Can I Switch Sides from Stormcloaks to Imperials in Skyrim‘s Civil War?
As an avid Skyrim player, I‘ve had many fellow gamers ask me whether it‘s possible to switch allegiances in Skyrim‘s civil war after initially joining one faction. The short answer is yes, you can defect from the rebel Stormcloak faction to the Imperial Legion, but only during a small window of opportunity right after retrieving the Jagged Crown.
Let‘s do a deep dive analyzing all aspects around changing sides in Skyrim‘s bloody civil war.
Overview of Skyrim‘s Warring Factions
To switch sides, we first need to understand who‘s who. Skyrim‘s civil war erupts after the assassination of High King Torygg, pitting the secessionist Stormcloaks led by Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak against the Imperial Legion seeking to quell the rebellion and keep Skyrim under the Empire‘s rule.
The Stormcloaks value religious freedom to worship Talos and Nord culture without interference from the Thalmor elves enforcing the White-Gold Concordat banning Talos worship. They fight to drive out Imperial control and unify Skyrim as an independent kingdom under only Nord governance.
The Imperial Legion represents the Empire seeking to preserve unity across Tamriel and enforce the Concordat to avoid all-out war with the Aldmeri Dominion. Though unpopular with Nords, they view keeping Skyrim under the Empire as critical to mustering strength to stand against the elves.
When Is It Possible to Change Sides?
During the civil war campaign, a key turning point comes when each faction tasks you with retrieving the Jagged Crown artifact to legitimize their claim to rule Skyrim.
It is only upon returning the Crown that you have the option to deliver it to the opposition – this triggers unique betrayal dialogue and allows you to switch allegiances from Stormcloaks to Imperials or vice versa. Once you complete the follow-up mission, you become permanently locked into that faction.
Below is a breakdown of when exactly you can switch teams:
| Original Faction Joined | Can Betray to Other Faction | Get Locked In After |
| Stormcloaks | Upon returning Jagged Crown | Battle for Whiterun |
| Imperial Legion | Upon returning Jagged Crown | Rescue from Fort Neugrad |
As the table shows, the pivotal timing is after recovering the Crown but before the subsequent mission for your original faction. Change then or remain forever loyal!
Why Consider Changing Sides Strategically?
From a roleplaying perspective, defecting offers more flexibility in which side ultimately prevails to suit your character’s motivations. But there are also strategic and practical implications.
If the Imperials win, they stabilize Skyrim but enforce unpopular White-Gold policies fueling future discord. Stormcloak victory removes Imperial control, but risks weakening Skyrim against the ultimate Thalmor threat. Different outcomes favor either unified military might or Nord culture and divine worship.
Your tactical shift could impact this balance significantly if leveraged at a pivotal stage. For achievement hunters, switching also unlocks more side quests and property ownership dependent on who controls each Hold.
Analyzing the Differences Between Imperials vs Stormcloaks
When weighing your options, analyzing each faction‘s strengths, weaknesses and long term implications can inform your decision. Let‘s compare their key differences across several factors:
Control Over Holds & Jarls
| Imperials | Replace jarl with Imperial supporter where they capture, only Whiterun changes by default if they win war |
| Stormcloaks | Replace jarl with Nord supporter where they capture, 4 Holds have new jarl if they win war |
Post-War Rule & Military Readiness
| Imperials | Stable centralized leadership, united Legion better equipped against Thalmor threat |
| Stormcloaks | Decentralized Nord leadership prone to infighting, independent holds weaker resistance against Thalmor |
Based on this comparison, the Imperial side stands to grant you more side quest potential during the war with changing Hold rulers, while also offering arguably the strongest long term position against Thalmor incursion IF Skyrim remains united with the Empire after their victory.
These factors may prove pivotal during this dynamic stage of the civil war‘s storyline arc. Make your tactical choice wisely!
Parting Thoughts & Expert Tips
As one obsessed with analyzing every ruling permutation possible across the many playthroughs I‘ve completed, I believe siding with the seemingly weaker underdogs then betraying them to reinforce the Imperial ranks can make for an interesting arc where your Dragonborn shifts the balance of power at a critical moment!
My closing advice is to save right before turning over the Jagged Crown, then you can always reload and switch allegiances to see each side’s story unfold. Both offer fun roleplaying angles, but a hardened strategist may favor the stability of an Imperial victory.
Let me know if you have any other civil war questions! As a long-time gamer who has covered this storyline extensively, I welcome discussing different choices, implications, and outcomes related to Skyrim’s most morally ambiguous conflict.
