The Ultimate Elder Scrolls Villains Ranked: Who Reigns Supreme?

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The series known as The Elder Scrolls comprises five main story games and an MMO, titled Elder Scrolls Online. Throughout the lore of Nirn, The Elder Scrolls has amassed a significant roster of named adversaries. These antagonists span from those whose evil is deeply personal and tragic, to those who present an apocalyptic threat to the world.

In The Elder Scrolls series, some adversaries are common folk, while others are actual deities or powerful sorcerers striving for divinity. Many of them leave a lasting impression on the game’s lore and join the ranks of legendary video game characters. It’s interesting to examine which of these adversaries have the most depth, considering both their narrative development and gaming experience.

S-Tier: Iconic and Beloved The Elder Scrolls Villains

  • Dagoth Ur
  • Sheogorath
  • Molag Bal

In “The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind,” Dagoth Ur emerged as a formidable figure, largely due to the danger he presents, his pivotal role within the Elder Scrolls universe, and his profound bond with the player character. Being Nerevar’s former confidant, he finds it difficult to break free from that past connection when confronting the Nerevarine after millennia have passed. The arrival of Dagoth Ur signifies turbulence in Morrowind, and his impact is undeniable.

Sheogorath is well-known among the Daedric Princes, embodying the essence of madness. He often acts as a chaotic figure, switching between ally and adversary. In Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), he takes on the role of an antagonist within the Mages Guild, and for the Dunmer people, he is one of the four key figures associated with the House of Troubles.

Molag Bal represents one of the Daedric Deities, specifically known as the Daedric Prince of Enslavement. In the world of Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), he serves as the main adversary and is associated with some of Tamriel’s grim events throughout its chronicles.

A-Tier: Strong and Impactful Characters

  • Almalexia
  • Mankar Camoran
  • Mehrunes Dagon
  • Jyggalag
  • Jagar Tharn
  • Hermaeus Mora

In the realm of Morrowind’s expansion pack, Tribunal, I found myself drawn into the enigmatic character of Almalexia, one of the three tribunes. Once the beloved wife of Nerevar, she became an intriguing adversary in my journey as the Nerevarine.

Fast forward to Oblivion, and Mankar Camoran emerges as a secondary antagonist with a captivating presence that dominates much of the game. Voiced by the distinguished Terence Stamp, Mankar Camoran is a charismatic adversary whose philosophical leanings challenge the very fabric of Nirn and Oblivion.

As a gamer immersed in the rich world of Tamriel, I’ve had my share of encounters with some pretty formidable characters. Mehrunes Dagon, the main villain from Oblivion, is one such character I’ve crossed paths with, and interestingly enough, he’s made an appearance in ESO as well. His cult, the Mythic Dawn, were the ones who brought an end to the Septim line of emperors, a significant event in Tamriel’s history.

Now, Jyggalag, he’s a character with a brief showing in Oblivion’s Shivering Isles expansion pack, but his influence on the lore is immense. You can’t overstate his importance.

Lastly, there’s Hermaeus Mora. He’s got a bit of a Sheogorath-like quality: his goals can swing for or against mortals. However, in the past, many of his actions have worked against us, the mortals of Nirn. Quite the enigmatic bunch, these gods!

In the first game of The Elder Scrolls series, titled Arena, Jagar Tharn is the primary antagonist. He gained notoriety for seizing power and ruling Tamriel for a full decade after overthrowing Uriel Septim VII. Although his character may lack depth, his pivotal role as the first villain in The Elder Scrolls series elevates him to the A-tier level.

B-Tier: Good Ideas, But Weak Execution

  • Alduin
  • Miraak
  • Mannimarco

Alduin, as the World-Eater, showed immense promise. Regrettably, he doesn’t contribute much beyond a handful of scenes, and his ultimate showdown leaves one feeling underimpressed. Much like Miraak, the main antagonist in the Dragonborn DLC for Skyrim, who starts off impressively by taking control of Solstheim’s inhabitants, but falls short when it comes to posing any significant danger during our encounters.

In multiple titles of “The Elder Scrolls” series, Mannimarco emerges as one of the franchise’s most notorious antagonists. In the game “Daggerfall,” due to the Warp in the West, he gains divine powers and becomes both a god and a mortal in “Oblivion.” However, it is his mortal form in “Oblivion” that diminishes his standing, as he appears as a mortal necromancer and suffers a quick defeat.

C-Tier: Generic and Forgettable Antagonists

  • Harkon
  • Umaril

In the games Skyrim and Oblivion, Harkon and Umaril take on the roles of primary adversaries for their respective downloadable content. Harkon is portrayed as a stereotypically evil vampire lord with little unique character development, whereas Umaril lacks a distinct personality and mainly serves to present a danger to Cyrodiil. However, he also represents an homage to the founding story of Cyrodiil.

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2025-05-23 20:50