Is it Better to Keep with Hadvar or Ralof?
In the world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players are faced with a crucial decision within the first few hours of gameplay. The village of Helgen is under Imperial attack, and the player must choose which company to join: the Imperial Legion alongside Hadvar or the Stormcloak rebels with Ralof. This choice has significant consequences, extending beyond the initial quest and affecting your journey throughout the game. In this article, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of each option, helping you make an informed decision.
Initial Consequences
Hadvar: Imperial Legion
- Good starting equipment: Hadvar starts you off with a decent set of Light Armor and a few useful inventory items.
- Imperial Questline: Joining the Imperial Legion sets you on a quest to help Captain Farkas and Ulfric Stormcloak, which progresses the main storyline.
- Limited NPC interactions: As an Imperial agent, you’ll have limited interactions with factions like the Stormcloaks and eventually the Thieves Guild.
Ralof: Stormcloak
- Improved combat skills: Ralof emphasizes combat training, making you a proficient fighter from the start.
- Stormcloak Questline: His questline involves helping rally the Stormcloaks and eventually invading Whiterun, stirring up conflict in the region.
- Alternative NPC interactions: As a Rebel, you’ll have more opportunities for diverse NPC interactions, including those tied to the Stormcloak faction and plot.
**Long-term Consequences
Hadvar and Imperial Legion
- Mainstream Questline: The Imperial Legion brings you into the main storyline with a focus on stopping the Thieves Guild and dealing with the Empire.
- Limited faction opportunities: Your imperial affiliation limits interactions with other prominent factions, such as the College of Winterhold and the Dark Brotherhood.
- Unlocked locations: Join the Emperor’s forces to gain access to most Imperial-controlled areas, including parts of Skyrim and the Imperialcapital, Solitude.
Ralof and Stormcloak
- Civil War Questline: Taking the Stormcloak path, which includes the invasion of Whiterun.
- More faction opportunities: As an outlaw, you’ll have more interactions, quests, and factions to explore among the Stormcloaks, Thalmor, and other rebel-linked organizations.
- New locations are accessible: Join the rebellion to gain full access to Stormcloak-controlled areas such as Windhelm, Riften, and the Stormcloak stronghold Stormfang.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between following Hadvar or Ralof depends on your playstyle and preferences. By joining the Imperial Legion, you’d gain a more traditional Elder Scrolls’ Main Quest experience, focusing on high-stakes politics and adventure. On the flip side, choosing the Stormcloak camp opens up more faction opportunities for diverse storylines and gameplay varieties.
Here’s a summary of the tables:
| Option | Initial Consequences | Long-term Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Hadvar | Good starting equipment, join Imperial Questline, limited NPC… | Mainstream Questline, limited fraction opportunities, unlocked locations |
| …interactions. | ||
| Ralof, | Improved combat skills, join stormcloak Questline, alternative… | Civil War Questline, varied faction opportunities, new locations accessible |
| …NPC interations. |
Before closing, it’s essential to remember a crucial aspect: you can romance both Hadvar and Ralof. Yes, marriage and romance options are available along the way, adding their own unique storylines and character ties.
Now that you have a better understand of the pros and cons, make up your mind: Will you join Hadvar and the Imperial forces, or Ralof and his Stormcloak rebellion?