The Undisputed Champion: Ranking the Elder Scrolls Protagonists by Power
The debate rages on across Tamriel and beyond: Who is the strongest protagonist in the Elder Scrolls universe? While each hero boasts unique skills and accomplishments, the title ultimately belongs to the Last Dragonborn from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This isn’t simply about slaying Alduin; it’s about the cumulative potential, power, and versatility the Dragonborn possesses. Unlike other protagonists bound by specific destinies or limited by their innate abilities, the Dragonborn’s power is virtually limitless, shaped by player choice and fueled by a dragon’s soul.
Why the Last Dragonborn Reigns Supreme
Several factors contribute to the Last Dragonborn’s claim to the throne:
- Dragon Soul Absorption: The Dragonborn’s defining trait is the ability to absorb the souls of slain dragons. This not only permanently empowers them but also unlocks Dragon Shouts, powerful vocalizations that manipulate reality itself. No other protagonist possesses this intrinsic and scalable power.
- Versatility and Skill Mastery: Skyrim offers unparalleled freedom in character development. The Dragonborn can become a master mage, a deadly warrior, a stealthy assassin, or any combination thereof. This adaptability makes them prepared for any threat. They can master every skill in the game at max level 252.
- Daedric Prince Interactions: While other heroes may interact with Daedric Princes, the Dragonborn can actively oppose or serve them, gaining powerful artifacts and forging alliances (or rivalries) that further enhance their capabilities.
- Defeating Alduin, the World-Eater: While the Nerevarine slays gods in Morrowind, Alduin represents a threat to the entire world, including all of Nirn itself. The Dragonborn’s victory signifies not only personal strength but also the preservation of reality.
- Mastery of Dragon Shouts: Dragon Shouts are not just simple spells; they are the language of the dragons, imbued with raw power. The Dragonborn can learn and master a wide variety of Shouts, each with unique effects ranging from elemental attacks to manipulating time and space. The Marked for Death Shout is especially powerful.
- Access to Powerful Artifacts: The Dragonborn has access to some of the most powerful artifacts in the history of Tamriel. Some of these artifacts are the Skull of Corruption, Dawnbreaker, the Black Star, and Savior’s Hide.
Ranking the Other Contenders
While the Last Dragonborn takes the crown, let’s consider the other protagonists:
- The Nerevarine (Morrowind): A strong contender, the Nerevarine defeats Dagoth Ur and potentially destroys the Tribunal Gods. However, their power is tied to a specific prophecy and geographical location.
- The Hero of Kvatch (Oblivion): A formidable hero who ends the Oblivion Crisis. The Hero of Kvatch can potentially become Sheogorath, but that ascension is arguably a transformation, not a demonstration of inherent power. However, becoming a Daedric Prince makes him a thousand times stronger than the Dragonborn.
- The Eternal Champion (Arena): The first Elder Scrolls protagonist. This hero is powerful and defeats Jagar Tharn. However, their feats are less defined and more reliant on classic RPG tropes.
- The Agent (Daggerfall): The Agent’s actions reshape the political landscape of High Rock, but their personal power level is less emphasized than their strategic influence.
- The Prisoner (Online): The player character in Elder Scrolls Online is undeniably powerful and faces world-ending threats. However, their power is often scaled to accommodate multiplayer gameplay, making direct comparisons difficult.
The Importance of Player Agency
Ultimately, the strength of any Elder Scrolls protagonist is shaped by the player. However, the Last Dragonborn’s inherent potential, combined with Skyrim‘s open-ended gameplay, allows for the greatest possible expression of power. The Last Dragonborn surpasses all the others due to versatility, skill, artifact, and dragon shout availability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the discussion:
1. Is the Nerevarine more powerful than the Last Dragonborn because they kill gods?
While the Nerevarine confronts god-like figures, the Dragonborn faces a world-ending threat in Alduin. Moreover, the Tribunal Gods, while powerful, are not on the same level as the Aedra or Daedra. It’s a matter of scale and the nature of the threat.
