The Role of the Dragon in Overcoming the Wall

In the legendary world of A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, the Night King's dragon proved to be a crucial element in breaching the Wall. However, what if the Night King never got his hands on that powerful creature? How would the Army of the Dead manage to overcome the formidable barrier?

Siege Tactics

One plausible scenario involves a prolonged siege. Given the massive numbers of the Army of the Dead, they could have attempted to wear down the Night's Watch through sheer force. The sheer weight of numbers might have overwhelmed the defenders over time, leading to a desperate struggle for survival. This method would require a significant investment of time and resources, but it's not entirely unimaginable in the context of the series.

Construction of Siege Weapons

Another potential strategy could involve the development of crude siege weapons using the materials available to the White Walkers. It's not far-fetched to imagine them utilizing ice or other enchanted materials to create makeshift ladders and ramps. These would allow them to scale the Wall and directly engage the Night's Watch in bloody combat. The sheer ferocity and relentless nature of the wights would make such an attempt both terrifying and effective.

Utilizing Magical Abilities

The Night King and his army possess potent magical abilities, which they could use to breach the Wall in unconventional ways. For instance, the White Walkers might have employed ice magic to create large fractures in the Wall or to manipulate the terrain around it. Alternatively, they could have found methods to render the Wall temporarily unstable, allowing them to invade through fissures in the rock. The limits of their magic are vast, and without a dragon, their inventive approaches would be crucial in overcoming the Wall's defenses.

Alliances and Strategic Maneuvers

Another strategic option is the Night King forging alliances with other factions in Westeros. By gaining allies, he could have created additional pressure points for the Night's Watch, leading to internal strife and weakening the defense of the Wall. Alternatively, he could have lured key commanders or members of the Night's Watch into betraying their own ranks, creating opportunities for infiltration. This would, of course, require the willingness of other factions to join forces with the Army of the Dead, a highly speculative possibility given the series' politics.

Waiting for a Moment of Weakness

The Night King's patience and endurance are unparalleled. He could have waited for a moment when the Night's Watch was weakened, perhaps by a natural disaster, disease, or internal conflict. This strategy would involve biding time until the optimal moment to strike, ensuring that the Wall would be vulnerable when the White Walkers attacked. The sheer number of wights at his disposal would mean that even a significant portion of them could still pose a devastating threat, regardless of the losses incurred in an initial assault.

Alternative Methods of Breaching the Wall

In addition to the above strategies, the Army of the Dead could have attempted other methods to breach the Wall. For instance, they could have used the fluidity and adaptability of the wights to tunnel through the Wall. Given their agility, the army might have been able to climb the Wall, only to drop back down while the Night King and his dragons kept the Night's Watch distracted. Or, they might have used the conceit that wights can walk under water, similar to the magical scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean, to bypass the Wall entirely. This mechanical and hydrostatic approach would require significant control over the wights, but it could potentially be a viable alternative.

The acquisition of a dragon by the Night King was a dramatic and pivotal moment, highlighting the formidable power of his army. Without it, the Army of the Dead would have faced significant challenges, leading to a different strategic situation in the North. The Night King's true strength lay not just in his wights, but in his cunning, patience, and willingness to employ unconventional methods to achieve his goals.