Ranking Every Faction In Skyrim

[@jackieboyborden]

The worst thing about the civil war is that nothing changes in the world when its over. It kind of ruins the setting a little.

[@masterneloth]

I wouldn’t say that, a lot of things change with the leaders and guards, and even certain npc dialogues in Windhelm, Solitude, and Whiterun!

[@Reallytallsocks]

The best part of the Civil War is the Thalmor being booted out of civilized society after you crush the empire.

[@GnosticAtheist]

Doesnt ruin anything for me, but thats because I very rarely do it. Do I want racist nords or people who wanted to kill me for no reason to rule? How about neither? I did it once when playing a nord, joined the empire for the lols. Was ok.

[@f16airforce]

Stormcloaks are really only justifiable if you’re a human race I dont understand the reasoning if you are a beast race lol

[@GnosticAtheist]

@@f16airforce Depends what you mean by beast race. Elves are closer to the divine than humans are, lorewise. Granted, only the Altmer takes this to mean they are superior in the time of Skyrim. Indeed, not only do they think they are superior, they are superior in warfare and keep the empire in line. As for the beast lookalike races they will join if they have the incentive to; human history is filled with people working for colonizers that think they are superior. Hardship is usually key to these things. If someone has a hard life and relative security is available under racist rules many will still chose that as an alternative to seeing their young die from the elements or starvation.

[@prodbyANT]

Heard they're reforming the Dawnguard. Vampire hunters or something, in the old fort near Riften.

[@davidlz830]

Might consider joining up myself.

[@nuancedgaming]

@@davidlz830 I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.

[@yvngkio]

​@@nuancedgamingCome to think of it, I might be the dragonborn, I just don't know it yet

[@pasbaf]

​@Samadeezz my cousin is out there fighting dragons and what do l get, guard duty

[@joypink5599]

Let me guess… someone stole your sweetroll.

[@alt-f4]

I forgot the bard's college was considered a faction💀

[@mooc422]

Yeah, the only good thing I enjoyed about the college of bards was when you try to rewrite king olafs verse

[@azertytores]

​@@mooc422Same

[@paulhinterberger7438]

I forgot the bard's college existed 💀

[@Gol_D_Rog3r]

Ive played skyrim since its release and ive never done that questline

[@all6dar703]

​@@paulhinterberger7438 i forgor

[@Kirokill1]

In defence of the companions, only Skjor and Aela tell you you have to take the gift to join them. The two who love being a werewolf.

[@noahhamel6689]

It would have been cool to have a scene where Skjor and Aela are trying to get you to become a werewolf while Vilkas and Kodlak are saying to not go through with it as it’s not worth it. It would have made the faction better so that you don’t have to be a werewolf to see the silver bloods as the enemy just that you are loyal to the companions.

[@abdalln8554]

And Todd, considering the game won't let yoh advance the storyline without joining the Furcon.

[@anakinvader9120]

Idk man, the perks of being a werewolf are top tier

[@Jeymez]

@@abdalln8554 Bethesda asks for way too much, but that's Bethesda writing for you lol. they've always been hit and miss, it's like you say im Dragonborn, so why should you have to do this to go further. i can see if, one of the quests leads to fighting a dragon, and they witness your power, that would get you in. but no that's not good enough for Bethesda. instead you don't get a choice in the matter. maybe the idea was to make you feel like you're apart of it, but the first time you see Varkas change, my thought was, please tell me im not gonna have to go through that, i am ain't i. well so much for being Dragonborn. i disagree about the thieves guild being number 2, granted they have more quests, but it's all about Maven gaining power, and i don't care to help anyone in Riften. she may be for the Empire, but that doesn't mean her intentions are pure. to me she's worse than Ulfric, because atleast he's fighting for what he wants, which is Skyrim's independence. Maven has also been on record about the Thalmar, so what is her ultimate goal. someone who's willing to be that corrupt just to grab power, when she already has everybody in her pocket, that tells me, whoever rules Skyrim overall will keep a close eye on her. because if she can take over Riften, whose to say, she wouldn't have plains to take over Skyrim. there are a lot of choice moments in this game, that to me don't lead to a noble outcome. now you don't have to get involved with anybody in Riften, but you won't have much of a reason to be there, because most of the quests involved, have you doing some shady things. if it's not something the Thieves guild has you doing, it's Maven herself, and both of thier goals lie in a similar direction. the Dawnguard is only good for one thing, Serana, but that requires you to go the other way, and she's not even available without mods.

[@DeadwaveCarrier-oc1wo]

@anakinvader9120 The resist disease perk and still being able to use the face sculptor are the only things I like about being a werewolf. Other than that, the werewolf firm is mid in my opinion.

[@someonesilence3731]

You didn't put Stormcloaks at the top!!? Argggg!! Imperial basard! Skyrim belongs to the Nords!!! *continues to write a full essay*

[@masterneloth]

I’m so sorry! I’ll make sure to say my daily Ulfric affirmations when I wake up I swear!!

[@piccoloktheforged]

@@masterneloth Did you wake up??

[@masterneloth]

@@piccoloktheforged zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@pineapplek1g323]

The stormcloaks seem to forget that it’s the empire that’s keeping the thalmor out of Skyrim

[@someonesilence3731]

@@pineapplek1g323 100% utter nonsense, the Empire is what's inviting the Thalmor into Skyrim. Skyrim should go the way of Hammerfell and kick them all out.

[@daffyduckett]

Finally someone with a little love for the Winterhold college! I always liked it for the dialog between crazy professors. Also the side quest were hilarious. There's a side quest that temporarily gives you unlimited magic. Name another faction that dose something that broken. I always completed it before a major story fight to add flavor.

