Okay, so you’ve survived the chopping block, a dragon has torn up Helgen, and now everybody wants you to pick a team… no pressure, but this is one of the biggest choices in Skyrim. Let’s walk through this together.
Honestly, there’s no wrong answer here. Both sides have real upsides and real baggage, so you just need the one that fits your character.
The Big Picture: What You’re Actually Choosing
The Civil War questline splits Skyrim down the middle. The Imperial Legion, led by General Tullius, wants to keep Skyrim inside the Empire. The Stormcloaks, led by Ulfric, want to break away and make Skyrim its own kingdom.
Once you get far enough into one side, you’re locked out of the other half of the questline. That’s why it’s worth a little thinking before you commit.
- The Vibe (Imperials): Organized, bureaucratic, and pretty diverse. The Empire stretches across all of Tamriel, so the Legion is more accepting of non-human races than most.
- The Vibe (Stormcloaks): Rugged, proud, and fiercely Nord. The big pitch is that Skyrim belongs to the Nords, and that includes the freedom to worship Talos.
- The Catch (Imperials): This is the same Empire that nearly had you executed. It also signed the White-Gold Concordat, which banned Talos worship.
- The Catch (Stormcloaks): Plenty of players point out that many Stormcloak soldiers hold harsh views about non-Nords. Ulfric’s methods get morally murky, too.
- The Gear: Imperial armor and weapons are generally higher quality, and many players think they simply look better than the Stormcloaks’ cheap-looking gambesons.
How to Pick Your Side, Step by Step
If you’re just starting out, don’t stress about getting this perfect. Run through these steps and see where you land.
- Step 1: Check Your Character’s Backstory. If your character comes from somewhere other than Skyrim, the Imperials make more sense. It’s a little odd to fight under a banner that ultimately won’t accept you. (Pro tip: Orcs and Imperials in particular will find the Stormcloak ranks a chilly place to climb.)
- Step 2: Ask What You Believe About the Empire. If you think the Empire has no right to tell Nords how to live, the Stormcloaks are your crew. If you value law, trade, and stability, the Legion fits better.
- Step 3: Think About the Bigger Threat. The White-Gold Concordat ended the Great War, but many characters see it as an uneasy truce, and a second war with the Aldmeri Dominion looks likely. Plenty of players argue the Imperials are the better long-term pick for exactly that reason.
- Step 4: Weigh the Religion Question. The Stormcloaks stand for freedom of worship, Talos included. The Empire’s position is more complicated, so decide how much that matters to your roleplay.
- Step 5: Consider Your Style. Do you want polished Legion plate or rugged fur-and-leather Stormcloak gear? It’s a small thing, but it’s your character, so go with what feels right.
- Step 6: Commit and Start the Questline. Head to Legate Rikke in Solitude to join the Legion, or to Galmar Stone-Fist in Windhelm to join the Stormcloaks. You’ve got this.
The Payoff: What Each Side Gets You
Both paths end with a big, satisfying conclusion to the war. Here’s what the finish looks like.
- Imperial Victory: You take out Ulfric and re-establish the Empire’s power in Skyrim. Think law, order, and a province that stays in the Empire’s fold.
- Stormcloak Victory: You free Skyrim from Imperial rule. Ulfric takes his place as High King, which is a pretty big moment for a Nord-pride roleplay.
- Whiterun’s Fate: The city is a major prize in the war, and its leadership changes depending on who takes it. If you go Stormcloak, Jarl Balgruuf is replaced by Vignar Gray-Mane.
- No Double-Dipping: You can’t fight for both sides. Once you’re committed, the opposing questline is closed off for that playthrough.
Pro Tips for Choosing Without Regret
- Save Before You Commit: Make a manual save before you speak to Rikke or Galmar. (Pro tip: Keep it around, so you can peek at the other side later without starting over.)
- No Stress: Don’t worry if you pick wrong. Skyrim is built for replays, and the other half of the questline will still be waiting on your next character.
- Skipping the War: You don’t have to join anyone. If you stay out, the conflict keeps simmering in the background while you chase dragons, guild quests, and everything else. You’ll just miss the faction content on both sides.
- Roleplay First: Think about who your character is before you think about who’s “best.” The most memorable playthroughs usually come from picking the side that fits the story you’re telling.
- Don’t Rush It: Wander through Windhelm and Solitude and listen to what the locals say. The tone of each city can help you decide.
Why This Choice Matters
Here’s the thing: this decision has kept players debating for more than a decade, and that’s a big part of what makes Skyrim special. It’s a rare game that gives you a real question and trusts you to answer it your own way.
Honestly, the best choice is the one that makes your character feel real to you. Take your time, make a backup save, and enjoy the ride.
So which banner are you flying: the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks? Drop your pick and your character’s backstory in the comments, and let’s compare notes.
