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The question of whether one should join the Imperials or the Stormcloaks is something Skyrim players have been wrangling with ever since its release more than a decade ago. The Imperials are, of course, the faction that was nearly responsible for the player's execution. The Stormcloaks, though less bureaucratic, have taken plenty of morally-ambiguous actions too.
At the end of the Civil War questline in Skyrim, players either free Skyrim from Imperial rule or re-establish the Empire's power in the Nordic province by taking out Ulfric. Though plenty of diehard fans on both sides fervently defend their chosen alliance, both Imperials and Stormcloaks have as many upsides as downsides.
Updated June 30, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: Sometimes, the choices players make in games are more nuanced than they might seem at first. The choice between whether to join Stormcloaks or Imperials in the civil war questline of Skyrim is one many players struggle with, as it essentially locks players out of an entire half of the game (if they progress past a certain point). The age-old question of which of the two factions, Imperials vs. Stormcloaks, is better depends on a lot of factors. Continue to find the pros and cons of joining Stormcloaks or Imperials both, as well as what happens when you don't choose a side in Skyrim.
Why Should I Join The Empire?
The Empire is More Inclusive
The Empire stretches across Tamriel, encompassing many areas of influence spread throughout the various cultures of the continent. For as many issues as the bureaucratic Imperials have, they are more accepting of non-human races than most thanks to this blending of cultures, a diversity that is reflected in the Legion's ranks.
The Empire is Able To Take On The Aldmeri Dominion
While the Civil War is the focal point for major conflicts throughout Skyrim, the Stormcloaks aren't the only imminent threat facing the Empire. The White-Gold Concordat was only signed as a temporary peace treaty between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, and as soon as the agreement ends, the Great War of the Fourth Era will resume. Taking Skyrim back for the Empire presents a more unified front against the Elven aggressors.
You Don't Have To Attack Whiterun
Quests and stories play a major role in Elder Scrolls games as they fundamentally shape the player's experience, especially when their choices have meaningful outcomes. Both Stormcloak and Imperial questlines are based around taking back areas the other faction controls, eventually leading to a final confrontation in either Solitude or Windhelm.
When it comes to the storyline and quests presented to players, it's a toss-up. Imperials eek ahead, though, because they don't force players to attack Whiterun, arguably the most beloved city in Skyrim or any Elder Scrolls game.
Downsides of the Imperials
Bureaucracy Can Be Uncaring
There are several moments throughout Skyrim when the question of whether to choose Stormcloak or Imperial is much easier to make – because the player's head, or the head of an innocent person, is on the chopping block.
At the very beginning of the game, it's the Imperials who don't check the list to make sure the player's name is on there (it's not), and it's the Imperials who were moments away from executing the Dragonborn themself. Later on, in Solitude, an innocent man is executed in the public town square – a brutal juxtaposition that became a beheading within safe city walls.
Imperials Lack Personality In More Ways Than One
While Stormcloak cities tend to be located in beautiful areas of the world, Imperial cities are a marvel to look at in their own way. Solitude is the shining example of this, being the Empire's major foothold in the province, though other Imperial-controlled settlements also feature its same attention to architecture, use of space, and grandeur (even in a smaller sense). It gets to feel a bit samey after a while, and the Empire's sense of fashion is a bit unimpressive, too.
The problem with Imperial design is that it lacks personality. The Empire designs settlements and equipment for a purpose with little thought given to aesthetics. Their architecture is certainly advanced, but it's nowhere near as impressive as the tar pits south of Windhelm or the misty natural beauty surrounding Riften.
Why Should I Join The Stormcloaks?
More Interesting/Unique Characters
While the Imperial Legion doesn't force players to kill Jarl Balgruuf, their leadership and important NPCs are far from the most interesting in the Elder Scrolls games. General Tullius and the rest of the upper echelons of the Legion are one-sided military types, while the Stormcloak leadership is rife with interesting and unique characterization and lore.
