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I have done some research and it seems that the High Elves seem to come out on top. I mean I'm not a big fan of them but they certainly seem to have a lot of sway in things and sort of have the empire in their pocket. They generally have tabs on everyone and most of the things that are going on in Skyrim. They even have their very own island which is a big advantage and lets them keep control of their society while keeping unwanted people out. So what do you think, I am not certain of their military strength to be honest but they have been fairly untouched for a long time according to lore so they may not even have much of one.

Basically mostly every other race has been through major strife in the last few hundred years so that is why I think the High Elves are in control.

Well I think it's more that the Imperials are in control, because they live in the seat of the Empire, but the High Elves get their way a lot because of the reasons you mentioned. They get to dictate laws and battles, and they have information that a lot of other groups to not have access to. So I wouldn't say they have the most military and political power, I'd just say that they (other than Imperials, of course) have the most influence with how things are in the Empire.

zzfallens wrote:Well I think it's more that the Imperials are in control, because they live in the seat of the Empire, but the High Elves get their way a lot because of the reasons you mentioned. They get to dictate laws and battles, and they have information that a lot of other groups to not have access to. So I wouldn't say they have the most military and political power, I'd just say that they (other than Imperials, of course) have the most influence with how things are in the Empire.

Good point, I guess you could say that the Imperials have the most military strength but the Nords are a close second. But for political power the High Elves are advantageous... kind of like a symbiotic relationship?

The Thalmor defeated the Empire in war. That says enough.

Eh...to take so much territory from the Empire and still have a position of advantage to speak of..you've got to have a great deal of military power. The Empire held on by the skin of its teeth militarily..I'd say that it was their politics that greatly helped them. The Thalmor are the new 500lb gorilla, and it's mad that humans have been eating all it's bananas.

Point #1: My take on why the Cyrodiilics were able to become 'Imperials' in the first place

Point #2: the biggest concern with humans, from a elf's point on view, is how quickly they reproduce. Humans are a much shorter-lived species compared to the elves, but they can create a much larger generation over any given span of time. Population pressure is humanity's greatest weapon against merethic domination. If the elves have won out at any point in history, it's only because the human races suffered some holocaust to their standing population.

I would say Redguards, Nords and Imperials have the greatest military strength
With Altmers having greatest political influence

The other races do not seem big on military with the exception of maybe defensive militia

You pepole do relize that while yes the "empire lost the war" its only cause they decide its best not to fight?
The high elfs took them by suprise only reasson they won.

Still, the Empire is crumbling, it's Legions are depleted, in fact every Legion is said to have lost at least half it's numbers, with several completely annihilated. What's more, Hammerfell and Skyrim (well, that's open to debate), have left the Empire, and with the Empire is further destabilised.

So while the Thalmor may not have had superior arms or military power at the time, the Thalmor have a degree of dominance on Tamriel at the current time, with alliances with both Khajiiti Kingdoms and free reign throughout the Empire to enforce the banning of Talos, but what's more, to work their mischief and further weaken their enemies.

Like it or not, the Thalmor are an important force in modern Tamriel, the Empire may have been able to hold them off in The Great War, but only at a great cost, and due to the fine leadership of men like Titus II.

That being said, the Empire isn't licked yet. Depending on how things go down in Skyrim, and whether they can remedy the situation with the Redguards, they might still have a chance of picking themselves back up.

As far as which individual race has the most power, it's the Altmer hands down, simply because the entire Aldmeri Dominion is almost all Altmer(albeit with a fair minority of collaborating Bosmer).

However, I don't think the Thalmor "beat" the Empire- remember, the Thalmor made demands first, including banning Talos worship, and the Empire refused. It was only after a protracted war, ending with the Empire bringing the Thalmor to a stalemate, that the Empire agreed to Aldmeri demands as part of a cease-fire. And even then, the Empire has only acceded in order to make time for themselves to regroup- from everything I've read they plan on eventually fighting back and redacting the White-Gold Concordat.

Getting back to the topic at hand, I'd say the second most powerful individual race would have to be the Redguards, as they were able to successfully stymie the Thalmor invasion of Hammerfell without any outside help(although living in a hostile environment like a desert surely helped).

Narzul wrote:The Thalmor defeated the Empire in war. That says enough.

