Imperials or Stormcloaks? Who Should I Join?

[_Kingszx_]

Alright so before starting this Forum, I would like to say that I have only completed my first playthrough a few days ago and I may not have all the knowledge to know about this decision, but so far, here are the pros and cons between them both

IMPERIALS

Pros
-They want to rule over Skyrim in fair equity I guess... (no racism?)
-They make sure justice is enforced everywhere I guess

Cons
-If you were framed by someone and the Imperials caught you, you're dead (as shown in the beginning as the Dragonborn isn't in the list, but he goes to the block anyway)
-They forbid the worship of Talos

STORMCLOAKS

Pros
-They want to rule Skyrim with fair worship on whoever they want to worship (Worship who you want)

Cons
-A bit racist, because from what I've seen, they prefer Nords over others...
-Ulfric didn't really fight Torygg in fair combat as he used a Thu'um... This caused him to get the upper hand. This means his statement isn't valid

Anyway I want to know your suggestions on which side I should pick. Also, if I'm wrong on any info, just say and I'll be sure to change it. Thanks guys

[Noah]

Imperials, ulfric started a needless war that does nothing but weaken skyrim for the thalmor.

[jreese46]

Originally posted by No:

Imperials, ulfric started a needless war that does nothing but weaken skyrim for the thalmor.

The empire is actively permitting the thalmor to roam Skyrim, arrest, torture, and murder citizens, with impunity. How does one weaken that?

With regard to the OP's question, the game is designed in such a way that one side is very much like the other. Play whichever you want now, then play the other next time.

[Zephyr]

My thoughts are that if the Stormcloaks win, then the Thalmor can take Skyrim as it isn't strong with the Empire, even though the Empire is weakened. IMO the Empire needs all they can get to beat the Thalmor.

[fauxpas]

Well, considering that you dont own Skyrim I suppose its unfair to expect you to have an actual grasp on the nature of this question.


However the answer is simply this; if you value honor and tradition above all else, side with the Imperials, and if you value freedom and valor above all else, side with the Stormcloaks.


The "racism " nonsense is just that, nonsense that only survives because people aren't willing to look at actual facts.


The Thalmor angle is also largely moot, as both sides hate the mer with a passion, and as soon as the true villian of the White/Gold dies (Meede) there will be a reckoning, and likewise, Hammerfell has shown that the AD was reduced to a paper tiger by the losses they took during the Great War.


Hmm, let's see, a "fair fight"? The Thuum is the expression of divinity itself, learnable by everyone willing to, and the boy's weakness of character reflects poorly on his honor, not Ulfric's in that duel. ... Besides, you've missed the point of the shout; everyone understands that Ulfric would have won that duel with or without shouting as he is a grizzled veteran and the "high king" a pampered boy. The shout was used as a display of strength and to drive home the fact that Nords have lost themselves by allowing unworthy children to rule.

[fauxpas]

Originally posted by Rain:

My thoughts are that if the Stormcloaks win, then the Thalmor can take Skyrim as it isn't strong with the Empire, even though the Empire is weakened. IMO the Empire needs all they can get to beat the Thalmor.

Hammerfell says hi!

Seriously, Hammerfell is both easier for the AD to invade then Skyrim is, and was the original target of the AD in the Great War.

But yet Hammerfell has proven that the AD is unable to win against even a single providence that is willing to actually stand and fight for thier freedom.

[fauxpas]

Originally posted by jreese46:

Originally posted by No:

Imperials, ulfric started a needless war that does nothing but weaken skyrim for the thalmor.

The empire is actively permitting the thalmor to roam Skyrim, arrest, torture, and murder citizens, with impunity. How does one weaken that?

With regard to the OP's question, the game is designed in such a way that one side is very much like the other. Play whichever you want now, then play the other next time.

You forgot the worst part, this is all happening thirty years after the Great War, after the Enprire has had an entire generation to rebuild.


The sad thing is, the entire Civil War questline would make alot more sense if the game was set a few years after the Great War and the Empire's weakness understandable, but just like they did in the FO universe, Beth has this need to advance the timeline even when doing so hurts the story.

[Kobi Blade]

Originally posted by fauxpas:

Originally posted by Kobi Blade:

Stormcloaks they have the right to defend their homeland.

Imperials pretty much invaded Skyrim while bending to the Thalmor, enforcing their views on a foreign land.

Stormcloaks are racist for a good reason, if someone invaded your country and tried to shift your culture by force, I doubt you would be happy with any outsiders.

