So if this is a war strictly between Limsa, Gridania, and Ul'dah I believe Limsa Lominsa would win hands down.
Gridania owns the second largest reserve of natural resources with which to sustain themselves throughout a long siege, however, they cannot take in excess. Excess would be needed in war time. We have lore evidence that Gridania's military might is actually quite formidable. A hundred years ago during the Autumn War, Gridania alone was able to repel the might of Ala Mhigo (a nation that eventually took the combined might of Gridania, Ishgard, Ul'dah, and Limsa to defeat) UNTIL their general died and they got a new guy who was a total idiot and cost them the war. Hence the other four nations stepping in to help repel Ala Mhigo.
But all of this military might is irrelevant today because Garlemald exposed a pivotal weakness before the Calamity. The Elementals. Sure, the Elementals defend the Twelveswood, but when angered, the Elementals kill indiscriminately. If Ul'dah were to antagonize the Elementals with isolated forest fires and damaging Hedge Trees, the Elementals would wipe out the Gridanians. This kind of thing has happened twice in Gridania's History. (See: Shadow of the Raven and Beckon of the Elementals )
Ul'dah does have perhaps the most formidable land-based military might and defenses, however, they are ultimately doomed by their lack of resources. Namely, food. According to lore, Ul'dah actually IMPORTS everything short of minerals/jewels. Textiles, fruits/vegetables, lumber, and raw materials for medicinal salves all are imported from Gridania. Iron, steel, fish, and imports from across The Five Seas all come via Limsa Lominsa. The only thing Ul'dah actually controls harvesting and production on is gemstones and ceruleum. (The only use Eorzea has for Ceruleum is for powering their airships.) Also, as was pointed out earlier in the thread, Ul'dah only water source lies outside the city. With absolutely 0 imports from other nations coming in and their only water source lying outside the protective walls, I believe Ul'dah would crumble both financially and physically under the might of a blockade.
This leaves Limsa. They have 14 Squadrons of war-ready vessels patrolling every body of water in and around Eorzea, and even some beyond Eorzea. They have an unlimited source of Food supply via the seas, and Naldiq & Vymelli's mass produces both war machines and infrastructure for their nation. Besides being untouchable by the other two nations because of their complete control over maritime travel, they also have full control over all goods being exported from other nations into Eorzea. In a head to head battle with Ul'dah, I would not see them coming out on top, but simply by drying out Ul'dah's supplies, Limsa would achieve victory.
If we brought Ishgard into the mix, they would support Gridania without a moments hesitation. The two nations are very close allies even after Ishgard shut its gates. With the combined forces of Ishgardian Knights with the Wood Wailers and Godsquivermen I can see Gridania/Ishgard being able to crush Ul'dah in a land-to-land battle. Especially after Ul'dah was crippled by Limsa's embargo of all imports. Having the biggest military means very little if they're all starved to death.
But then, of course, Garlemald would leap with joy and invade Eorzea and wipe out everyone and finally slaughter the beast tribes and their primals. All the while destitute Ala Mhigans are standing there facepalming.
Gridania owns the second largest reserve of natural resources with which to sustain themselves throughout a long siege, however, they cannot take in excess. Excess would be needed in war time. We have lore evidence that Gridania's military might is actually quite formidable. A hundred years ago during the Autumn War, Gridania alone was able to repel the might of Ala Mhigo (a nation that eventually took the combined might of Gridania, Ishgard, Ul'dah, and Limsa to defeat) UNTIL their general died and they got a new guy who was a total idiot and cost them the war. Hence the other four nations stepping in to help repel Ala Mhigo.
But all of this military might is irrelevant today because Garlemald exposed a pivotal weakness before the Calamity. The Elementals. Sure, the Elementals defend the Twelveswood, but when angered, the Elementals kill indiscriminately. If Ul'dah were to antagonize the Elementals with isolated forest fires and damaging Hedge Trees, the Elementals would wipe out the Gridanians. This kind of thing has happened twice in Gridania's History. (See: Shadow of the Raven and Beckon of the Elementals )
Ul'dah does have perhaps the most formidable land-based military might and defenses, however, they are ultimately doomed by their lack of resources. Namely, food. According to lore, Ul'dah actually IMPORTS everything short of minerals/jewels. Textiles, fruits/vegetables, lumber, and raw materials for medicinal salves all are imported from Gridania. Iron, steel, fish, and imports from across The Five Seas all come via Limsa Lominsa. The only thing Ul'dah actually controls harvesting and production on is gemstones and ceruleum. (The only use Eorzea has for Ceruleum is for powering their airships.) Also, as was pointed out earlier in the thread, Ul'dah only water source lies outside the city. With absolutely 0 imports from other nations coming in and their only water source lying outside the protective walls, I believe Ul'dah would crumble both financially and physically under the might of a blockade.
This leaves Limsa. They have 14 Squadrons of war-ready vessels patrolling every body of water in and around Eorzea, and even some beyond Eorzea. They have an unlimited source of Food supply via the seas, and Naldiq & Vymelli's mass produces both war machines and infrastructure for their nation. Besides being untouchable by the other two nations because of their complete control over maritime travel, they also have full control over all goods being exported from other nations into Eorzea. In a head to head battle with Ul'dah, I would not see them coming out on top, but simply by drying out Ul'dah's supplies, Limsa would achieve victory.
If we brought Ishgard into the mix, they would support Gridania without a moments hesitation. The two nations are very close allies even after Ishgard shut its gates. With the combined forces of Ishgardian Knights with the Wood Wailers and Godsquivermen I can see Gridania/Ishgard being able to crush Ul'dah in a land-to-land battle. Especially after Ul'dah was crippled by Limsa's embargo of all imports. Having the biggest military means very little if they're all starved to death.
But then, of course, Garlemald would leap with joy and invade Eorzea and wipe out everyone and finally slaughter the beast tribes and their primals. All the while destitute Ala Mhigans are standing there facepalming.
