All Joinable Factions, Ranked From Worst To Best

From Riften to Solitude, Skyrim is rife with opportunities to make new friends and forge connections. Assassin’s guilds, armies, institutes of learning — the game has them all. As players make their way through the world, they must decide which factions will be most useful and best suit the character they’re roleplaying.

Some of these factions and guilds provide the Dragonborn with huge advantages and have compelling storylines that immerse the player in the world. Others, meanwhile, feel bland and boring — or have core philosophies that just don’t sit right. Here’s a list of every faction the player can join, ranked from worst to best.

Updated September 22, 2025 by Demaris Oxman: Skyrim may be almost fifteen years old, but that doesn’t stop it from still being wildly popular today. Part of the reason for this is down to the game having so many role-playing options. Players can customize their experience to their character, and fit them into a perfect mold of what they imagined that run to be. What’s more, there is always plenty of room for another playthrough after the first, that involves little crossover in quests, thanks to joining different factions.

Some guilds are more interesting than others, some are more relevant to gameplay, and an unfortunate few are neither. However, whether for practicality or simply roleplaying, a player may have a reason to join any one of them. With that in mind, this updated ranking of Skyrim’s guilds includes all the reasons players might (or might not) consider joining up, as well as the steps the Dragonborn must take to be accepted into the fold.

14

The Bards’ College

An Interesting Concept with Wasted Potential

Skyrim’s Bards’ College storyline (if it can even be called a storyline) feels like wasted potential. A few errand quests here and there, a brief festival event, and that’s it. There’s none of the wild romp that players expected from this guild.

Even though the player is technically considered a bard after joining this faction, they gain no new skills to demonstrate this. Bard Dragonborns can’t play instruments, nor sing to a tavern. An entertainment-based Power would have been a great reward for the main Bards’ College quest; alas, none exists.

How To Join

Players can join the Bards’ College by completing the quest “Tending the Flames.” First, speak to Viarmo at the Bard’s College in Solitude, and accept his request to find King Olaf’s verse. Return to Viarmo and help him “reconstruct” the missing parts of the verse, and accompany him to present it to Elisif. The choices that the player makes in reconstructing the verse will not affect the outcome. Finally, attend the Burning of King Olaf festival event to become a member of the College.

Benefits of Joining

One major reason for the Bards’ College’s low ranking is the lack of interesting perks they offer. Giraud Gemane offers Master-level Speech training, but that’s about it.

Quests

The Bards’ College offers only its initial quest, followed by a few fetch quests. Though they’re not particular interesting, it’s worth noting that the fetch quests all offer significant skill increase rewards.

• Tending the Flames
• Find Finn’s Lute: Increases Alchemy, Sneak, Pickpocket, Lockpicking, Light Armor, and Speech by 1 level each
• Find Pantaea’s Flute: Increases Alteration, Enchantment, Illusion, Destruction, Conjuration, and Restoration by 1 level each
• Find Rjorn’s Drum: Increases Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Two-Handed, Block, Smithing, and Archery by 1 level each.

13

The Blades

Stubborn and Self-Righteous, with Limited Gameplay Relevance

Delphine and Esbern have noble goals, but they’re shortsighted and militant. Furthermore, fully joining the Blades requires killing Paarthunax, the wise, kind old dragon who leads the Greybeards. After the quest “Season Unending,” Delphine will refuse any service to the Dragonborn until this deed is done.

Though she provides helpful guidance in the first few main quests, Delphine’s self-righteous attitude starts to grate on many players — especially when she demands Paarthurnax’s death. Considering the Blades don’t do too much for the player anyway, most don’t consider killing their dragon mentor a worthy sacrifice.

How To Join

Follow the main questline through Season Unending. These quests will take the Dragonborn to Sky Haven Temple, where Delphine will introduce the Blades. After Season Unending, Delphine will ask the player to kill Paarthurnax. Complete this task, and report back to Delphine.

Benefits of Joining

As a member of the Blades, players get access to all the gear and items in Sky Haven Temple, including the unique sword Dragonbane. However, unlike the higher-ranking factions on this list, there are no unique skill trainers or followers associated with them.

Quests

Several quests in Skyrim’s main storyline involve the Blades:

• A Blade in the Dark
• Diplomatic Immunity
• A Cornered Rat
• Alduin’s Wall
• Season Unending

If the player chooses to side with the Blades from this point on, further quests include:

• Paarthurnax
• Rebuilding the Blades
• Dragon Hunting (repeatable radiant quest)

12

The Coven Of Namira

The Least Admirable Of Groups

There are many quests in Skyrim, but few lead to such despicable things as the Daedric quests often seem to contain. Perhaps the least appetizing of all is Namira’s mission, The Taste of Death. This singular mission doesn’t just lead to the Dragonborn becoming a champion of a Daedric God, it leads to them becoming a member of a coven.