[@masterneloth]

Never forget that Brelyna turns you into multiple animals…

[@tynirio_1]

Or arniel literally turning to a ghost and leaving Keening on the floor

[@kaunissusi]

Or J'zargo simply being the coolest follower! Also, there's one perk to being Arch Mage - it impressed Brelyna! In most playthroughs I ask her to be my wife while playing a female dunmer to make the choice of adoption plausible

[@Cybernaut76]

Actually, Winterhold College would be a wonderful place if these two factors were fixed 1) Some of the containers in your student room and in the Archmages quarters respawn 2) Whenever I go there, I always feel like someone should repair that grievously dilapidated, potentially treacherous bridge at once before it kills someone, maybe even the protagonist.

[@Miss_Camel]

Omgggg I thought I finished all my quests there! Which one is it? Also, J’zargo was definitely my fave follower but he got killed before I could heal him, and I would’ve gone back on a previous save, but I BARELY made it out of the battle he died in. 😔 RIP J’zargo. I never wanted to kill you like I do Serana and her whining.

[@graysongrahamcracker8573]

I wish there was a way to be persuaded by Mercer Fray in the thieves guild and take the skeleton key, kill Mercer, AND destroy the thieves guild leaving you where Mercer wanted to be, as the most powerful thief in Skyrim.

[@masterneloth]

Or take Mjoll and start cleansing the rats from the ratway 😎

[@ZenAdept42]

@@masterneloth The housecarl in mistveil keep mentions how all he’d need is a dozen men, could’ve been a perfect opportunity for the player character to offer to clear em out instead, maybe even involve mjoll as well.

[@orionpenis6177]

@@masterneloth I think that was actually planned at one point but got removed, always bothered me you could do it with the Dark Brotherhood but not the Thieves Guild lol.

[@arwahsapi]

Mercer is the best battletank if you can abuse him as "follower". One of the thieves guild quest line requires you to meet him at the Snow Veil Sanctum. Talk to him there but don't enter the temple, take him to your adventures instead.

[@kaunissusi]

I kind of pity Mjoll for being unable to cleanse the ratway. Usually, I befriend her when entering Riften only to go behind her back and become the leader of the guild she desires to destroy. It would be difficult to make her quest of destroying the thieves guild be worth it in comparison though

[@dividewalker5673]

You forgot two things One, the best part of the Dark Brotherhood is that you have the option to *_slaughter them all!_* Seriously, for Bethesda to let you merc an entire faction? That's ballsy. Two, how could you forget your own House!? House Telvanni is joinable in the Dragonborn DLC! You have to complete the quest where you kill Varona, and Neloth makes you a member of the House.

[@masterneloth]

I didn’t include Telvanni because I don’t feel like you are an active member like the other factions. Also you don’t really have a choice to join, Neloth just says your an honorary member in the side.

[@DennisDear-qt7uj]

Don’t u just get a crappy room w telvanni

[@lovingyouwaslikelovingthedead]

you can't kill varona - she dies after you meet her for the first time. if you mean ildari, you have to kill her to "become" a member of house telvanni.

[@PixelCatSheep]

Wait I didn’t know you could join the houses-

[@lovingyouwaslikelovingthedead]

@@PixelCatSheep you can't officially join any in skyrim but I know you can join a few of them in morrowind!

[@matthewhumphrey3298]

I think it would have been cool if you could join the Silver hands and destroy the werewolves. Have them take over the hall in the end.

[@masterneloth]

And make the Silver-Bloods ex-Companions that despised what they became. And swore to destroy them and restore the Companions to what they once were.

[@matthewhumphrey3298]

@@masterneloth agree. Would have made a better quest line.

[@jonnyofalltrades6620]

Guys. Please. They are the Silver Hand. Tbf, it is 50% the same name, but the Silver-Bloods are the aristocrats in Markarth. As far as I know, no connection between the 2.

[@kirikosamagajie3014]

@@jonnyofalltrades6620 thank you, I was so confused as to what they were talking about .

[@jonnyofalltrades6620]

@@kirikosamagajie3014 np! I love Skyrim lol

[@arwahsapi]

The silver hand should be made a joinable faction as the companions adversary, only then can Skyrim be a perfectly balanced game

[@fartass8299]

Not really, to be perfectly balanced it also needs destroy the thieves guild quest

[@arwahsapi]

@@fartass8299 yeah that one too

[@fartass8299]

@@arwahsapi i think that with those 2 things skyrim can become the closest thing to a perfect game

[@kaunissusi]

To add to the balance, how about "rebuilding Winterhold" as a quest given by the Jarl, to obtain a house, the college must be refrain from teaching and the city repaired. (Main quest line would still be able to continue since the college only has one active class)

[@abdalln8554]

Iirc there's a dungeon where you help a descendant of Ysgramor fight a dragonpriest. Could be so easy to tie her and the silver hand into a faction that's opposed to the companions on the basis they strayed too far from the path of a Nord. Maybe make some of them former companions who joined up with werewolf hunters since their goals alighned.

[@rociohernandez3077]

The thing I hate the most about the college is how much potential it has, because the questline is insane and I loved doing most of them and even the side quests, I guess the issue for me is more that it should've been longer. Also let me spend more time as a student, I liked how distinct the other students personalities were. The companions could never.

[@f16airforce]

Yes it had so much heart compared to the other guild questlines, like the first time you see what the augur of dunlain really is

[@kaunissusi]

It would be cool if one would have to reach a certain mage ability either through lessons or self training to be able to continue to further stages. Just as a college safety measure, since there have been other students gone missing and experiments gone wrong

[@Sageddegas]

I def thought it was gonna cross over with the graybeards or something when I first played

[@codafett]

Oh yeah, easily the weakest part of the storyline is how quickly it turns into "Save the world"

[@rynslev]

yeah and its a shame theres no real quests or anything to try and improve the colleges rep across skyrim but man that arch mage robe you get along with the dragon priest mask you get near the end makes any wizard build op af

[@duskbringer4583]

After War: "Time to go tell Emperor that Skyrim will be free!" Me who assassinated the Emperor: "...Yeaaaaah... Woo... Oh look at the time I need to get going."

