In a game like Skyrim, factions really define immersion and gameplay. Most of the factions introduced are powerful and give the option for the Dragonborn to join them, but some play major roles without ever allowing the player to becoming a member. Still, even without access or membership, many of Skyrim's factions are iconic and well-written in their own regard.
When trying to define the best factions in Skyrim, there's a few conditions to consider. The best factions tend to be fun, interesting and with plenty of lore behind them if they don't allow the Dragonborn to join. The best joinable factions in Skyrim should feel immersive and deep, and force the player to work hard and care for its members and status in the long run. With that, here are the best factions in Skyrim, in terms of writing, design and immersion, and occasionally, potential.
Updated on May 3, 2021 by Anastasia Maillot: As players all over the world continue to enjoy Bethesda's open-world RPG, it was time to reevaluate our ranking of the best Factions in Skyrim. With Skyrim now officially available on Xbox Game Pass many fans have returned to one of the genre's high watermarks.
10 House Telvanni
Players with the Dragonborn DLC will be familiar with Neloth Telvanni, and his role in the main quest of the DLC. Better yet, those who are fans of Morrowind and know quite a bit about the political affairs of Dunmer will also know just how prestigious the Telvanni name is, and what an absolute honor it is to receive membership to the family following a quest for Neloth.
After completing Old Friends for Neloth on Solstheim, the Dragonborn will be granted the Telvanni faction membership. This basically makes them high nobility in Morrowind, and given that the Telvanni were a ferocious and powerful family well-known for their knowledge in magic, it's a shame the DLC doesn't expand on this faction further. On the bright side, having Neloth as a friend is always a bonus given how incredibly well-written he is.
9 Black-Briar Family
The best Skyrim factions based on family blood are tricky ones, because it's natural why it would be impossible for the Dragonborn to join them, unless it was through marriage. However, the Black-Briar family has such an immense influence over the politics and economy of the province that it's impossible to ignore its role.
Maven Black-Briar is a fantastically written character. She's both hated and feared by players, and at the end of the day, she gets things done. Maven is so cutthroat with her business strategies she's even ready to sacrifice her own family members by letting them rot in prison cells in order to protect her name. Forget about Jarls and the Empire, Maven Black-Briar and her family have more power than most players can even imagine.
8 Dark Brotherhood
Hands down, the Dark Brotherhood is one of the best factions inSkyrim. Not only do you get to be a sneaky assassin, but you also gain access to Cicero, and the Dark Brotherhood initiates who are arguably the best followers in Skyrim. Unlike many other faction questlines, when you become the leader, it doesn't feel rushed because the storyline is well-paced and the Dragonborn gets to prove their worth.
In addition, players gain the ability to use Spectral Assassin and acquire the Ancient Shrouded Armor set which, when fully equipped, gives players full poison resistance, muffled boots, a 35% increase in bow damage, and doubles the damage dealt by one-handed sneak attacks. Finally, you get Shadowmere. Who doesn’t want a horse that emerges from a black pool, will probably never die, and always has your back in a fight?
7 Greybeards
Like the Blades, the Dragonborn cannot join the Greybeards because they exist to serve him. They are elders trained in the way of the voice, and their leader is Paarthurnax. Peace is their motto. They follow the Way of the Voice, a creed which preaches the Thu’um should only be used to worship the gods.
After the peace negotiations between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials, the Blades will demand that you kill Paarthurnax for his old war crimes. Their argument isn’t convincing. Paarthurnax is a joy to talk to and went against his dragon nature to try and convince other dragons to follow the Way of the Voice. Not to mention, the Greybeards teach the Dragonborn Words of Power and help them find new ones. It's easy to always side with their timeless wisdom, versus the bloodthirsty attitude of the Blades.
6 Thieves Guild
The Thieves Guild is Skyrim's best faction so far when it comes to effort, immersion and content. You may have to do despicable things, like framing poor Brand-Shei, but it’s worth being a lowlife when the questline rewards you with Nightingale Armor and Chillrend, the amazing leveled glass sword. Joining the Thieves Guild also allows the Dragonborn to bribe guards and sell stolen goods to a number of fences.