Namira’s coven are cannibals. The leader, Eola, is initially encountered in the catacombs beneath Markarth, but the Dragonborn is later tasked with luring someone to the entire coven to be eaten. Even more shocking, the people of the coven are regular members of society in Markarth, and the Dragonborn can have new interactions with them based on seeing them there later in the game. While it isn’t the most glamorous group and there are no further missions, this is an interesting faction to join or destroy.

How To Join

Complete The Taste of Death, Namira’s Daedric quest, started by hearing a rumor in Markarth and asking Brother Verulus about the Hall of the Dead. After luring the victim to to coven, agree to feast on them, rather than attacking the coven (which will fail the quest).

Benefits of Joining

The Ring of Namira item boosts the wearer’s health when the Dragonborn feasts on dead bodies.

Quests

11

The Greybeards

High-Minded Scholars Who Refuse to Act

Even though killing Paarthurnax leaves a bad taste in some players’ mouths, the Greybeards aren’t much more useful even if he’s left alive. They’re the opposite extreme from the Blades, refusing to take action even when they could save lives.

Remaining loyal to the Greybeards allows the Dragonborn to visit Paarthurnax and meditate on Words of Power, making their shouts more powerful. However, they’re not a very interesting bunch. They don’t have quests or side stories associated with them like other factions do, making these old monks a bit dull.

How To Join

Complete “The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller” as part of the main questline, and the Greybeards will accept the Dragonborn into their fold. After that, simply complete the main questline without killing Paarthurnax. As long as the old dragon remains alive, players will be welcome at High Hrothgar.

Benefits of Joining

With Paarthurnaxe alive, the player can meditate on certain Words of Power, making their shouts more powerful. However, there are only three options, affecting the Unrelenting Force, Become Ethereal, and Fire Breath shouts. What’s more, the Dragonborn doesn’t gain access to any special items, trainers, or unique services, as with many other guilds.

Quests

The Dragonborn does not exactly do quests for the Greybeards; however, they are involved in several main story quests:

• The Way of the Voice
• The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller
• The Throat of the World
• Alduin’s Bane

10

Tribal Orcs

The Most Stubborn Group In The Game

Although there aren’t many advantages to joining them, the Tribal Orcs are better to have as friends than enemies. There are several orc strongholds around Skyrim, separated from the rest of society, and it is rare to see any orcs outside these locations. The Dragonborn will not be initially welcome in the strongholds unless the player character is an Orc, but they can be welcomed as “a friend to all Orcs” if they endear themselves somehow.

Players can become welcome in the strongholds in many different ways. Some are even surprisingly easy. If they clear out Kolskreggr Mine and talk to Gat gro-Shargakh, or find a Daedric heart for the blacksmith Moth gro-Bagol in Markarth, they can become welcome in the strongholds. There are also more complicated methods, with whole quests involved. In general, the Tribal Orcs are a fun, mysterious aspect of the game worth exploring.

How To Join

Players who choose Orc as their race during character creation will automatically be allowed into strongholds. Non-Orcs must meet other entry requirements, including doing favors for Orcs found outside strongholds or completing The Cursed Tribe, Malacath’s Daedric quest.

If a player approaches a stronghold before ganing an Orc’s favor, the NPC guarding the gates will send them on a radiant quest to find a unique pair of gloves, the Forgemaster’s Fingers. Recovering this item will grant players access to all the Orc strongholds in the game.

Benefits Of Joining

Once they are accepted, players will be able to enter the various Orc strongholds around Skyrim, where they can trade with the Orcs who live there. They also have the potential to recruit new followers after earning their favor:

• Borgakh the Steel Heart, at Mor Khazgur
• Ghorbash the Iron Hand, at Dushnikh Yal
• Lob, at Largashbur
• Ugor, at Largashbur
• Ogol, at Largashbur

Quests

• The Cursed Tribe
• The Forgemaster’s Fingers
• Gharol’s Message

9

The Stormcloaks

Conflicting Ideals and Repetitive Quests

Though the Stormcloaks are fighting to preserve their way of life, they also have a nasty tendency towards racist nationalism. Some Stormcloak supporters simply want the freedom to worship Talos in peace. Others, however, want to see all non-Nords violently driven from their land.

Joining the Stormcloak army may be an important roleplaying choice for some. However, the quests tend to be a bit dull compared to other factions: Go to a location, kill several enemies, and repeat. It’s a good way to level up combat skills, but narratively underwhelming, which ranks them low among the game’s factions.