[@masterneloth]

When you join the empire and swear allegiance to an emperor you body slammed into the flooring…

[@raetekusu1]

@@masterneloth One of my favorite moments was when I was playing the Way of the Monk mod and played as an assassin who just punched people to death, so when I went to kill the Emperor, my character just fucking suplexed him in a killmove. Had to pause the game for a few moments because I couldn't stop laughing. Emperor wants to die all dignified and I just slam him headfirst into the floor.

[@jenb7780]

Defending Whiterun when you're late game and have all the summons for Durneviir and Lucien and everything else. It's a chaotic battle

[@niccolodonati]

The idea about balgruuf always siding with the opposite army is really awesome

[@zjjohnson3827]

No. Let Stormcloak players SUFFER IN SHAME as Jarl Balling tells them how they backstabbed him and how he thought he could trust them

[@masterneloth]

@@zjjohnson3827 Balgruuf be like: I’m not mad, just disappointed…

[@kamixakadio2441]

@@zjjohnson3827 Shame. *ring* Shame. *ring* Shame. *ring*

[@GravitonLance]

@@zjjohnson3827 SKYRIM BELONGS TO THE NORDS

[@zjjohnson3827]

@@masterneloth oh no, he’s mad *and* disappointed

[@ryhi5]

Here are my own rankings! Best to worst! 1. *Thieves Guild* - I view the nightingales as separate from the Thieves Guild, so I don't factor in being forced to join the Nightingales as a strike against the Thieves Guild. Aside from Brynjolf "having important things to do" this faction had the most satisfying ending for me, and it truly felt like I earned the title of Guildmaster. 2. *Dawnguard* - I one hundred percent agree that the assault on Castle Volkihar for the final mission in the Dawnguard version of the main quest makes Dawnguard have a way more satisfying ending, which puts it ahead of the vampires. However, I felt the Dawnguard radiant quests got old really fast, and the rewards weren't nearly as satisfying as the quest rewards for the vampires. 3. *Clan Volkihar* - Like I said. Weaker and less satisfying execution of the main quest, but I think the vampires have better side quests than the Dawnguard. Killing an NPC and framing the Dawnguard to make the vampire hunters look like the bad guys, turning certain NPCs into vampires, one of which could be your own spouse, and the really strong rewards in the form of the blood magic rings. It makes being a vampire feel like a ton of fun, to the point where I think Clan Volkihar is a better faction for evil characters than the Dark Brotherhood. 4. *Dark Brotherhood* - Being able to assassinate the Emperor is really awesome, but that's all the faction has going for it to the point where I feel like it's overcompensating. The main quest and side assassinations are fine. The biggest problem with the Dark Brotherhood is the fact that you need to "rebuild the guild" but the game barely lets you do any of that. You get to redecorate the Dawnstar sanctuary, and you get two nameless nobodies who replace the cool characters you lost. Really? THAT'S IT? 5. *College of Winterhold* - I really like the characters, and the Eye of Magnus provided better Lore on Ysgramor than the faction that revolves around Ysgramor, but the faction really needs to do a better job at feeling like a school. There should be more than three apprentice students, and there should be radiant quests involving taking actual classes on how to learn more advanced spells. Replace the Thalmor with the Synod as the antagonist faction of the College. That way we can learn more about the faction that replaced the Imperial Mages Guild. 6. *The Civil War* - Biggest waste of potential in the game. You should have been able to have city battles for every major city you needed to take to win. Also, everything revolving around Whiterun's role in the civil war needs an overhaul. What is the point of making Baalgruff neutral at the start if he's just going to side with the Empire anyway? 7. *Companions* - Boring radiant quests, boring story, only two or three likeable characters, and you progress way too fast. Also, Bethesda should have done one of two things. Either remove the werewolf elements entirely, OR give the player the option to join the Silver Hand. I agree with Fudgemuppets suggestion that The Silver Hand should have been fleshed out and revealed to be former Companions who are not okay with Werewolves being in the guild. 8. *Bards College* - I don't even think the Bard's College should count as a proper faction. The only reason I'm mentioning it is because it was mentioned in this video.

[@nightowl6055]

I think that the developers intented to make it so you actually have to attack each major city, but they didn't manage to finish it

[@ВладимирПетров-д1м]

@@nightowl6055 yeah, it's quite obvious once you start looking for it. Marcarth's gate is specifically designed to be attacked by a player and there are a bunch of watchtowers near Riften. There is a video on that topic somewhere on youtube iirc

[@dasik84]

Thalmor can't be replaced in the College. They are High Elves, the most magic using race. The College would be the very first place they would annex.

[@anakinvader9120]

Bro really put the college over companions 💀

[@dasik84]

@@anakinvader9120 Well, yes! You can't even finish the companions storyline if you don't wanna be a werewolf. I was so let down that it was a requirement! (Vampires rule!)

[@OuhHey]

Even if I like them, the Companions should have been TRUE nords, honorable and still worshipping the Old Nordic Pantheon, still learning and training their Thu'Um Not just some random werewolves mercenaries devoted to Hircine Also, all of the factions should've been bigger With a lot more of NPCs and lot more Quests With Ranks and an actual climbing to prove yourself and to acces to the real "Hard" quests. For exemple, in the Thieve Guild, it makes no sense than a Newbie goes to the Lumidor Estate when Vex, a Veteran, didn't manage to even infiltrate PS : My favorite factions are the Thieves Guilds and the Companions

[@fartass8299]

I think it makes sense that the player is tasked by mercer to heist goldenglow because as he said "you say he is good, then let him prove himself" and also because mercer didn't like us from the start

[@kianschoeman6574]

You seem to forget that this is a game that came out more that 10 years ago The game was very impressive back then and was up to standard and even beyond that standard

[@Journey22405]

The thing with the thieves guild is they want to test your skills asap. If you get captured or die on your first job then Mercer was proven right and you're useless and a dead weight, if the dragon born succeeds then there clearly bags of potential and already one of the best thieves in the guild. Sure the game could force you to take a few smaller jobs like one or two Thieving jobs but at the same time the quest needs to be exciting. As much as I love the thieves guild i think they went the wrong way with it personally and if they ignored the nightingales and instead just made it a tale of treachery and intrigue they would have been able to make a better story. Still A very very good questline.

