Arimaa/Elephant and Minor Piece Attacks/Objectives and Risks

Reasons to use an Elephant and Minor Piece Attack

to capture enemy pieces in a trap that is defended only by weak pieces such as Cats and Rabbits
to create a counter-attack when the Camel and Horses are under attack on the opposite wing
to generate goal threats in the endgame
to facilitate the hostage-taking of a strong defender
to allow attacking opportunities for Horses and Camels by distracting the enemy Elephant
because all the Horses and Camels have been exchanged off the board
to blockade the enemy position (see chapter on Multiple Piece Swarming Attacks)

multiple weak attackers may be taken hostage or framed
if the Elephant is forced to move to another quadrant, pieces may be trapped
the home trap defense may be seriously weakened and the goal defense may be compromised
hostage-taking attempts decentralize the attacking Elephant
the attacking side may not be able to hold the crucial b6 square
an Elephant and Rabbit Attack is likely to result in the Rabbit being framed on the c6 square, unless the trap is defended only by Rabbits