No side actually won the war, the two forces (Imperial Empire and Aldmeri Dominion) signed the White-Gold Concordat ending the war. After the Imperials re-took the Imperial City and completely destroyed the Dominion's military force in Cyrodiil, the Imperials could have gone on the offensive and maybe even completely defeated the Aldmeri Dominion all together (who knows). The Empire renounced Hammerfell for continuing the war with the Aldmeri after the White-Gold Concordat, but even so the Redguards by themselves were able to defeat the Aldmeri within Hammerfell. So the way I look at it is that both the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion were to weak to continue and stalemated.

ANDREWS85 wrote:

Narzul wrote:The Thalmor defeated the Empire in war. That says enough.

No side actually won the war, the two forces (Imperial Empire and Aldmeri Dominion) signed the White-Gold Concordat ending the war. After the Imperials re-took the Imperial City and completely destroyed the Dominion's military force in Cyrodiil, the Imperials could have gone on the offensive and maybe even completely defeated the Aldmeri Dominion all together (who knows). The Empire renounced Hammerfell for continuing the war with the Aldmeri after the White-Gold Concordat, but even so the Redguards by themselves were able to defeat the Aldmeri within Hammerfell. So the way I look at it is that both the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion were to weak to continue and stalemated.

The Empire and the Dominion both see the concordat as a temporary stalemate, being wary of the surrounding nations (like Skyrim and Hammerfell) that would have eventually taken advantage of both armies. The Empire relied on a combination of military strength and soft power (diplomatic involvements and forts in other nations), while the Dominion is now using the same combination of strength and diplomacy (with a sociocultural/historical-racism twist instead of cosmopolitan imperialist). Currently, the Dominion is growing in diplomatic power while both seem to be fairly battered as far as military strength. Both have been stretched too thin, so they sit tight with this concordat to regain themselves. It seems the Aldmeri Dominion will come out on top unless there is an intervention of other nations, due to their rise in political power.

Just because those damn elves took the Imperial City and forced the Empire into a treaty does NOT mean they are the superior force.

A force can achieve results over a superior force through surprise tactics, this is the corner stone of raids and special operations. The Elves attacked the Empire off guard, a blade right to the heart completely unseen. The fact the Empire was able to absorb such heavy losses and such a damaging assault and still force their enemy to a stalemate is a statement of unbelievable military strength.

everar wrote:

ANDREWS85 wrote:

Narzul wrote:The Thalmor defeated the Empire in war. That says enough.

No side actually won the war, the two forces (Imperial Empire and Aldmeri Dominion) signed the White-Gold Concordat ending the war. After the Imperials re-took the Imperial City and completely destroyed the Dominion's military force in Cyrodiil, the Imperials could have gone on the offensive and maybe even completely defeated the Aldmeri Dominion all together (who knows). The Empire renounced Hammerfell for continuing the war with the Aldmeri after the White-Gold Concordat, but even so the Redguards by themselves were able to defeat the Aldmeri within Hammerfell. So the way I look at it is that both the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion were to weak to continue and stalemated.

The Empire and the Dominion both see the concordat as a temporary stalemate, being wary of the surrounding nations (like Skyrim and Hammerfell) that would have eventually taken advantage of both armies. The Empire relied on a combination of military strength and soft power (diplomatic involvements and forts in other nations), while the Dominion is now using the same combination of strength and diplomacy (with a sociocultural/historical-racism twist instead of cosmopolitan imperialist). Currently, the Dominion is growing in diplomatic power while both seem to be fairly battered as far as military strength. Both have been stretched too thin, so they sit tight with this concordat to regain themselves. It seems the Aldmeri Dominion will come out on top unless there is an intervention of other nations, due to their rise in political power.

I actually disagree with your last sentence. I think if Skyrim stays loyal to the Empire then in the end the Empire should be able to regain everything it lost in the White-Gold Concordat, if not more.

MichaelTh1rte3n wrote:Just because those damn elves took the Imperial City and forced the Empire into a treaty does NOT mean they are the superior force.

A force can achieve results over a superior force through surprise tactics, this is the corner stone of raids and special operations. The Elves attacked the Empire off guard, a blade right to the heart completely unseen. The fact the Empire was able to absorb such heavy losses and such a damaging assault and still force their enemy to a stalemate is a statement of unbelievable military strength.

