Can you destroy both Imperial and Stormcloaks in Skyrim?

Yes, you can destroy both Imperial and Stormcloaks in Skyrim, but it won’t have any significant impact on the game’s storyline as the leaders of both factions are marked as essential players unless you’re killing them as part of a specific quest. Removing their essential flags and killing them both would likely cause issues with quest-related content and potentially disrupt the game’s progression.

Understanding the Imperial and Stormcloak Conflict

The conflict between the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks is a central aspect of Skyrim’s storyline, with each side having its own ideology and motivations. The Imperials seek to maintain the Empire’s control over Skyrim, while the Stormcloaks fight for independence and the right to self-governance.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Can you fight for both sides in Skyrim? You can play for both sides to a point, but eventually, you’ll have to make a decision, although it’s not a conscious one, and you can fight for the Stormcloaks for roughly half the questline before defecting.
2. Is there a way to peacefully end the war in Skyrim? The only way peace comes to Skyrim is when one side defeats the other, which is more of a temporary truce, and the war will resume after the main quest is over.
3. Can I do both Imperial and Stormcloak quests? You can only join one side or the other, much like the three great houses in Morrowind, once you join one, the other will not like you.

Choosing a Side

4. Is it better to fight for the Imperials or Stormcloaks? Pick Imperial if you want to play a character from outside Skyrim, and pick Stormcloak if you believe the Empire has no right to control Skyrim, especially if you’re a Nord.
5. Why choose Imperials over Stormcloaks? The Imperial Legion has a better ranking system and equipment, and the title progression feels more appropriate compared to the Stormcloaks.

Characters and Factions

6. Who is more evil, Stormcloaks or Imperials? Both sides have their ideologies and actions, and it’s hard to classify one as more evil than the other, as both have their sins and deeds.
7. Is Ulfric a bad guy? Ulfric becomes the main antagonist if you join the Imperial Legion, but he’s also a well-respected Jarl in Skyrim, considered a hero by many.
8. Can you switch sides from Stormcloak to Imperial? You can switch sides during the Jagged Crown quest by taking the crown to the leader of the opposing faction.

Game Mechanics and Storyline

9. Would an Imperial join the Dark Brotherhood? It depends on your character’s loyalty to the Imperial Legion, but generally, it doesn’t make sense for an Imperial to join the Dark Brotherhood.
10. Can you lose the civil war in Skyrim? Whichever side you choose wins, but in some mods, you can lose the war if your defenses fail to prevent an assault.
11. How many endings does Skyrim have? Skyrim doesn’t have a traditional ending, but some quest arcs have varied endings, such as the Civil War.

Specific Events and Characters

12. What happens if Stormcloaks win the war? The Stormcloaks will place Skyrim’s Holds under the rule of different Jarls, with Imperial Jarls moving to Solitude’s Blue Palace.
13. What happens if I free a Stormcloak prisoner? You avoid the bounty while making them hostile, allowing you to kill them without negative consequences.
14. Who betrayed Ulfric Stormcloak? Hrolfdir betrayed Ulfric, handing him over to the Empire, which imprisoned him and planted the seeds of resentment that led to the Civil War.
15. Who replaces Ulfric Stormcloak? Ulfric is replaced by Brunwulf Free-Winter, who also spreads false propaganda against Ulfric, claiming he only helps Nords in distress and ignores the pleas of others.