The Elites were at a MASSIVE disadvantage in the war , period!
Everything had a role in wars , terrain , strategy , weapons , tactical superiority and coordination. However the biggest thing needed in a war was numbers.
Against an army of 100,000 strong , 100 men cannot last long against them in any sort of open confrontation.
The only example in history when 300 men toppled an army being outnumbered by thousands was the spartan war of 300 against the Persians.
However that was because they held a small passage where the numerical superiority of the enemy had no advantage , except that it was draining on stamina.
However history was mans best teacher and Rudra had learned a lot from the battle of 300 . He thoroughly understood that he needed a great equalizer to negate the enemies overwhelming numerical superiority.