In addition, the questline for the guild comes to a satisfying conclusion. The player gets to deal with Mercer Frey, and instead of automatically being rewarded with the title of Guildmaster, they are forced to earn it. The Dragonborn actually has to complete a handful of quests to restore the Thieves Guild’s influence in several other cities. Only then can they take the lead.
5 The Forsworn
The Forsworn are relatively strong and annoying as far as enemies go, but it is hard not to sympathize with them. They view the Reach as their ancestral land, and thanks to the Nords and the Empire, they lost control of it. Then, when they finally managed to take back Markarth, Ulfric—back when he was an Imperial soldier—and his men were hired by the Jarl to take back Markarth.
It’s too bad the Forsworn are not a joinable faction in Skyrim. They are the only faction with enough sense to oppose all political groups, and their cause is seemingly noble. Instead of choosing between the Stormcloaks, the Imperials, and peace, there should have been a fourth option to help the Forsworn regain Markarth and exact their revenge for the Markarth Incident.
4 Psijic Order
Before the College of Winterhold and Mages Guilds, there was the Psijic Order. The ancient order is credited with developing mysticism, which alone earns them the best magic-centered guild in Skyrim. The Dragonborn encounters several members of the Psijic Order during the College of Winterhold questline. After the Eye of Magnus is safely removed from the College, it is revealed that the Order intended for the Dragonborn to become the Arch-Mage.
However, Bethesda could have done so much more. Imagine if, after working hard as the Arch-Mage, the Dragonborn were recruited by the Psijic Order after mastering a school of magic. It could be a sub-faction similar to that of the Companion’s Circle or the Thieves Guild’s Nightingales. Alternatively, they could force the Dragonborn to prove that they are capable of handling the College’s affairs before they can take over.
3 The Dawnguard
TheDawnguardDLC added fresh new content toSkyrimalong with two new factions, the Dawnguard and the Volkihar Vampire Clan. The Dawnguard faction exist to kill vampires and to stop the faction led by Lord Harkon from blotting out the sun.
Joining the vampire hunters gives the Dragonborn access to Fort Dawnguard, where they will find master trainers skilled in Restoration, Smithing, Heavy Armor, and Archery. Players also gain access to 6 potential followers, including two adorable husky war dogs, and a multitude of spells (particularly those targeting the undead), armor and weapons—the crossbow is especially useful. It's also possible to hire Armored Trolls as temporary followers.
2 The Volkihar Clan
The Volkihar Clan is a vampire faction led by Lord Harkon, the primary antagonist of the main questline. Harkon has no tolerance for vampires or mere mortals. He’s a jerk and ultimately betrays the Dragonborn. However, you don’t join the Volkihar for Harkon’s wisdom; you join to become a Vampire Lord.
Vampire Lords have their own skill tree with eleven available perks—including the ability to summon gargoyles or to fully restore their health by killing an enemy with a power bite attack. Couple this with the Ring of the Beast (grants user 100 extra health points and increases claw damage by 20), the Ring of Erudite (grants user an additional 100 magicka and speeds up magicka regeneration), and your Death Hound followers, and the Vampire Lord is nearly unstoppable. The Dragonborn also gets to call Castle Volkihar their home.
1 The Thalmor
Everyone knows the evil Thalmor faction are the real threat, but they are too preoccupied with each other to do anything about it. It's the Thalmor who wished to eradicate the worship of Talos. It was also the Thalmor who captured Ulfric Stormcloak during the Great War and released him so that he could further divide the Empire.
In addition, the Thalmor are pretty cool and actually believable villains, which is why they rank high among the best Skyrim factions. Members get to wear stylish robes and, since they are high elves, spellcasting comes easily to them. At the very least, it would be great for Altmer players to be able to be agents for the Dominion. They could lurk in the shadows, inciting incidents instead of seeking to resolve them.