Skyrim’s Civil War and Season Unending: A Veteran’s Guide to Quest Order

The question of whether to complete the Civil War questline before or after Season Unending in Skyrim is a classic dilemma for players. The short answer is: it’s generally recommended to complete the Civil War questline before initiating Season Unending. This minimizes potential bugs and ensures a smoother, more narratively consistent experience. Season Unending, part of the main quest, introduces a temporary truce, and having a completed Civil War beforehand avoids complexities that the truce was designed to solve.

Why Finish the Civil War First?

Avoiding Quest Conflicts and Bugs

Skyrim, bless its buggy heart, isn’t always the most graceful when dealing with overlapping questlines. Starting Season Unending before finishing the Civil War can lead to unforeseen glitches and inconsistencies. Jarls can end up in odd locations, dialogue options might become unavailable, and the overall flow of the game can become disrupted. While many players have successfully navigated this order without issues, it’s a risk best avoided, especially for your first playthrough.

Narrative Cohesion

Completing the Civil War allows you to play out the conflict to its natural conclusion before the Dragon Crisis forces a temporary truce. This feels more narratively satisfying. You’ve resolved one major conflict (Imperials vs. Stormcloaks) before moving on to the even greater threat of Alduin and his dragons. Season Unending is meant to be a temporary measure, not a starting point for the Civil War. It only makes sense if both sides are currently battling, and a desperate solution is necessary to unite against the dragon menace.

The Unending Truce

Season Unending is a temporary truce, but doing the Civil War after this truce starts can be a jarring experience. While the truce is meant to resolve issues in the main quest of Skyrim, you might find yourself facing a weird narrative choice. This becomes a temporary solution when, in reality, you are still trying to find a side to fight for.

Strategic Advantage

From a strategic perspective, completing the Civil War first gives you a sense of control over the political landscape of Skyrim. You can shape the future of the holds based on your choices, which adds weight to the subsequent negotiations during Season Unending. You get to see the consequences of your actions play out before being forced into a truce scenario.

Season Unending and The Civil War: Why Not Both?

When to Consider Season Unending First

There is one specific circumstance where you might consider doing Season Unending first: if you’re genuinely undecided about which side to join in the Civil War. Season Unending offers a chance to interact with both Imperial and Stormcloak leaders, giving you a closer look at their ideologies and motivations. It is not a big difference, but some users might want to know which side to fight for. In this case, you might find Season Unending to be a great option. However, even in this scenario, it’s still generally safer to complete at least the initial stages of both the Imperial and Stormcloak questlines (up to the point where you’re asked to commit to one side) to get a better feel for each faction.

The ‘Neutral’ Dragonborn

You don’t have to join either side. Ignoring the Civil War altogether and proceeding with the main quest is perfectly viable. Season Unending then becomes a way to negotiate a truce between two factions you haven’t personally aligned with.

Civil War and Season Unending: Important Considerations

Skyrim’s Unpredictability

Ultimately, Skyrim’s stability can vary wildly from player to player. What works for one person might cause problems for another. Saving frequently is always good practice.

Mods and Their Impact

If you’re using mods that significantly alter the Civil War or the main quest, these recommendations may not apply. Always check the mod descriptions for specific compatibility information.

Personal Preference

There’s no “right” way to play Skyrim. If you’re more interested in experiencing the main quest first, then go for it. Just be aware of the potential consequences and be prepared to troubleshoot any issues that might arise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you complete the Civil War after Season Unending? Yes, but you must finish the main questline first. Once the Dragon Crisis is resolved, you can resume the Civil War questline.

2. Can you do a few quests of the Civil War before Season Unending? Absolutely. In fact, this is often recommended, especially if you are trying to decide which side to join. Just avoid fully committing and completing the questline before initiating Season Unending.

3. What happens if you do the Civil War before the main quest? Nothing inherently negative. You simply resolve the political conflict before dealing with the dragon threat. You do not get any extra rewards for it.

4. Does completing the Civil War in Skyrim affect other quests? It can indirectly. Certain quests may be unavailable or altered depending on which side you support and which Jarls are in power.

5. Can you peacefully end the Skyrim Civil War? Sadly, no. The game’s narrative requires one side to emerge victorious. Season Unending provides a temporary truce, but the conflict will resume if you haven’t already chosen a side.

6. Does it matter who you side with, the Stormcloaks or Imperials? It depends on your roleplaying preferences. Each side offers different quests, perspectives, and outcomes. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side. Pick Imperial if you want to play a character who is originally from a place aside from Skyrim. 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.

7. What changes if the Stormcloaks win? The Jarls of Skyrim’s holds are replaced according to Ulfric’s preferences, shifting the political landscape of the province.

8. Can you lose the Civil War in Skyrim? Not in the vanilla game. Whichever side you choose will ultimately win. However, mods may introduce the possibility of defeat.

9. Does the Civil War affect your Thane status in Skyrim? Yes. If the Jarl of a hold you are Thane of is replaced due to the Civil War, you will lose your Thane title in that hold.

10. Who is supposed to win the Civil War in Skyrim? The game does not enforce a specific outcome. While some argue that the Empire is the more logical victor, the Dragonborn’s choices determine the winner.

11. What happens if you don’t join the Imperials or Stormcloaks? You can completely ignore the Civil War and focus on other quests. Season Unending will still allow you to negotiate a truce.

12. Will I lose my house in Whiterun if I join the Stormcloaks? No, you will not lose your house. However, during the Battle for Whiterun, the front door may become locked.

13. Can you do Season Unending after the Battle of Whiterun? Yes.

14. Is Ulfric Stormcloak essential after the Civil war? As a member of the Stormcloaks, Ulfric is an Essential NPC and therefore can’t be killed.

15. Can you negotiate a truce in Skyrim? If you have yet to bring the Skyrim Civil War to a conclusion, you can bring the conflict to a temporary halt by calling peace talks.

In conclusion, while the order in which you complete the Civil War and Season Unending quests in Skyrim is ultimately up to you, finishing the Civil War first offers a smoother, more coherent, and less buggy experience. It lets you shape the political landscape of Skyrim before being forced into a temporary truce, and avoids potential conflicts between the two questlines. But, as with all things Skyrim, experimentation and personal preference are key!

Delving into the intricate designs of video games like Skyrim can offer significant learning opportunities. For example, you can better understand how narrative structures influence decision-making and problem-solving. To explore these concepts further, you can visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.