Let us suppose that Dominion attempts to invade the mainland of Tamriel again. What will their strategy be, considering geographical and strategic nuances of the land and the experience of the Great War?
Looking on this map, I don't think the Dominion will even bother with Skyrim and Hammerfell? It has clear access to both Cyrodiil (naval and land) and High Rock (naval) and considering Altmeri tendency of plotting I think they will instigate a conflict between Nords and Redguards and focus on the Cyrodiil and High Rock themselves.
They'd go for Cyrodiil first and then focus on High Rock, I don't know what the Redguards would do though, they might not really like the Empire anymore, but they would probably realise it would be their own demise to let the Elves get Cyrodiil and High Rock.
They would probably try to take the coast of Hammerfell at some point, but I think they learned from their previous mistake of going into the desert.
Just a thought, if Stormcloaks win the Civil War they basically give High Rock to the Dominion. Empire won't be able to get it's legions neither through Hammerfell nor through Skyrim.
There are already seeds for the conflict between Skyrim and Hammerfell - Skaven incident
Thalmor victory at the city of Skaven when they conquered the city. Nord armies were sitting out that time. Check Vix's Great War article and Lu-ah's Journal
It would've been. I still have the initial unit roster...
the Empire:
City Watch (bowmen)
City Guard (spearmen)
Legion Scouts (light cavalry)
Novice Mages
Provincial Legionaries (as seen in Morrowind)
Provincial Legionary Spearmen (as in Morrowind, but with spears)
Provincial Legionary Bowmen
Legionaries (first as in Oblivion, later as in Skyrim)
Legionary Bowmen (same)
Legionary Crossbowmen
Legionary Spearmen
Mounted Legionaries
Legionary Battlemages (as the mages guarding the Arcane University in Oblivion)
Palace Guards (the guys in white armor)
Palace Guard Bowmen
Blades (with shield and katana)
Blade Swordmasters (with twohanded dai-katana)
Mounted Blades
Riders of Kvatch (only accessible after Kvatch is totally rebuilt, equipped as Savlian Matius)
Order Knights (Knights of various orders)
If you lose the Great War you get the Penitus Oculatus instead of the Blades
Morrowind:
Swordsmen (basic swordsmen on militia level)
Militia (crossbowmen)
City Guard (pikes)
Hlaalu Guards (heavy swordsmen)
Redoraan Guard (spearmen)
Telvanni Guard (twohanded swords)
Dres Guard (light infantry)
Indoril Guard (bowmen)
Ashlander Cavalry (mounted bowmen)
Telvanni Mages
Battlemages
Morag Tong (can hide anywhere)
Knights (heavy cavalry, resembling various great houses)
Dismounted Ashlanders (bows)
Ordinators
High Ordinators
King's Guard
Valenwood:
Militia (bowmen)
Spearmen
Light Swordsmen
Woodcutters (twohanded axes; humans being paid for cutting wood (or men), as the Bosmer are not allowed to)
Forest Riders (mounted bowmen)
skirmishers (javelins)
Clan Warriors (bowmen)
Clan Axemen (heavy axes)
Big Game Hunters (pikes for hunting really big game)
Wood Warriors (twohanded swords, but light and fast)
Forest Singers (mages)
Palace Guards (heavy infantry)
Woodheart Guards (halberdiers)
Rangers (bowmen)
The Wild Hunt
Elsweyr:
-Do'Suthay (militia level)
-Qa'Suthay (bowmen)
-Do'Ohmes (light infantry, stronger than Suthay)
-Dar'Suthay-raht (light infantry)
-Do'Cathay (light infantry very good at hiding)
-Qa'Cathay (bowmen)
-Do'Cathay-raht (as Do'Cathay but stronger)
-Qa'Cathay-raht (bowmen capable in melee)
-Do'Senche (ridden tigerlike Khajiit)
-Do'Senche-raht (even bigger ridden tigerlike Khajiit; among the best of cavalry in the game)
-Pahmar (like tigers, unmounted)
-Jo'Dagi-raht (quite small mages good at hiding)
-Jo'Dagi (stronger mages, even smaller)
-Do'Cathay-raht'Dro (bodyguards, heavy infantry)
-Ahzirr Traajijazeri (among the findest of light infantry, only recruitable near Leyawiin)
Skyrim:
Scouts (light infantry, weak)
shortsword youngmen (not sure if the translation is correct, but it should say everything. Militia level swordmen)
Gamekeepers (javelins)
Archer Scouts (militia level bowmen)
Skald Apprentices (Thu'um; they haven't mastered the Thu'um yet but they can use some basic words)
Axemen (do I need to specify them?
Barbarians (twohanded axes)
Raiders (light inantry with axes)
Long House Militia (fair spearmen)
Long House Guards (crossbowmen)
Skalds (Thu'um; these are not supposed to be the Greybeards, but some Nord that have studied at High Hrothgar)
Mountain Hunters (elite bowmen)
Windhelm Guards (elite halberdiers)
Whiterun Soldiers (elite heavy infantry)
Axe Riders (rmounted axemen)
Bjoulsae Riders (mounted bowmen)
Iceblood Berserkers (elite axemen)
Empire ideas for more units:
Fighters Guild Mercenaries. (professional heavy infantry and heavy archers)
It is possible to give Skingrad its own small army, much like Dol Amroth in the Third Age mod.
A shame. :(
Why are the Bretons suddenly punks now? I know they like getting conquered in the past, but what's to stop them from learning from their mistakes. Also Bretons are possibly the worst opponent for the The Third Dominion to go up against. I also think that Humans would find a way to unite against the Dominion. Maybe through diplomacy or conquest. They will unite.
Also, Alduin, if they attack High Rock the Empire forces will spend some time getting there and they will have to pass through the desert to reach High Rock. By that time the Dominion will have the Iliac Bay closed with their navy and the mountain passes closed with their military.