Hadvar or Ralof: Which Path Should You Choose in Skyrim’s Opening?
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The age-old question for any budding Dragonborn thrust into the tumultuous world of Skyrim: Hadvar or Ralof? This initial choice, made in the fiery chaos of Helgen’s destruction, sets the stage for your adventure. While the long-term consequences are minimal, understanding the short-term benefits and minor differences can help you craft the perfect beginning to your Skyrim saga.
The straight answer? It truly doesn’t matter from a grand narrative perspective. Skyrim is designed to be highly flexible. Both paths lead to the same main quest, and you’re free to join either the Imperials or the Stormcloaks (or neither!) regardless of your initial choice. However, your decision does impact your immediate gameplay, offering slightly different loot, enemies, and introductory experiences. Ultimately, the “better” choice boils down to personal preference and playstyle. Do you prefer a slightly easier start with more loot to sell, or a slightly more efficient start focused on character skills and skill tree progression? Do you have a preferred side in the upcoming civil war?
The Hadvar Route: Imperial Order and Abundant Loot
Choosing Hadvar means siding, at least initially, with the Imperial Legion. You’ll flee through Helgen’s keep alongside him, battling Stormcloak soldiers and honing your skills against them.
Benefits of Choosing Hadvar:
- More Loot: Hadvar’s path offers a greater quantity of weapons and armor, particularly two-handed weapons and basic Imperial armor. This translates to more items to sell, providing an initial boost to your gold reserves.
- Easier Early Game: Fighting Stormcloaks in Helgen is generally considered slightly easier than fighting Imperials. The Stormcloaks tend to be a bit more aggressive, which can be overwhelming for novice players.
- Initial Connection to Riverwood: You’ll be introduced to Alvor, Hadvar’s uncle in Riverwood. Alvor is a skilled blacksmith who can provide you with valuable training in smithing and a place to sleep. This offers a safe haven and practical assistance for your early adventures.
- Free Ingot and Armor: As the text mentioned, the “free ingots and some of the armor pieces on his table” is a minor benefit to going with Hadvar.
The Ralof Route: Stormcloak Rebellion and Early Skill Building
Opting for Ralof aligns you, at least for the escape from Helgen, with the Stormcloak Rebellion. You’ll fight your way through Imperial soldiers, offering a different set of early-game challenges and opportunities.
Benefits of Choosing Ralof:
- Enhanced Skill Leveling: Ralof’s path presents opportunities to exploit glitches for skill leveling. While these glitches might be patched in future versions, they can provide a significant head start in skills like sneak, archery, and one-handed weapons. You can repeatedly sneak attack Ralof as he leads you through the beginning to level up your sneak skill without negative consequences.
- Stormcloak Introduction: Following Ralof provides an immediate introduction to the Stormcloak faction. While you can still join the Imperials later, this path offers a smoother transition into the Stormcloak questline if that’s your eventual goal.
- Initial Connection to Riverwood: You’ll be introduced to Gerdur, Ralof’s sister in Riverwood. Gerdur runs a lumber mill and can provide you with lodging.
- Potentially Better Gear: While you get more sellable gear with Hadvar, some claim that you get better quality gear with Ralof.
The Core Takeaway
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Consider your preferred playstyle and your long-term goals for your character. Do you want a slightly easier start with more loot? Choose Hadvar. Do you want to explore skill-leveling glitches and potentially align with the Stormcloaks? Choose Ralof.
Beyond Helgen: The Bigger Picture
Regardless of who you choose, remember that this decision is only the first step in your Skyrim journey. You are still free to join the side you didn’t choose later on in the Civil War questline. The choice of Ralof or Hadvar is more about the journey than the destination.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does my choice permanently lock me into the Imperial or Stormcloak faction?
No! The decision to follow Hadvar or Ralof in Helgen has no bearing on which faction you ultimately join in the Civil War. You can freely choose to side with either the Imperials or the Stormcloaks, or even remain neutral and avoid the conflict altogether.
2. What happens to Hadvar/Ralof after I escape Helgen?
If you choose Hadvar, you won’t see Ralof again (unless you trigger him later in the Civil War questline if you switched sides) and vice versa. They each head to Riverwood after escaping Helgen, but their paths diverge.
3. Are Hadvar and Ralof essential characters? Can they die?
During the Helgen escape, both Hadvar and Ralof are essential characters, meaning they cannot die. However, after that, only Hadvar is considered an essential character. If you do not side with either side, then both will survive.
4. Can I romance Hadvar or Ralof?
Unfortunately, neither Hadvar nor Ralof are eligible for marriage in Skyrim.
5. Is there any difference in the quests I receive based on my initial choice?
There are no significant differences in the main quests based on your initial choice. The only differences are the introductory dialogue with Alvor/Gerdur in Riverwood.
6. Is one path significantly easier than the other in terms of combat?
The Hadvar path, fighting Stormcloaks, is generally considered slightly easier for new players. The Stormcloaks can be more aggressive.
7. Will choosing Ralof affect my reputation with the Imperial Legion, and vice versa?
No. Your reputation with either the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks is not affected by your initial choice.
8. Is it possible to complete both the Imperial and Stormcloak questlines in a single playthrough?
No. You must choose one side in the Civil War and complete their questline. Once you commit to one side, the other’s questline becomes unavailable.
9. What if I want to avoid the Civil War altogether?
You can choose to remain neutral and avoid completing the Civil War questline. This allows you to focus on other aspects of the game.
10. Can I meet both Alvor and Gerdur in Riverwood regardless of my initial choice?
Yes, you can encounter both Alvor and Gerdur regardless of whether you followed Hadvar or Ralof. However, you’ll only have an initial connection with the one you were introduced to during the escape from Helgen.
11. Are there any unique items or rewards that I can only get by choosing one path over the other?
There are no unique items or rewards that are exclusive to either path.
12. Does my race influence which path I should choose?
Your race has no impact on the benefits of either path. However, your personal roleplay might push you towards one side or the other. For example, a Nord character might feel more aligned with the Stormcloaks’ cause.
13. Why does Hadvar call Ralof a traitor?
Hadvar’s comment is likely due to the fact that both are Nords who chose different sides during a moment of civil unrest. Hadvar considers Ralof a traitor for rebelling against the Empire.
14. What happens if I just run away from both Hadvar and Ralof?
If you run away from both characters as soon as possible, you will be able to escape the cave alone. This will still complete the quest, and the next step will be available.
15. Can you switch to the other companion once you are already on the way out of the cave with one?
No, once you have gone far enough down one path, it locks you into the storyline.