Top 10 In-Game Antagonists in the Elder Scrolls Franchise

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Top 10 In-Game Antagonists in the Elder Scrolls Franchise

Want to know the very best in-game antagonists from the Elder Scrolls series? Here's the top 10 bad guys you'll come across in this gaming franchise! It's been 26 years since the debuted with the Elder Scrolls: Arena in 1994. The series has undergone a drastic transformation from its earliest releases to its most recent titles, but the games have always been engaging and fun. And one thing that adds to that engagement is the series' antagonists. Indeed, the Elder Scrolls has always boasted an assortment of colorful villains, enemies, and opponents, from generic-yet-quirky bandits to despicably evil gods. So,with less than four years away from the series' 30th anniversary, and with the Elder Scrolls VI planned for the future, it's time to look at and rank the 10 best in-game villains of the franchise. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY

Jagar Tharn

Jagar Tharn is the primary antagonist of the first Elder Scrolls game, Arena. In a way, he's the villain who set the standard for all the bad guys that came after him. But while that accolade is admirable, the outdated and limited technology of the first game also makes him one of the weakest villains, in terms of motivation, storytelling, and interaction. Not to say facing him is an easy fight, but compared to the antagonists who followed him, he just doesn't quite match in memorability.

Umaril

Harkon

He's forsaken everything he had for a prophecy to blot out the sun, so that vampires can freely rule the world. A good idea in the short term, perhaps, but in the long term? How quickly would the rest of Nirn die without sunlight, leaving Harkon and other vampires with an empty world to rule over? Maybe he actually wants that, but if not, then perhaps he should think his schemes through in the future. If he had one, that is.

Hircine

Alduin

Miraak

Miraak is a fellow Dragonborn and the current champion of Hermaeus Mora, in the Dragonborn expansion to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. His thirst for power led to his betrayal of the dragons and alliance with Mora, to access the Daedra's unlimited knowledge. But this deal came with a price, trapping Miraak eternally in Mora's plane of Apocrypha, until we come along.

Mehrunes Dagon

As Daedric Prince of Destruction and Change, Mehrunes Dagon is responsible for the Oblivion Crisis and is the main antagonist of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. His goal behind the Crisis is reflected in his titles: to bring destruction and change to all of Tamriel. What better way to do that, than to merge Nirn with his plane of Oblivion? Mehrunes' potency as a villain comes from the fact that, rather than invade himself, he instead sends numerous Dremora and Mythic Dawn cultists to do his dirty work. And when he does finally intervene, it takes no mere mortal, but rather the intervention of Akatosh, to successfully beat him, and end the Crisis. Mehrunes Dagon is truly a terrifying deity, both in Oblivion and beyond.

Almalexia

Almalexia is one of the three deities of the Dunmer's Tribunal sub-Pantheon, alongside Vivec and Sotha Sil. She's also the main antagonist of the Tribunal expansion in the . Or rather, she's a secret antagonist, acting as a benevolent goddess and guide as we stop her fellow Tribunal gods in the storyline. It is only when we survive to the end of the quest, does she betray us, hoping to use our death to martyr us and bolster her worship. Her treachery is a special, painful sort of villainy, as she is otherwise a good ally. But still, we must stop her, and there are few who can claim the glory of killing a god.

Dagoth Ur

This powerful Dunmer-turned-Chimer is the primary antagonist of the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. He, much like the Tribunal before him, is attempting to ascend to living godhood. But unlike the former trio, he does so for ignoble reasons, hungry for the power, praise, and recognition. Given the age and technical limits of Morrowind, Dagoth is somewhat lacking in complex characterization. But he easily makes up for that in the compelling storyline of bringing down a megalomaniac. After all, there's always something so satisfying in humbling an arrogant god.

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