[@darthsion3253]

I love the bard college after 10 mods it's amazing

[@funglepuss3841]

The best part of the Dark Brotherhood is having the choice to murder them. It's the only questline that let's the player choose their own path for the character they've made.

[@remote24]

Paarthunax?😅 But yes. This game needed more of this

[@split776]

One thing I really like about the Dark Brotherhood is the random encounter in which an assassin is sent after you can happen RIGHT AFTER HELGEN which implies the player character had some connection to the guild before meeting them properly in the game - either by messing with them or getting some citizen of Skyrim so worked up that they set up a contract for our blood

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

Some in the community suggested that that was the reason we went over the border. Being wanted by the DB and deciding to move over to Skyrim.

[@TheOneE2]

I like how he never mentions the PHYCHOPATH that is Cicero

[@HiAgainTheNameIsStillAyle]

Cicero best boy, silence

[@variaggrasku9549]

Thieves Guild is my no. 1. It is the only faction that really changes sth in the game for the player and has the best character stories. Every single one of them has a unique backstory. They are just awesome.

[@Rykaas]

About the Dark Brotherhood I like to think like Auri says: "Who's the murderer? The dagger, or the person holding the dagger? You are just the dagger, the person paying you is the murderer"

[@nightowl6055]

Fun fact: farkas means wolf in hungarian (and probably a couple of other languages too) so I wasn't too surprised when it turned out that Farkas was a werewolf

[@Hari-Harmonies]

Being a werewolf was fantastic the first time, dope with moonlight tales and and amazing with Growl. Plus it was also more so those in the circle that were pro werewolf that IN SECRET turned you into a werewolf. Still enjoyed other quests more after but still never has a game given me so much hype than when I got to be a werewolf for the first time.

[@steveosborn7224]

One of the better features of moonlights tales is wolves and other werewolves not attacking you 😊

[@rilius7138]

I find it hilarious that with every faction this video was like "Personally I hate them.........but story etcetc"

[@anvos658]

Well Dark Brotherhood has always been the lamer version of the Morag Tong, going over the top edgelord psychopath instead of cool assassin guild.

[@jerryamescua]

“Impressive, very nice. Now let’s see Oblivion’s card”

[@someonesilence3731]

I'm pure evil so this would be my list: 1. Dark Brotherhood 2. Thieves Guild 3. College of Winterhold 4. Clan Volkihar 5. Dawnguard 6. Companions 7. Stormcloaks 8. Imperials 9. Bard's college

[@masterneloth]

Ew, you put Clan Volkihar in 4th 🤢

[@someonesilence3731]

@@masterneloth Vampire illusion mage-assasin is the most overpowerd build in the game, especially with Auriels bow to envelop the world in darkness and suffering. It puts a stealth archer to shame. I never even feed lol why would I, it would only weaken my powers.

[@isaacfigueroa7765]

Just move the imperials to second or first place… then it’s pure evil 😈 😈

[@KrystofM]

As a vampire you don't have to avoid sun. Just master your restoration and get some mana regen gear and you'll be ok

[@igor953]

I hate it because u cant be 1st person in a vampire form

[@chazzx1018]

In the beginning, the sunlight destroys you. The sun is your true enemy. Bandits were destroying me. I one shot Bandits. Being a vampire sucks.

[@anvos658]

@@chazzx1018 That isn't vampire dependent though, that is just the level scaling that makes things brutal in the early game before you master crafting skills and then legendary them a couple times to get skill points for combat skills.

[@chazzx1018]

@@anvos658 I know you have to build it into a master vampire lord. Considering trying it. Have the saves right before I speak to Harkon.

[@mikelapine1]

I tend to think of the Dawn Guard as a superior version of the Companions. They’re also the only guild that I really like.

[@chadnorris8257]

Yeah. I do wish they actually used some magic, though. Only Isran and Florentius have restoration spells.

[@TaysanGalovu]

They're certainly the most heroic fraction.

[@Thetasteoforange]

Fun fact: If the Stormcloaks/Imperials win the Civil War questline and you were to spawn the opposing side in a city, where you then attack the Jarl, the opposing side will actually fight you.

[@seanmcclure]

Because of all of these videos I am now addicted to the game again. I have a character on my computer I’m playing that’s a stealth build and a character on my Xbox. That is an in your face warrior. It’s so hard to put down. On both of them I’m close to level 30 and I haven’t even started the main quest yet. I love this game so much.

[@davidlane1248]

Dawnguard really is the best faction. Cool ass armor, badass leader, fucking CROSSBOWS, a kick ass castle, getting to regularly kill for a faction without feeling like a bad person, since vampires are pieces of shit, going to the soul cairn and forgotten vale(two of the coolest places in the game), having the best follower in the game AND getting to permanently pass or fail at a goal through getting Serana to cure her disgusting disease The only downside I have isn't even the guilds fault, but I do feel a bit out of place when I take my dawnguard characters to Morrowind for the first time

[@drdreegzer]

Crossbows only help archers. And even then. Why bother if fenriels end exists

[@carlosl8372]

Dawnguard is fucking boring, quests are boeing, rewards are boring, the castle is a joke. Vampires are just not as boring and rewards are crazy. Also you say vampires are pieces of shit but the follower, a vampire, is great? Also not like vampire = bad person

[@Trixie_Lavender]

My favorite things about the Dawnguard are crossbows (though the Creation Club gives you more and better crissbows) and offensive Restoration spells. Now you can improve Restoration at a decent speed without grinding! Also no chance of friendly fire when a vampire attacks Whiterun

[@Edowin-jz2sj]

With the Dawnguard, I love how the faction continues to recruit more members as you complete quests and I wish the other factions did as well (Thieves Guild gains a few members, merchants, and fences, but could have cranked it up a notch). Also, that artifact shield is probably the best unique light armor shield in the game.