That's how I see it too.

The one big advantage for the Thalmor is their skills at manipulation and subterfuge, which would make Boethiah proud. They took out every Blade agent in the Dominion with apparent ease. They have their hand in both sides of the Skyrim civil war. The only counter to them is the Penitus Oculatus which (their near-extermination of the Dark Brotherhood notwithstanding) come off more as a glorified gang of hitmen than an effective intelligence organization.

The Nords. Let the armies of the world come; Skyrim has the Dragonborn, and all else is as snow before the gale!!!

enyamerT wrote:The one big advantage for the Thalmor is their skills at manipulation and subterfuge, which would make Boethiah proud. They took out every Blade agent in the Dominion with apparent ease. They have their hand in both sides of the Skyrim civil war.

Spoiler:

thanks to their "Manchurian Candidate", Ulfric Stormcloak

The only counter to them is the Penitus Oculatus which (their near-extermination of the Dark Brotherhood notwithstanding) come off more as a glorified gang of hitmen than an effective intelligence organization.

I'd have to agree with enyamerT here. As much as I hate to say it, the Thalmor have the upper hand in Tamriel right now. Whether or not they have the most sheer power is yet to be seen, but unless multiple nations react to them in more ways than just backing off, then they seem to hold the most rigid position.

I think the Thalmor went to far to fast and now are going to collaspe and give an opening for who ever won the war

I think so, too. Although I only think they will collapse if more effort is given from other nations to push them over. Deliver the last metaphorical axe swing to the tree.

everar wrote:

ANDREWS85 wrote:

Narzul wrote:No side actually won the war, the two forces (Imperial Empire and Aldmeri Dominion) signed the White-Gold Concordat ending the war. After the Imperials re-took the Imperial City and completely destroyed the Dominion's military force in Cyrodiil, the Imperials could have gone on the offensive and maybe even completely defeated the Aldmeri Dominion all together (who knows). The Empire renounced Hammerfell for continuing the war with the Aldmeri after the White-Gold Concordat, but even so the Redguards by themselves were able to defeat the Aldmeri within Hammerfell. So the way I look at it is that both the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion were to weak to continue and stalemated.

The Empire and the Dominion both see the concordat as a temporary stalemate, being wary of the surrounding nations (like Skyrim and Hammerfell) that would have eventually taken advantage of both armies. The Empire relied on a combination of military strength and soft power (diplomatic involvements and forts in other nations), while the Dominion is now using the same combination of strength and diplomacy (with a sociocultural/historical-racism twist instead of cosmopolitan imperialist). Currently, the Dominion is growing in diplomatic power while both seem to be fairly battered as far as military strength. Both have been stretched too thin, so they sit tight with this concordat to regain themselves. It seems the Aldmeri Dominion will come out on top unless there is an intervention of other nations, due to their rise in political power.

I actually disagree with your last sentence. I think if Skyrim stays loyal to the Empire then in the end the Empire should be able to regain everything it lost in the White-Gold Concordat, if not more.

Well I disagree with your disagreement, because I agree with you, and what you say seems to agree with my last sentence.

Militarily, it's a tie between a united Skyrim and a united Hammerfell. Diplomatically, it's definitely Cyrodiil.

What about the argonian military that took over morrowind?
They are never described in what their capable of.
I would assume with their ability to breath underwater they could be excellent guerrilla warriors.

Rynkar wrote:What about the argonian military that took over morrowind?
They are never described in what their capable of.
I would assume with their ability to breath underwater they could be excellent guerrilla warriors.

They were led by the Hist..which I believe are no longer are there.

FrostyInferno016 wrote:

Rynkar wrote:What about the argonian military that took over morrowind?
They are never described in what their capable of.
I would assume with their ability to breath underwater they could be excellent guerrilla warriors.

They were led by the History..which I believe are no longer are there.

the Hist* (I take offense since almost every character I made was Argonian ) But this is something I wanted to know too. You'd think that practically taking out one of the most resistant and strong races (Dunmer) would make you a power house. Plus I can see a Beast race uprising against all of the Mer/Men, that IMO would be a sick DLC.

The Argonians have always been called great guerrilla fighters, I'd like to see how this is done in the next game.