away when we heard the Horde coming up the elevator, and got our proverbial butts handed to us while fleeing. A weak and pathetic showing, all told.

................ Did you even watch the video? The Warchief's second-in-command literally says victory is within the Alliance's grasp.

[Shiza]

Maybe Alliance military tactics consist of trying to drown the Horde in Alliance soldier's blood or something.

The Anduin doctrin of the Alliance Military punishes every Alliance Soldier who commits the war crime of hurting an Horde Soldier physically or emotionally either in our out of combat with the death sentence.

[formerShandalay]

That was what happened at Nazjatar, wasn't it? Only a few Horde ships being hunted by almost the entire army and fleet of the alliance, so Nathanos could lead them all into the trap and they'd get crushed. So, Horde lost a few ships and a few troops, but the alliance lost half of their remaining army and even more of their Navy.
Obviously the plan was also to get rid of all of the heroes, Horde and Alliance alike, but that didn't work out.

[Enthusiastic Steward]

Brewfest is a hell of a party.

[Katchii]

Isn't it just a token force put together by Anduin to assist Saurfang outside of official Alliance business? It's not a representation of the official Alliance military.

[Friendlyimmolation]

The Anduin doctrin of the Alliance Military punishes every Alliance Soldier who commits the war crime of hurting an Horde Soldier physically or emotionally either in our out of combat with the death sentence.

"We don't win by killing those we hate, but by defending those we love"

[Mehrunes]

Alliance already had to resort to conscripting peasants for their offensive in 8.1. So even if they were winning at that point, they were bound to lose steam rather quickly. Especially with Alliance deciding not to press an advantage because Trolls would be sad if they did.

Those 6 boats chasing the Horde? Yeah I did notice them.

Ever heard of game scale? The entirety of Orcs of New Horde fled Eastern Kingdoms on like three ships in-game.

Isn't it just a token force put together by Anduin to assist Saurfang outside of official Alliance business? It's not a representation of the official Alliance military.

Anduin outright told Saurfang that he has enough troops for that last push on Orgrimmar. And as stated by multiple people after the Mak'gora, Sylvanas' forces far surpassed the Alliance and the traitors to the Horde combined.

"We don't win by killing those we hate, but by defending those we love"

Given by their praise for last season of GoT, chances are Last Jedi also served as an inspiration for BfA.

[Venziir]

They lost a lot at Lordaeron, they lost a lot at Dazar'alor because the Horde managed to fight back sooner than they anticipated and they lost even more at Nazjatar. What is really wierd is that the Horde still had enough troops to both launch a resistance AND fortify Orgrimmar despite the fact that we were told that the Horde was loosing all over.

[Mehrunes]

They lost a lot at Lordaeron, they lost a lot at Dazar'alor because the Horde managed to fight back sooner than they anticipated and they lost even more at Nazjatar. What is really wierd is that the Horde still had enough troops to both launch a resistance AND fortify Orgrimmar despite the fact that we were told that the Horde was loosing all over.

With Alliance's usual ineptitude *cough* "pushing an advantage would make us no better than Sylvanas" *cough* and the likely questionable performance of their peasant army I guess the Horde got some breathing room after Dazar'alor and managed to regroup.

[cparle87]

Yeah I don't really know what issue you're taking here man, the Sadfang cinematic where he gets released and they talk about how the Alliance forces are depleted came before all Dazar'alor. If you're going to try to snipe at least try not to be shit at it.

This is your quote.
"Nah the Alliance just up and somehow lost most of their forces somewhere off screen before Dazar'alor. The writers weren't concerned with a consistent war story, they just wanted a cheap framing device to show their character dramas against."

Can you somehow explain your argument that the Alliance "lost most of their forces before Dazar'alor" when it was repeatedly stated ingame that the Alliance were in a position to win the war in weeks after Dazar'alor? Cause right now you're just bashing on the writers while it looks to me you don't even know what was going on.