It's hard to forget the raspy, terrifying voice and mannerisms of the warrior Galmar Stone-Fist, and Yrsarald Thrice-Pierced is as mysterious as he is imposing.
Aesthetics and Setting
When it comes to the pure aesthetics of their settings, the Stormcloaks have the upper hand, generally. Their cities, towns, and major settlements are all built into mountains and surrounded by wilderness, whether it's as harsh as Windhelm's biting blizzards or as refreshing as Riften's peaceful waters.
Ulfric's Ambition Isn't Without Cause
Ulfric Stormcloak himself is a flawed character, to be certain, but after reading the Thalmor Dossier on his torture, which can be found in the Thalmor Embassy quest, one can begin to understand his complex feelings towards the Empire.
Though his methods may be questionable, and his lack of respect for Elven and bestial races bothersome, his ultimate goal isn't unjustified, given his perspective and experiences.
Downsides of the Stormcloaks
Intolerance Towards Non-Nords
The Stormcloaks, however, seem to have it out for just about any race that isn't a Nord. While their attitudes towards Elves are understandable, they see Imperials and Bretons as lesser races of man, and as such have a fighting force almost entirely made up of Nords. Depending on your character's race, it makes more lore sense to join one faction over the other.
Lack of Order
A major downside of Stormcloak settlements is the relative lack of the Rule of Law and the lack of authoritative order to control the citizens. Riften is a good example of how a Stormcloak city can fall into disarray and downtroddenness.
Compared to an average Imperial city or town, Riften is lacking a sense of order. However, it is also because of this that the people feel more raw, a realistic portrayal of the ways people adapt to the harsh environments typical for Stormcloak territory.
Unable To Fight Larger Threats
The terms of the White-Gold Concordat, specifically the ban on Talos worship, were the spark that ignited the Stormcloak Rebellion. However, if the Stormcloaks win the Civil War and take over Skyrim, they will be woefully unprepared to take on a force as organized and overwhelming as the Aldmeri Dominion.
A rabble of motivated Nords is nothing compared to the overwhelming power the Aldmeri Dominion represents – and some argue that the Aldmeri actually goaded the Stormcloaks into starting a Civil War to make it easier to capture the territory for themselves.
What If You Don't Choose Stormcloaks or Imperials?
Because Skyrim encourages players to make their own way however they wish to, it's perfectly feasible to beat the game without ever choosing between the Skyrim Stormcloaks or Imperials. It's possible to skip this questline, which is technically a side quest, in your pursuit of Alduin.
The world will act as though the war is still going on, and neither side will make advances on the other until the player reaches the negotiation table segment of the main quest. Here players choose the means of settling a temporary peace treaty between both sides, but it can be easier to make choices here if the Dragonborn has no stake in either side's claim.
There aren't many other repercussions of not choosing between Stormcloaks or Imperials except for losing out on each side's unique armors and other quest rewards. With the Special Edition installed, there are some pretty neat armors to be found in both factions, so be sure to choose a side eventually or miss out on an entire branch of Skyrim's story.
So, Should You Pick The Imperials Or The Stormcloaks?
Ultimately the choice to go with the Imperials or the Stormcloaks is a personal one that depends on the direction you want to take your character. Nord characters will find a home among the Stormcloaks, as long as they agree with their point of view on the Empire. Other races will find Imperials welcoming them with open arms, provided they yield some power to the Empire.
- Pick Imperial if you want to play a character who is originally from a place aside from Skyrim, as it doesn't make sense to fight under a banner that ultimately won't accept you.
- Pick Stormcloak if you believe the Empire has no right to say what Skyrim denizens can and can't do, especially if you are a Nord.
If you play a High Elf, it is actually lore-accurate to join the Stormcloak Rebellion, as several Thalmor documents imply that they favor the Stormcloaks in their attempts to oust the Empire (and thus give the Aldmeri Dominion a stronger chance to take over the province later on).
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S