Guild Wars.

[ArgonianDunmer]

If they are really just scholars then why do they go to dangerous excavations like labyrinthian and saarthal? I admit they were slaughtered in the former but they must have had some experience to even think they could make it.

Most of them are scholars, but that doesn't mean they're not powerful Mages. I meant overrated because they seem to be clear favourites in the poll, when really they should not just because they can perform magic. They include apprentices who have not had time to hone their skills (look at their favour quests and you'll see they aren't that powerful) and scholars who are more bookish than anything, or more interested in the internal politics of the College than anything else.

I still think Thieves are overlook, I mean, they are connected to a woman who basically controls Riften and has friends in high places in the Empire. Imagine that they used those connections to outlaw Magic and tear down the College, or to increase the Empire's already present efforts to root out the DB. Either could happen, as the Nords already hate Magic and the Empire already hates the DB.

[jygglag]

I think thieves guild will win the war,although they don't actually fight themselves. They allied with the most influenced family in skyrim. The blackbriar, cruel sea, snow shod, battleborn, erikur. All of them has lot of money and link. They can hire lots of soldier, criminal fight for them.
Althought college also has lot of money and powerful fighter. They can,t use their money to improve their defence. There are many necromancer conjurer in the country side, some of them can be hired by the family. They are very strong too.
Dark brotherhood is the most fearsome enemy of normal person. But they are alreay weaken by night mother's disappearance. As we can see, imperial legion can easily raid their base, even companion can finish them easily. Thieves guild themselves are criminal. They know how to deal woth dark brotherhood.
Companion's strength is really questionable,silver hand can easily raid them. I think they are the first being ripped out.

[Hissien]

If they are really just scholars then why do they go to dangerous excavations like labyrinthian and saarthal? I admit they were slaughtered in the former but they must have had some experience to even think they could make it.

Most of them are scholars, but that doesn't mean they're not powerful Mages. I meant overrated because they seem to be clear favourites in the poll, when really they should not just because they can perform magic. They include apprentices who have not had time to hone their skills (look at their favour quests and you'll see they aren't that powerful) and scholars who are more bookish than anything, or more interested in the internal politics of the College than anything else.

I still think Thieves are overlook, I mean, they are connected to a woman who basically controls Riften and has friends in high places in the Empire. Imagine that they used those connections to outlaw Magic and tear down the College, or to increase the Empire's already present efforts to root out the DB. Either could happen, as the Nords already hate Magic and the Empire already hates the DB.

Honestly now I think you are overrating maven. She has connections with the thieves guild and DB not the other way around. She did nothing to help identify the "mysterious thief" that placed their mark on goldenglow's letter. Why would she help them afterwards?

the college is outside of the government of skyrim. It has been there for thousands of years, and been through the great collapse. While I do believe It would crumble to a sufficient force, no one is just going to "take it down". Though he normally stays out of it I believe the Augur would get involved when they try to crush him.

That said if they used catapults the college is dead. And the TG is the only one with the resources to get them. Despite what we'd like to believe I doubt the companions have the knowledge nor the ability to build even one catapult.

[Da_BossMaN69]

How? They're masters of war, and descendants of a war party that function as an entire army, Most of the circle are senior Legionaries who fought in the Great War, they would obviously have experience or knowledge over several weapons of war, catapults included. If a farmer can fire on accurately on whiterun, after joining the Stormcloaks what's preventing a blade from doing so?

Secondly if we are including connections and allies, then Whiterun gets involved, they're pride and respect for the Companions is immense, and if they got the hold on their side every other faction is dead, regardless of the wealth of the Thieves Guild. The organization itself is corrupt, and their criminals. Maybe if they had the Silver-Bloods helping them, than maybe but not the Black Briars.

Riften is a dying city that's only support comes from the Stormcloaks, if not them than Maven, it's just the Bravil of Skyrim. In this full blown scenario you turn the whole of Skyrim into a battle ground, and The Companions have just as much pull as the Thieves Guild, through Vignar and the Greymanes, and hell through the Stromcloaks, teh people who really have Riften under their control.

If you keep this local than an alliance between the TG and DB is likely, but still one would betray the other in time.

[Hissien]

But the companions face their foes head-on. Why would they even use catapults?

[POMC S117]

I know. Why do you keep saying they are the best if you think they need catapults to beat enemies?

[Da_BossMaN69]

Because how are you going to fight the College if they'll shut themselves up in the College.

This whole time every one supporting the College on this is making the claim they'd just sit behind their gates, if were talking an open field battle than undoubtedly the edge is given to the Companions.

You can't cast spells as effectively when your enemy is running at top speed all around you. And good luck using are of effect spells, you'd kill all your lesser members who couldn't handle the spell with a lower ward.

[ArgonianDunmer]

Honestly now I think you are overrating maven. She has connections with the thieves guild and DB not the other way around. She did nothing to help identify the "mysterious thief" that placed their mark on goldenglow's letter. Why would she help them afterwards?

the college is outside of the government of skyrim. It has been there for thousands of years, and been through the great collapse. While I do believe It would crumble to a sufficient force, no one is just going to "take it down". Though he normally stays out of it I believe the Augur would get involved when they try to crush him.

That said if they used catapults the college is dead. And the TG is the only one with the resources to get them. Despite what we'd like to believe I doubt the companions have the knowledge nor the ability to build even one catapult.

I never said that I think The TG would win, I'm backing the Companions or DB, but only slightly. My point is that all the Guilds are different, and have strengths for different reasons. None is a clear winner or loser, but the poll suggests that there are clear winners and losers.

[Derp53]

in a defensive fight the thieves guild would do just fine not merely because riften is their fortress but they hire alot of mercenaries and the town guard is there as well, lets not also forget the thieves guild is just as capable of guerilla warfare as the dark brotherhood. But one advantage is also that the tb has fences and contacts in other guilds as well.

[ArgonianDunmer]

Exactly, I wouldn't write them off any more than any other Guild

[Hissien]

Because how are you going to fight the College if they'll shut themselves up in the College.

This whole time every one supporting the College on this is making the claim they'd just sit behind their gates, if were talking an open field battle than undoubtedly the edge is given to the Companions.

You can't cast spells as effectively when your enemy is running at top speed all around you. And good luck using are of effect spells, you'd kill all your lesser members who couldn't handle the spell with a lower ward.

In an open field battle the companions could kill all the guilds at once. But SINCE they are scholars they would never do so, just like the skilled warriors would never assault the college.

[DarkEastwood]

I tested this by seeing how quickly my lvl52 could kill every member in the Guilds. Heres what the results are (if they were essential, I hit them until they were downed then didnt attaxk them again. Basically if they were downed I counted them as dead)

1) College
2) Dark Brotherhood
3) Thieves Guild
4) Bards
5) Companions

This may not be accurate, but I thought this shouldve been included lol

[Hissien]

Eh..... Doesn't count really IMO. But I wonder what would happen if we pitted them all against each other.

[Da_BossMaN69]

Magic is over powered in this game with out a doubt, the fact I can't take 3 hits of lightning bolt from a common wizard yet can take several fireballs from an elder dragon shows that something is wrong.

[AddictedtoMorrowind]

Game mechanics FTW!

Propaganda is strong.

[Frost Mage]

I'd have to go with the College, as they have the greatest army.

[ArgonianDunmer]

Eh..... Doesn't count really IMO. But I wonder what would happen if we pitted them all against each other.

Yeah that would vary from player to player, and one person taking on a Faction is not exactly like two Factions taking on each other.