How To Join

Speak to Ulfric Stormcloak in Windhelm about joining the Stormcloak Army. He will ask them to complete a test of strength by traveling to the island near the Serpent Stone in Winterhold and slaying an ice wraith. Once this is finished, complete the ensuing quest, “The Jagged Crown,” and deliver the item to Ulfric.

Benefits of Joining

There aren’t really any benefits to joining the Stormcloak army, aside from getting to participate in the quests themselves. There are no faction-specific trainers, and players don’t get treated any differently for their involvement in the war.

Quests

The first few quests in the Civil War questline are the same no matter what side the Dragonborn chooses:

• Join the Stormcloaks (or Join the Legion)
• The Jagged Crown
• Message to Whiterun
• Battle for Whiterun

From here, if the player sides with the Stormcloaks, their Civil War quest is labeled as “The Liberation of Skyrim.” Its quest line is as follows:

• Rescue from Fort Neugrad
• Compelling Tribute
• The Battle for Fort Sungard
• The Battle for Fort Greenwall
• A False Front
• The Battle for Fort Snowhawk
• The Battle for Fort Hraggstad
• Battle for Solitude

8

The Imperial Legion

Different Conflicting Ideals, and More Repetitive Quests

There’s really no good side to pick in the Civil War. Though they claim to want unity, the Imperial Legion fights to stamp out religious freedom and Nordic traditions. As with the Stormcloak rebellion, some players may join the Legion as a roleplaying choice but find themselves bored with the story.

The Legion doesn’t seem to realize that they’re nothing more than Thalmor puppets. Furthermore, just like fighting for the other side, the storyline isn’t particularly engaging. The quests are more or less the same between the two sides.

How To Join

Speak with Legate Rikke in Castle Dour in Solitude. After asking to join the army, accept Rikke’s quest and clear Fort Hraggstad of bandits. Finally, complete “The Jagged Crown,” delivering the spoils to Tullius.

Benefits of Joining

As with the Stormcloaks, there are no real benefits to joining the Imperial Legion. The player doesn’t get any special treatment, nor unlock access to any skill trainers or services.

Quests

After completing the first four quests (which are the same as they are for the Stormcloaks), complete “The Reunification of Skyrim,” which consists of:

• ​A False Front
• The Battle for Fort Dunstad
• Compelling Tribute
• The Battle for Fort Greenwall
• The Battle for Fort Sungard
• Rescue from Fort Kastav
• The Battle for Fort Neugrad
• The Battle for Fort Amol
• Battle for Windhelm

7

House Telvanni

A Throwback To Morrowind Without Much To It

The Dragonborn DLC allows players to leave Skyrim itself and head to Solstheim, an island mostly inhabited by Dunmer who fled towards Skyrim when the Red Mountain erupted. Neloth is one of the grand wizards of House Telvanni, and he makes sure their presence is felt on Solstheim, where the Dragonborn runs into him several times.

If the Dragonborn chooses, they can visit Neloth and engage with him in a variety of quests and miscellaneous missions that lead him to naming the Dragonborn a member of House Telvanni. This honorary position doesn’t mean much, but if players are looking for more action on Solstheim, these quests vary greatly and some are quite fun.

How To Join

The Dragonborn must complete a variety of quests for Neloth after first meeting him at the Earth Stone during the main Dragonborn DLC questline. He can be found at his tower, Tel Mithryn. After finishing the story quest The Path of Knowledge, ask Neloth if he needs any help with his research. Eventually, he’ll start talking about how someone is out to get him. Speak to him about this, and Neloth will give the player the quest Old Friends. Completing this quest results in the Dragonborn officially becoming member of House Telvanni.

Benefits Of Joining

Technically, as Neloth admits when the player joins, there are currently no benefits to being made a member. When Neloth returns to Vvardenfell, he tells the Dragonborn they will be made Morrowind royalty, but until then he will simply keep a bed and chest for the player in Tel Mithryn (which is a lie). Fortunately, being friendly with the members of Tel Mithryn has its own benefits, like staff enchanting.

Quests

• Heart Stones
• Telvanni Research
• Reluctant Steward
• Experimental Subject (Neloth’s Health Boost)
• Briarheart Necropsy
• Old Friends
• Azra’s Staffs
• Experimental Subject (Silence)
• Wind & Sand
• Lost Knowledge

6

The Companions

Fight as a Werewolf Through a Slightly Rushed Storyline

The Companions guild is a good way to build combat skills as a low-level player, with more narrative interest than the Civil War. However, at higher levels, the large number of radiant quests become tedious and dull.

