Ralof or Hadvar?

[Dkboy24]

From a purely gameplay perspective I like Hadvar for the free smithing supplies and armor you can get from his uncles forge.

 

From an RP perspective, I typically will favor Ralof. Not that I like him more or less than Hadvar.. but think about it. Hadvar knew you shouldn't have been with the Stormcloaks because your name is missing from their "damned list" but he didn't do anything to even argue that you should be keep in jail rather than executed. He obviously will not disobey a direct order from the Empire for fear of his own death, so what makes you think he will not betray you the second you get out of Helgen alive? If he was caught harboring and aiding a criminal, he would have also been executed. I find it hard to so willingly put my life back into his hands after being spared.

[rhowington]

Ralof, just to kill the Bi#$h that wanted to chop off my head for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Damn Imperials!

[Lachdonin]

From an RP perspective, I typically will favor Ralof. Not that I like him more or less than Hadvar.. but think about it. Hadvar knew you shouldn't have been with the Stormcloaks because your name is missing from their "damned list" but he didn't do anything to even argue that you should be keep in jail rather than executed. He obviously will not disobey a direct order from the Empire for fear of his own death, so what makes you think he will not betray you the second you get out of Helgen alive? If he was caught harboring and aiding a criminal, he would have also been executed. I find it hard to so willingly put my life back into his hands after being spared.

 

Ever been in the military? His captain said you were for the block, so for the block you shall be! This isn't a world with things like the Geneva Convention to guide military ethics.

 

I always side with Hadvar. A; Because Ralof seems to be too blinded by his childlike hero-complex. B; You're a prisoner, and Hadvar STILL doesn't just leave you to die when a dragon's burning down the town. You shared a 'cell' with Ralof, you already have a report there, but Hadvar trusts you despite the fact you're a criminal in his eyes. That takes character.

[Dkboy24]

You make a really good point Lachdonin. I never really looked at it like that and now that you say it, it does make a lot of sense. I guess he cuts your binds off as soon as you get in the tower and trust you with weapons. Hmm...I think this will open up a whole new RP area for me when I start my next character!

[CaffeinatedOrange]

Wanna throw this out there: despite that Hadvar somewhat trusts the player as the two posts above explain, I think it is out of necessity, not out of blindness or stupidity on his part. You want as many allies as you can get when something like a dragon god rains fire on you. And as you walk with him to Riverwood, he seems to become more and more genuinely comfortable with you; I don't feel that with Ralof.

[ultramarinefox]

I am very pleased this thread exists because I never considered the pros and cons with each of them before. One factor that must also play a part as to which one you choose to follow is what race your character is and his own allegiances. My current character is a Nord who believes the same way Ulfric does, so he chooses to go with Ralof because a) as another poster pointed out, my PC shared a cell and a cart-ride with him and so developed a great rapport, b) because they both knew they were going to their deaths - let's face it, as soon as you are captured it was going to be an execution for everyone and finally c) based upon these two points, my character bonded very strongly with Ralof, so after escaping together and making it out alive, making Ralof a follower and fighting together, my modded marriageable Ralof is going to be my spouse. I think when I develop a new character I will explore the potential of Hadvar.

[LordMalachi]

Hadvar 80%+ of the time. I tend to play Imperials and Altmer most of the time so it makes sense. Imperials because well, Imperials. Altmer because while I may look down on humans, the Imperials are still more civilized and of higher respect than the Nords and their rebellious Stormcloaks. I think the only time I run with Ralof is the occasional Khajiit I play as, and even then it's only about half the time. Technically when I run necromancers I probably should go stormcloak, since the Empire is very against necromancy, but *meh*. I feel dirty as a Stormcloak. Heck I feel dirty in Skyrim period.

 

But, that said, the above posts pointing out how much more real Hadvar is just reinforces my choice.

[KanesGhost]

Just playing the Devils Advocate here....though I do prefer Hadvar as a character, there is the point that he is a loyal Imperial Soldier and refers to your character as 'Prisoner' when your in his company before entering the Keep, wouldn't it be a duty of a good soldier that no matter the situation he finds himself in that he still does his best to secure a Prisoner if given the opportunity? There is no way of you knowing that he is going to release you once you enter the Keep, wouldn't you be more inclined to think he is just doing his duty...aka securing a Prisoner?

[LordMalachi]

I... 'maybe' if his tones of voice and mannerisms were colder I could see that. But he doesn't actually know your name, the only thing he knows to call you is 'prisoner'. And you can easily see how he is distressed at you being there in the first place. While soldiers/guards do exist like you describe, Hadvar really doesn't come off as that type. Now, the Captain lady, she does.

[Kraeten]

 

From an RP perspective, I typically will favor Ralof. Not that I like him more or less than Hadvar.. but think about it. Hadvar knew you shouldn't have been with the Stormcloaks because your name is missing from their "damned list" but he didn't do anything to even argue that you should be keep in jail rather than executed. He obviously will not disobey a direct order from the Empire for fear of his own death, so what makes you think he will not betray you the second you get out of Helgen alive? If he was caught harboring and aiding a criminal, he would have also been executed. I find it hard to so willingly put my life back into his hands after being spared.

 

Ever been in the military? His captain said you were for the block, so for the block you shall be! This isn't a world with things like the Geneva Convention to guide military ethics.

 

I always side with Hadvar. A; Because Ralof seems to be too blinded by his childlike hero-complex. B; You're a prisoner, and Hadvar STILL doesn't just leave you to die when a dragon's burning down the town. You shared a 'cell' with Ralof, you already have a report there, but Hadvar trusts you despite the fact you're a criminal in his eyes. That takes character.

 

 

Ulfric is regarded as a hero by many nords for good reason. He's a veteran of the great war and he liberated Markarth like an ancient nordic warchief of old. Pretty understandable that he's admired. Calling Ralof's admiration "childlike" is a pretty big stretch.

 

Hadvar on the other hand is ultimately a drone. For all his "sympathy", he'll follow his orders without question even if he feels they're wrong. If upon arriving in Solitude Tullius had ordered that the player be exeuted, I have no doubt whatsoever Hadvar would have obeyed. That's the not the kind of person I'd put my trust in after narrowly escaping execution.

 

And really, it's representive of the difference between the Empire and Skyrim. The Empire wants soldiers and those who will serve. The Nords of Skyrim instead expect courage and fighting spirit.