[@ComicKodi]

Imo, the worst part of the companions is that (in my experience, maybe I missed something) you do absolutely nothing as a werewolf with the others. Hell, I was even attacked by Aela every time I turned Werewolf during fetch quests. Not to mention the bug where if you have a bounty in ANY hold, the companions will constantly agro you and not allow for fast travel. Or they’ll constantly attempt to talk to you and avoid any and all fighting. So broken. Makes me put the companions at the bottom (albeit above the bards).

[@anakinvader9120]

That really happened to you? Huh, I had the absolute OPPOSITE side. They never mind when I turn into a werewolf, and they even mind their business when I kill random NPCs lmao

[@FelipeSalesGuitar]

If only bethesda had time to flesh out the companions and the college's questlines...

[@explodingplant2]

I mean, isn't a civil seige on every city part of the cut content? Was it like Oblivion, where it had to be cut because it wouldn't fit on 1 disc for consoles? Or a mismanagement thing?

[@PingasFumberto]

@@explodingplant2the game with all the add-one is literally only 12 gigabytes. They’ve had plenty of time to add it back in to.

[@Miss_Camel]

“Conjure up a hammer already and fix the goddamn bridge” -the moment I absolutely fucking LOST IT at 5:46am bc my brain won’t stop being entertaining and sleep doesn’t like me

[@nigerianprinceajani]

You're objectively wrong because you forgot the best faction in the game, the Riften Fishery.

[@rkj5480]

I will never betray Balgruff

[@RavenKnight11]

Just fyi, there’s now a way you can join the Stormcloaks and still not betray Balgruuf. A mod called The Balgruuf Dilemma. I always thought that after all the Dragonborn has done for Whiterun, Balgruuf should join whichever side I tell him to. This mod makes it happen.

[@PixelCatSheep]

@@RavenKnight11Do you know the Parthunaxx Dilemma mod? It lets you spare parthunaxx but still have a good relationship with both the Greybeards and the Blades

[@buffsniper]

Fun fact: if you side with The imperials, Maven The black-briar becomes The Jarl of riften

[@WolfGodOdin]

The Companions work for Ulfric and always did. Balgruff was weak. Could tell from the start as he is still working with imperials.

[@rkj5480]

Still won’t betray Balgruff no matter what you all say! Also, I’m an imperialist you rebel barbarians

[@RavenKnight11]

The best reward from the Dark Brotherhood, imho, has to be Shadowmere. You get your very own Daedric horse, now that is cool. Awesome video. It’s not too often someone will objectively rank the groups instead of just ranking purely by personal opinion. Thanks.

[@Sageddegas]

Literally like the best clan reward out of them all I think. Especially for those of us who don’t like to fast travel all the time.

[@zacharyt.2694]

@@Sageddegas Arvak in the Dawnguard DLC makes Shadowmere obsolete since he's a summonable undead horse, so that would be a point toward the Dawnguard and Clan Volkihar.

[@Honeybutterbis]

@@zacharyt.2694Arvark doesn’t look anywhere near as cool, and my character will look like a badass in every way.

[@cocaloca5402]

I'd put the Dark Brotherhood at nr. 2 and Thieves Guild at nr. 1 The cast is quirky but you don't really get a lot of time with them and their lines get repetitive real fast. The fact that they are just purged and as you said you essentially end up with a faction comprising you (the Leader...again) and 3 NPCs kinda brings it down a lot. Definitely the most unique/memorable quests though

[@explodingplant2]

For Skyrim ANY characters who feel unique is an immediate starved bonus. I should probably hate the college of winterhold but it has J'zargo (plus the tiniest bit of a Hogwarts feel via the dormitory). I haven't even played oblivion but I know so many of its characters. Glarthir, the crazy dog couple, the crazy rat lady, the panicked guy who screams RUN WHILE YOU CANNN, hell they even throw in an alchemy store owner who just so happens to not at all be suspected of necrophilia.

[@theelderscrolls_area]

Nice vid! thx 😁

[@nurniegreeble5784]

man, not even the furries want the Companions questline. I feel like it'd have been more satisfying to free Kodlak's soul by going into the realm of Hircine and liberating him yourself with your honorable band of warriors, and everyone frees themselves from the curse alongside him. if the hunt was good enough, Hircine would probably be cool with it-maybe from then on werewolves and champion hunters will hunt you down from time to time a la Sinding also Aela dies

[@DaemonT19]

I'd say the thieves guild has the best story. Simply being if you say look at the missions from dex and dalvin as a way to make you up to be the best thief. And then let mercer betray the brotherhood. It stings so much more. If they really wanted the guilds to mean something, there needs to be a you can't do this quest till you've pickpocketed 5 missions to completion. or so on. Same with dark brotherhood, you most assassinate this many people to get this mission.

[@amazingcynic9709]

The dark brotherhood has always been the best faction in all games lmao

[@masterneloth]

Except probably Morrowind… lol

[@ashlynbulsara4238]

The worst thing about the civil war that nothing have changes in the world when it over .