Beast Form is an interesting power, and for some players, joining this guild is worth the werewolf transformation alone. Despite this, the questline leaves something to be desired. The story had the potential for emotional impact, but it felt a bit rushed, making it one of the weaker subplots in the game.

How To Join

Speak with Kodlak White-Mane in Jorrvaskr in Whiterun. This initiates the quest “Take Up Arms.” For their first task, Kodlak will tell the player to train outside with Vilkas. Vilkas will then ask the player to take a sword to Eorlund Gray-Mane, who in turn asks the Dragonborn to deliver a shield to Aela the Huntress. After completing these errand quests, the player will receive one more radiant quest, which can be anything from eliminating a dangerous animal to brawling with a random NPC. Upon completion, return to Jorrvaskr for the initiation ceremony.

Benefits of Joining

The most obvious perk of joining the Companions is the Beast Form ability, gained after being transformed into a werewolf. In this form, players can maul their enemies to death and feast on kills to increase their strength. The player also gains access to seven followers: Aela, Athis, Farkas, Njada, Ria, Torvar, and Vilkas, all of whom are capable warriors as well as potential marriage candidates.

Finally, the following trainers will offer their services to members of the Companions:

• Aela the Huntress: Expert-level Archery
• Athis: Expert-level One-Handed
• Njada Stone-Arm: Expert-level Block
• Eorlund Gray-Mane: Master-level Smithing
• Farkas: Master-level Heavy Armor
• Vilkas: Master-level Two-Handed

Quests

The main questline of the Companions’ Guild proceeds as follows:

• Take Up Arms
• Proving Honor
• The Silver Hand
• Blood’s Honor
• Purity of Revenge
• Glory of the Dead

The Companions’ Guild also offers a wide range of radiant quests. Players must complete a certain number of these as prerequisites for some of the main story quests listed above, but they can also be repeated infinitely for gold and experience.

• Animal Extermination
• Hired Muscle
• Trouble in Skyrim
• Family Heirloom
• Escaped Criminal
• Rescue Mission

After completing “The Silver Hand,” a few new radiant quests become available, relating to defeating the Silver Hand organization. The player must complete two of the following in order to progress the main story:

• Striking the Heart
• Stealing Plans
• Retrieval

5

The Volkihar Clan

Aid the Sinister Vampire Clan’s Rise to Power

The Dawnguard DLC allows the player to pick sides in a war between mortals and vampires. If the Dragonborn sides with the latter faction, they join the Volkihar Clan, led by the abusive and overbearing Harkon.

Clan Volkihar’s members are kind of one-note. They’re all fairly bloodthirsty, believe they’re above others, and are bored with the politics of Harkon’s court (except those who want his throne). While playing through Dawnguard from a vampire’s point of view is fascinating, the Volkihar Clan often feels stifling and creepy, leading to a slightly lower ranking.

How To Join

Speak to Isran at Fort Dawnguard, who will ask the Dragonborn to retrieve a “vampire artifact” from Dimhollow Crypt. This begins the quest “Awakening.” This “artifact” turns out to be Serana, a member of the Volkihar clan. Upon returning Serana to her home at Castle Volkihar, accept Lord Harkon’s offer to transform the Dragonborn into a Vampire Lord.

Benefits of Joining

The main reason to join the Volkihar Clan is, essentially, to become a Vampire Lord. Players gain access to a slew of new abilities, and a whole new style of gameplay along with it. The Dragonborn can also use Death Hounds as followers, but none of the clan’s members are available to join the player on adventures. Finally, the player gains access to the following trainers:

• Garan Marethi: Expert-level Destruction
• Ronthil: Expert-level Speech
• Fura Bloodmouth: Master-level Two-Handed

Quests

As one of the factions available for the Dawnguard storyline, the Volkihar clan is involved in every Dawnguard main story quest. The perspectives and goals differ if the Dragonborn chooses Volkihar over the Dawnguard, but the story plays out in a similar way.

• Dawnguard
• Awakening
• Bloodline
• The Bloodstone Chalice (this is the only Volkihar-specific quest in the main Dawnguard questline)
• Prophet
• Scroll Scouting
• Seeking Disclosure
• Chasing Echoes
• Beyond Death
• Unseen Visions
• Touching the Sky
• Kindred Judgment

The Volkihar Clan also has several faction-specific side quests. Most of these involve turning others into vampires, gathering magical relics, or destroying enemies. These are radiant quests, which can have a range of targets and can be repeated multiple times.

• Rings of Blood Magic
• Protecting the Bloodline
• Deceiving the Herd
• Ancient Power
• New Allegiances
• Amulets of Night Power
• Culling the Beast
• The Hunt
• Destroying the Dawnguard
• The Gift