2. Can the Hero of Kvatch, as Sheogorath, defeat the Last Dragonborn?
This is a complex hypothetical. Sheogorath possesses immense Daedric power. If the Hero of Kvatch fully embraces their role as Sheogorath, they would likely have the upper hand. However, the Dragonborn’s ability to absorb dragon souls and resist magical effects could offer some resistance.
3. What if the Nerevarine absorbed dragon souls?
This is a compelling “what if.” If the Nerevarine possessed the Dragonborn’s ability, they would become an even greater force. However, without that inherent ability, they remain limited by their destiny and the specific circumstances of Morrowind.
4. How does Miraak compare to the Last Dragonborn?
Miraak, the first Dragonborn, is a powerful antagonist in Skyrim. However, the Last Dragonborn ultimately defeats him, proving their superiority. Miraak’s power is significant, but the Last Dragonborn surpasses him in skill and determination.
5. Is Alduin the strongest dragon the Dragonborn faces?
While Alduin is a unique and powerful entity, some dragons in Skyrim may possess greater raw strength or unique abilities. However, Alduin’s role as the World-Eater and his connection to Akatosh make him a uniquely significant foe.
6. Can the Dragonborn defeat a Daedric Prince?
While permanently destroying a Daedric Prince is impossible, the Dragonborn can banish them back to Oblivion. This requires significant power and often involves the use of Daedric artifacts.
7. What is the strongest Dragon Shout in Skyrim?
While personal preference plays a role, many consider Marked for Death to be the most powerful offensive Shout due to its armor reduction and damage-over-time effect. Dragonrend is also crucial for bringing dragons down to earth.
8. Does the Dragonborn’s race affect their power?
While racial abilities offer slight advantages, they are ultimately negligible compared to the Dragonborn’s inherent power and the player’s choices in developing their character.
9. Is there a level cap in Skyrim?
Technically, there isn’t a hard level cap in Skyrim. Players can continue leveling up skills and increasing their overall level indefinitely, though the rate of progression slows down significantly at higher levels. One Reddit user completed a 100% playthrough of Skyrim after 700 hours.
10. How does the Dragonborn’s power scale throughout the game?
The Dragonborn’s power increases dramatically throughout the game as they absorb dragon souls, learn new Shouts, acquire powerful equipment, and master various skills.
11. Are there any enemies stronger than Alduin in Skyrim lore?
Yes, some lore characters and entities are considered more powerful than Alduin. Some believe Vulthuryol is possibly stronger than Alduin himself.
12. What is the role of Akatosh in the Dragonborn’s power?
Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time, is the source of the Dragonborn’s soul and their ability to absorb dragon souls. The Dragonborn is essentially a shard of Akatosh, granting them immense power.
13. How does The Elder Scrolls Online protagonist compare?
The Elder Scrolls Online protagonist is powerful, but their power is diluted by the need for balance in a multiplayer environment. They face significant threats, but their individual impact is less pronounced than the Dragonborn’s.
14. What is the significance of Sovngarde in the Dragonborn’s journey?
Sovngarde is the afterlife for Nords who die honorably in battle. The Dragonborn’s journey to Sovngarde to defeat Alduin demonstrates their courage and their connection to the ancient Nord heroes.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore of The Elder Scrolls?
Excellent resources include GamesLearningSociety.org, the Elder Scrolls Wiki, and various lore-focused forums and communities. The Games Learning Society website offers valuable resources for understanding the deeper aspects of game narratives and lore.
Conclusion
The Last Dragonborn stands as the strongest protagonist in the Elder Scrolls series due to their unique ability to absorb dragon souls, master Dragon Shouts, and shape their destiny through player choice. While other heroes have achieved great feats, the Dragonborn’s potential for power and versatility remains unmatched. The debate may continue, but the evidence points firmly towards the Dragonborn as the undisputed champion of Tamriel.