[@Grombrindal]

None of the people in Sovngarde seem to care about earthly events. I ripped Ulfric Stormcloak to pieces and ate him and he was still pretty stoked about being in the Nordic version of Heaven

[@terrelldurocher3330]

"You fight weird dragonborn, but you are the hero of skyrim!" Ulfric after i canibalized him and everyone in the castle.

[@Janoha17]

With King Olaf, the question isn't if he captured Numinex, but how he did so, hence the option to say "Olaf caught him asleep."

[@Marcel-et3rg]

I like how clavicus vile compliments you while also flexing on u

[@manuelredgrave8348]

I hate the thieves guild because it's clear a lot of effort was put into the quest but: 1 I hate thieves, fictional or not 2 You have to put Brand Shei in jail forever 3 You cannot just pay the 3 merchants' debt and pretend you extorted the money (i installed a mod called thieves guild for good guys to prevent lowering my rep with everyone) 4 You cannot kill Maven (why??? She's not even that useful story wise) 5 You have to join the Nightingales (cool looking armor, but it's pre enchanted (player can make better without even using exploits) and you have to sell your soul for it 6 Did i mention that i Reeeeaaalllly hate thieves? Like.. A looooooooot... I felt like i should say that. Atleast with Dark Brotherhood i can turn all of them into meat sweetrolls.

[@NoahVercetti]

You don't actually have to put brand shi in jail. You can drop the ring or get caught lock picking and you still get in the guild

[@mongopoe5099]

@@NoahVercettiyeah I put the ring in the barrel near the night elf lady right outside the market

[@nellylenaj3601]

I love the companions but i agree. Also can we talk about how we are newbies but can become the new leaders way too easily?. I get being a leader of sorts due to the missions and rising up but , THE leader. Technically speaking someone else shouldve become the harbinger. I know Mirabelle passed so she couldbt be the new archmage but wouldnt tolfdir or whatever his name is (the one that becomes your advisor when you become the archmage) be the new archmage? Or one of the other teachers?. Our character barely learned ANYTHING and suddenly theyre in charge? I feel like if anything we couldve been an advisor or consultant. Not the archmage. Plus i want more lessons. Its a school. Have a few lessons and then during a certain part of the year do self study or somthing. Sorry. Im ranting but like i agree with alot of what you saying despute loving the factions. I see the issues and plot holes

[@xyrothryu]

For me the dark brotherhood barely gets above the bards college. It’s a mere shadow of how great oblivion was, there is nothing sneaky or sinister about it, it’s like doing a radiant bandit quest.

[@tanjamanglory]

i took so much time to make a vampire build because of all the negative feedback i always read. i wanna say, its awesome... the sun and weakness to fire are minor pests in comparison with the power you get, best enchants(no glitches), best smithing, best magic, best everything because of best enchants. i am really enjoying it, and btw hes an altmer. not even dunmer. anyway just wanted to point it out:). cheers!

[@graysongrahamcracker8573]

I would probably do the exact same list you did, but put the thieves guild at the top, instead off the dark brotherhood. I haven't played the other Elder Scrolls games, so I can't really compare the guilds.

[@austinlee4156]

Yeah somethin like in oblivion where you do quest for each city to gain their support would have been interesting

[@remote24]

I love how the fkn blades didnt even get mentioned, but the bards did😂😊

[@mooc422]

#noone surprised

[@Kopernicus67]

Great channel. Neloth is my #1 favorite Skryim character. The voice actor perfectly captures that lovable condescension. Too bad Bethesda waited to make an ES6 and didn't just come out with expansions for each of the factions. A Silver Hand revenge war against the Companions? The Blades rebel against the Dragonborn for saving Parthrumax? Hermaous Mora asks the Dragonborn to go too far? Thalmor invasion? The list is endless.

[@evelyndelorie5409]

how do you not have 1mil+ subs you’re literally hilarious

[@masterneloth]

The greatest minds are often not recognized in their time! 😎 jk it doesn’t bother me being small lol

[@christophermonceux6578]

The Companions- So you did half a fetch quest with us... wanna be the leader?

[@kentgoldings]

All of the main factions quests suffer in comparison to Oblivion. The Dark Brotherhood suffers the most. As good as it is, the DB line is far inferior to the Oblivion DB line.

[@Hari-Harmonies]

Personal list that no one asked for: 8. Bards college. Why no instrument playing? Thank you mods for fixing this. Quests to find and play instrumental songs from other elder scrolls games, being able to busk, perform in inns, palaces politics, gossip, the ability to change history when bringing what you learned to the college itself and hearing those pieces performed, being the person who chooses how Skyrim's history is written. Such a missed opportunity. 7. College of Winterhold. Didn't really find it as memorable as a lot of others. Felt like a lot of stories went there and it should have been way more fleshed out. 6. Dark Brotherhood. Too long and a little too edgy for me, personally. But the quest line was amazing, I just tend toward more roguish and goody twoshoes characters. 5. Volkihar. Vampire Lord was really fun but the quest really did fall flat at the end. 4. Companions. Could really be more fleshed out with all the history, but nothing beat that first werewolf transformation! 3. Civil War. Loved it, still one of the most difficult choices in the game. Even though it was technically quite simple, being there with the people you escape Helgen with really helped flesh out Skyrim as a living world. 2. Dawnguard. Loved it, no doubt. Van Helsing fantasy come to Skyrim with awesome looking armour. Laura Beiley as Serana, Skyrim's first unmodded, fleshed out character, chef's kiss. Real close tie with thieves guild. Thieves guild. Great voice actors. Compelling characters. Made you feel like a thief, great reason for being a guild master and actual impact for completing radiant quests. Also anti-hero thrill seeker steal from the rich, give to the poor ideal is my favourite thing to role-play. Going deeper with Nocturnal was a surprise but a welcome one, gave it a far more interesting vibe. Riften used to be my least favourite city, then Inigo came along and made me see it a whole other way.