How fauxpas can talk of tradition while siding with the Imperials is beyond me, since Skyrim doesn't belong to the Imperials in the first place and they discredit and dismiss all of Skyrim legends and histories.

Imperials remind me of Americans.

As usual, you are an idiot Kobi; the Empire was founded by Nords, for Nords, and although the Imperials have lost thier way since the death of thier Dragonblooded Emperors, and are currently being ruled by a coward who literally laid down his sword and surrendered in his victory; they still carry the Nordic flame within thier hearts, all they need is a good luck in the arse to reawaken it.

The Imperials are from Cyrodiil, the Skyrim Imperial branch is comprised mostly by Nords due to the fact it's in Skyrim.

Even the General is native from Cyrodiil for a good reason.

Plus since you rather act rude, instead of acting like a man, I'll be ignoring any further replies from you.

[Sgt.Random♿]

Down with imperialist scum, and imperialism in general.

Never, and I mean never, side with the empire. They are weak fools and they are only digging their grave.

[galacticcorgi]

A "bit" racist. I mean, they force Argonians to live outside the city and never come in, but sure do exploit their labor. Also, they treat anyone not a Nord like crap regularly. You literally enter Stormcloak Central to a guy threatening Dunmer who don't want to get involved because they're treated like crap and it's not their fight.

Also, you realize you're not on the list because you were caught crossing the border illegally, not that you were FRAMED, right?

[Sgt.Random♿]

Originally posted by Anakha:

A "bit" racist. I mean, they force Argonians to live outside the city and never come in, but sure do exploit their labor. Also, they treat anyone not a Nord like crap regularly. You literally enter Stormcloak Central to a guy threatening Dunmer who don't want to get involved because they're treated like crap and it's not their fight.

Also, you realize you're not on the list because you were caught crossing the border illegally, not that you were FRAMED, right?

And those dunmer turned out to actually be imperial aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagents.

[Ultimate Anime GF]

All I know is that after I took Solitude with Ulfric & Co. I saw no more Thalmor patrols anywhere, at all. I then started a different character, and some time after siding with the Legion I found myself on a back-road in northern Haafingar, and passed yet another trio of Thalmor escorting yet another Nord to Northwatch Keep or their embassy or wherever to get his fingers ripped off or gods know what else. A few minutes later I arrived at Fort Hraggstad and heard a fellow legionnaire say, "What the Rebels like to forget is that the Empire's what's keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim." Really says it all.

Originally posted by Anakha:

A "bit" racist. I mean, they force Argonians to live outside the city and never come in, but sure do exploit their labor. Also, they treat anyone not a Nord like crap regularly. You literally enter Stormcloak Central to a guy threatening Dunmer who don't want to get involved because they're treated like crap and it's not their fight.

A quick look at (recent) Argonian and Dunmer history makes the antics of Ulfric & Co. towards those two groups look very tame by comparison. As I've said elsewhere, the whole "Racist Stormcloaks" angle, as rendered in the released game(s), comes off as really lame and half-hearted unless one has an abnormal sensitivity to that sort of thing. I especially love the types who are completely fine with joining a gang of nihilistic professional murderers, or a court of undead cannibalistic slave-owners, but are mortified at the prospect of siding with Nord nativists who aren't keen on continuing to be battle-thralls for an Empire that is proving less and less capable of holding itself together. I mean, I'm supposed to think well of Ysgrammor and Pelinal White-Strake even though they both tried to kill/enslave literally every elf they encountered, but Ulfric & Co. being rude and unfair to Dunmer and barring their shipyard's reptilian grunt labor from entering the city proper is a moral catastrophe?

[alexander_dougherty]

Do several playthroughs and play both sides, it's the only way to know how deeply flawed both sides are.

[lupus_hegemonia]

I'm Greek and we generally don't like imperialism and dictatorships, so OBVIOUSLY I'm always joining the Rebel Storkcloaks.

[Ihateeverybody]

Honestly I would just stay out of both. It's none of your concern.

Easiest way to solve the Thalmor problem is submit to them. Then they are in charge and then THEY have to deal with the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that is Government. They ain't going to destroy the world. They don't have the right forms. They sure as heck ain't going to get the funding through the Elder Council.

[Grantorino]

I like the imperials but why would you join the generel who tried to excecute you? I'd stay out of it if youre not playing an imperial or nord. Redguard dont belong in no nord army 😂😂