Ala Mhigo wasn't necessarily an army consisting entirely of Monks, further it seems their military powers were fractions within themselves sort of like Ul'dah with the Flames and Blades. It's very likely that the Monks there were more like the Sultan sworn in number and alleged skill. A formidable force for certain but contributing to military might as a major asset, I'd be skeptical. They were an aggressive nation and did unite the three city states against them during the Autumn war, but that doesn't mean to say that they may have only been a sufficient military might to crush a single city, clearly not three, quite possibly not even two. It is also likely the loss of the Autumn War set them back quite a bit.
The fact that they were taken over by the Garlean Empire was a flag to the City States that a threat at least powerful enough to take them out individually was approaching. When they formed their coalition it is unlikely they really grasped how strong the Empire was.
As for Ishgard, there is text already that indicates their military's weakness to non-Draconian combat. Which means their might is probably not based upon numbers only but their tactics, fortifications, and specialized weaponry against Dragons. It also seems to imply that Dragoon techniques really aren't meant for open war.
As I recall the PVP scenario for the Flats is representative of a stalemate conflict between the three military's. I figure despite their various advantages and disadvantages with that area being a described stand off, their military strengths despite their obvious flaws and merits, are quite close to being the same.
The fact that they were taken over by the Garlean Empire was a flag to the City States that a threat at least powerful enough to take them out individually was approaching. When they formed their coalition it is unlikely they really grasped how strong the Empire was.
As for Ishgard, there is text already that indicates their military's weakness to non-Draconian combat. Which means their might is probably not based upon numbers only but their tactics, fortifications, and specialized weaponry against Dragons. It also seems to imply that Dragoon techniques really aren't meant for open war.
As I recall the PVP scenario for the Flats is representative of a stalemate conflict between the three military's. I figure despite their various advantages and disadvantages with that area being a described stand off, their military strengths despite their obvious flaws and merits, are quite close to being the same.