[@invisAG]

I’m the opposite when it comes to the Vulkihar clan. Every time I’ve played the Dawnguard DLC I’ve never been able to resist becoming a vampire. My current character will join the Dawnguard instead though

[@Edowin-jz2sj]

I agree with this ranking 100%! I was shocked at how lame the Bard faction was, but I think it's hilarious that the head of the Bard's College says "You and me, we're the only ones around here who aren't complete fools" which indicates that he hates the teachers and students lol! Now the one item I disagree with is the Nightingale faction because I love that group and the reveal and induction was one of the funner story aspects of the entire game. I can see how someone may not want to be in service to a Daedric Prince, but I got over that pretty quick because the armor was so damn cool on the first dozen or so play-throughs and both the look and enchantment on that sword are unreal (though I recommend a mod that gets rid of the passive glow - the jagged red splotching - which ruins the look imo).

[@danielwesley5051]

0:50 Trinamac disliked that comment.

[@kaitoshion4933]

T'was a missed opportunity to say "couldn't give a Malacath"

[@alessiodaniotti264]

Incredible, i agree 100% with the ranking.... The storylines of Thievees Guild and Dark Brotherhood are way above the other, but another thing for me that put DB above TG is that in the DB the player progress mainly thanks to abilities realted to assasinss: stealth kills, ranged archery attacks, making use of potions and/or using illusion magic to make targets die by the hands of other NPCs (with frenzy effects) are indeed ability related to one type or another of assassins. So you progress in that guild thanks to abilities related to that guild. In the Thieves guild there is a smaller use of skills related to thiefs (or even other rogue skills like speech), and is nearly always only the stealth skill that matter, and mainly in 3 main missions (infiltration in the East Empire Company in Solitude, in the Goldenglow estate and in Cancelmo's Lab in Markarth), plus some minor task (the ones Vex and Delvin gives), and even those can be easilly done without a single lockpicking or pickpocket, in particular if some specific task is selected (like the number job). Many other main quests of the questline, in particular the later ones, are more combat oriented, and can be done as a berseker or tank, and the few theives-like things are some object to pick up or some scripted sequences. In the end the Thieves guild had a great story and a good sense of progression, and you feel to deserve it, but thanks to an all around effort, not because you become better as a thief... so is a bit disconnected to the ability a member should have. In Oblivion there was a similar problem, but there was more use of rogue skills to progress (and the storyline was great too). And in Morrowind not only rogue's skills were actually even more important to progress in more quests, but there were requirements on those skills in order to be promoted to an higher rank. As the video said, the problem of progressing in a guild without abilites or playstyles related to that guild is an issue even for the mages, and also for the companions (Civil war and Dawnguard guilds are less related to some class, archetype or skillset, so they are out of that discussion).

[@BohrokKiller]

Best part of the Dark Brotherhood is to kill them all >:)

[@JonasR001]

Here's some of my problems my the skyrim factions: - Even when I become the leader of each factions, I'm still being given missions. As the leader I should be the one to hand out missions. - I hate it that if you join Clan Volkihar you cant get the Dawnguard unique equipment like the shield for example, and if you join the Dawnguard you cant get the special vampire amulets and rings and the cup that enhances your vampire powers. Not to mention that they are fine with Serana crashing at their place, but Talos forbid that YOU will become a vampire. - You cant take out the Thieves Guild the same way you do with the Dark Brotherhood if you wish. - Speaking of the Dark Brotherhood, why isnt there a whole questline for eradicating them like there's one if you decide to join them? - Why cant I roam freely at the East Empire Company warehouse? I took down the pirates that made problems for them after all.

[@sicko033]

i agree EXCEPT i would put clan volkihar higher. but.. that's just because i'm goth lol. other than that, you're absolutely right

[@bannedcommander2932]

Most guilds in Skyrim were a joke. I like the College of Winterhold best because it's the only one that isn't far worse than its Oblivion counterpart. The Dawnguard faction was also just ok.

[@ZenAdept42]

Excellent video sir. I love the Dawnguard to for the exact same reasons.

[@bobking9212]

Technically speaking for my own, I (level 58) Serana (fully loaded buffed Dawnguard armor, expensivist high Magicka tiera which she prefers even in broad daylight , highly buffed fire resist glass shield , highly buffed daedric sword and bow with bone arrows) and Barbas dont need no stinking faction we three are in it for ourselves! For now , Serana can take down a dragon quicker than Dragonborn now , I was both amazed and embarrassed at same time! We both are still vampires! Nice video! Thieves guild house purchase one of the best!

[@reeceburrill6938]

I forgot that The Bards College was a faction because it was so bad

[@asterodon]

The dumbest thing with the Companions is how Kodlak talks about how lycanthropy is a curse, you end up becoming one really against your will and not long after have to cure Kodlak so he can go to Sovngarde, it really feels like a spit in the face by him and the Companions. Now I know that you can cure yourself if you have another of the Glenmoril witch heads and you can cure others in the Circle, but you wouldn't have to if you weren't forced into lycanthropy in the first place. I know lots of people love the Companions, and I used to myself, but the more you think about it, the less sense the whole thing makes. You'd think that it would be more fleshed out considering the prominence of the guild within the lore and their location being in Whiterun, the main hold of the game, but alas, they didn't get the proper care unfortunately.

[@Zaitekno]

ofc a dunmer doesnt care about the civil war *rolls eyes in nord*

[@r1e234]

my biggest problem with the college of winterhold is that not only can you complete it knowing almost nothing about magic but its actually much easier if you dont really use magic. looking at the quest to fetch the staff of magnus specifically. i roleplay anyway but the college can put some furs wearing barbarian who knows 3 spells in charge as the arch mage.

[@venbont6685]

The Civil War Questline has a lot of cut content. every town and city had a battle and such. It’s all finished, just not implemented. There are mods that restore it though

[@rensmetselaar9]

Didnt even mention the sick anti vampire spells you get from the dawnguard

[@kylejohnson3889]

Personally for me the only reason I sometimes go for the stormcloaks is so I can get tulius armor but otherwise I go for the imperials cuz they are the best hope for tamriel

[@PixelCatSheep]

Finally someone who understands that the Imperials are not the bad guys!

[@kylejohnson3889]

Indeed. Without them who can stop the amderi dominion in the inevitable 2nd Great War. No one is remotely capable. Empire is the only hope as of right now

[@pinkfloydguy7781]

It’s irritating that in order to get the Tullius armor, you have to pick Stormcloak 🙄 Should have gotten your own set as a reward for the end of the war, so that Imperial players can rock that style.

[@anakinvader9120]

I mean, they are both morally gray... but as someone who felt extreme gratefulness and loyalty to the companions and Whiterun, when I found out the storm cloaks were planning an attack on the city and didn't care about the lives that would be lost, I instantly went for the Empire. Whiterun is the one that believes in you first, makes you thane, gave me a wife (I married Lydia for house perks), and I adopted Lucia and a house in that city... Couldn't have helped Stormcloaks attack my beloved little city lol

[@jermainetate3562]

The Necromage perk makes being a vampire so much more worth it as it boost alot of your abilities. Plus you can easily offset the draw backs of being a vampire with fire enchantments or completing the vampire quest and getting the bow to darken the sky. My favorite is just to power level your character so much that the drawbacks don't even matter lol. My biggest issue with the vampire side is the quest are really buggy and sometimes the gear you get falls in comparison to gear you can make.

[@ArishVanNikon]

Holy shit, I thought I was the only one who always roll eyes when I see cringy and edgy skyrim players who love the dark brotherhood for the sake of being evil.

[@remote24]

Most of the time I just raid their stupid little hideout. Especially when I don't need their special items😂

[@zackharris5998]

1 theves guild 2 dark brotherhood 3 companions 4 dawnguard 5 college of winterhold

[@donelkingii3738]

How can you not like the sweet taste and feel of blood?

[@masterneloth]

Because I’m not emo

[@newmoonwithface]

@@masterneloth w

[@lootgoblin695]

Crazy how for my 5 years of playing the game I never knew you can even join a bards college and when he started spitting straight facts I can’t help but subscribe on the spot I fucking like this man and how he does shit

[@Reaper419Darkangel]

10:00 I see what you did there. I liked the animated series so it's fine

[@masterneloth]

;)

[@kaanyalim9086]

I love the fact that we're still talking about skyrim

[@nathanschmidtke5901]

I was very surprised seeing bards college at the bottom 😂

[@masterneloth]

They deserve it lol

[@ZenAdept42]

Remember playing when I was a teen, really loved the idea of playing at inns, only to then discover that you don't even learn any instruments. Such a shitty questline.

[@thanus6636]

Same here! I’m surprised they made the list at all.

[@chazzx1018]

​@@ZenAdept42it's just a quick way to boost skills and learn some cool spells. Winterhold should have offered that

[@dagothurgaming7016]

Average neloth W

[@hellsflyboy]

I was lukewarm on thieves guild but you made a damn good case for them. Their missions are fun but I am doing a playthrough where I wanna get in character as sort of an exiled noble who wouldn't consort with them, but being able to bribe the guards and have your secret network is pretty dope. I also love the nightingale rewards.

[@HaYlEeXx19]

14:06 😂😂 I love the edgy

[@ianyazbec5829]

The Vigilants of Stendarr should have been a more fleshed out faction instead of a plot device, but that's what you get from expecting Bethesda to make a complete game...

[@remote24]

They're cardboard silverhand+dawnguard. I understand why they don't have a bigger role. It's a missed option but the boxes they tick for variety values are just not there

[@elgringobandito7118]

Did you steal that "conjure up a hammer" joke from Senile Scribbles?

[@masterneloth]

Maybe…

[@SorceressWitch]

Funny that civil war factions are lower but people only talk about those factions. I think it's new fans who started with Skyrim who weren't fantasy fans until playing this game which is why they're more focused on wars. Older fans seem to like the lore more and stuff like daedra are much more interesting than some fools fighting over a throne.

[@price6080]

These videos are class😂 just started the skyrim special edition so im glad i found this channel

[@codafett]

My one gripe with the Dark Brotherhood is that you're railroaded into becoming The Listener and helping the Night Mother over Astrid. Personally, I liked the set up we had before with just us being an assassination company and not a full blown cult.

[@sweetmelody6183]

I don't particularly like your placement of the volkihar, but its just because i like vampires more. Your reasonings? They make sense and sound valid. So overall, your placements are pretty much spot on! DB being best is not wrong, but its overshadowed by Oblivion's Dark Brotherhood for sure.

[@Watch_DogsFan]

This is the first video of yours I've seen, and I'm hooked

[@chanceharper4676]

I love the volkihar because of my mod that makes you able to fly as a vampire lord, that mixed with predator night vision makes you ACTUALLY feel like a badass breed of vampire

[@jonnyofalltrades6620]

Is there anything you don't hate? Good God... I'm kidding, but fun video! I appear to have the reverse tastes you have, so it was cool to see your perspective.

[@jdvanguy296]

In the companions review you said they fight the "silverbloods" its actually the "silverhand" but I can see how it was probably a slip of the tounge. Good review man. I thought that instead of taking over every single faction ( dawnguard excluded) it should have been more like fallout nv, and they could've had the dragonborn get allies for whichever side of the civil war quest you choose. Just my two pennies.

[@davidponder1654]

My problem with the companions is they’re mainly nords. Most of wich want to make it so savngarde really bad, but then they give their souls to a daedric prince so they can’t go to savngarde. Makes zero fuckin sense