Battle for Windhelm | Imperial Legion Quests

New Main Objective: Receive orders from General Tullius

Note that during the Reunification of Skyrim main Imperial Legion Quest, you will receive this mission which entails the most important battle in the Imperial Legion campaign – taking over Windhelm, the Stormcloaks’ main city.

Once you open the world map, you will notice that Windhelm has been temporarily removed from the available locations list. Nonetheless, you can still use the Fast Travel option or go south of the city to the Windhelm Stables (as seen in the above screen). Alternatively, if you prefer not to use Fast Travel, you can journey north to reach the stronghold from the south.

Upon arrival, proceed north towards Windhelm’s main gate. After General Tullius finishes his speech encouraging his soldiers to fight (as seen in the above screen), save the game and approach the large gate to commence the attack on the city.

New Main Objective: Make Ulfric Stormcloak surrender

Map labels: red lines – free routes; 1 – starting point, 2 – entrance to the Palace of the Kings; X – barricades that can be broken through.

Before anything else, it’s important to understand the nature of the battles you are about to engage in. This battle is based on quite unusual principles, and you cannot enter the Palace of the Kings, Ulfric Stormcloak’s headquarters, by going north in a straight line. The way to the palace and other parts of the city is blocked by fragments of collapsed buildings or burning barricades, forcing you to follow a predetermined and linear path.

It’s important to note that you don’t have to eliminate all Stormcloak soldiers on the way, as both fighting parties will replace their dead warriors regularly. Focus on killing only those who pose a direct threat or those standing in your path to other parts of the city. As with other battles, avoid using area-effect attacks and pay attention to who you are attacking, as it can be difficult to distinguish between the Imperials and the Stormcloaks amidst the fighting.

The fights begin as soon as you enter the city (as seen in the above screen). If your character prefers close combat, you can start eliminating the Stormcloak soldiers immediately. If you prefer ranged combat, quickly move away from the gate and find a good spot to attack efficiently. As mentioned earlier, you cannot reach the Palace of the Kings by going north. The streets to the east are also blocked, so the only way is the path leading west.

Soon, you will reach a fork in the road (as seen in the above screen) and must decide which way to go. You can either go west and past a market or go north and past a cemetery. In both cases, try to destroy the barricades as quickly as possible. This is particularly important if you play as a warrior, as you must approach every foe to kill them.

The screenshots depict the route to the north passage, which can be reached by breaking through a barricade. It is advisable to keep an eye out for the Stormcloak soldiers while exploring the narrow alleys, to avoid getting surrounded. Moving further north, you must eliminate the soldiers that come in your way until you are forced to turn west. At this point, there is a group of enemy soldiers stationed around the last barricade that you must get rid of. Be careful not to hit your allies and destroy the barricade either during or after the fight. Once you head west and turn north, you will encounter the last group of Stormcloak soldiers before gaining access to the Palace of the Kings. Before entering the palace, save the game as you will be meeting the Stormcloaks leader soon. When you reach the throne with Ulfric on it, wait for his conversation with General Tullius to end before attacking. It is advisable to attack Ulfric’s guard, Galmar Stone-Fist, first. Once Galmar is defeated, attack Ulfric who will be using Dragon Shouts. After the fight, wait for General Tullius to approach you and decide whether you want to execute Ulfric yourself or let the General do it. It is recommended to kill Ulfric yourself as you will receive the General’s prized Sword. The Imperial Legion Quests can be found in the description of the Reunification of Skyrim.

FAQ

What is the Battle for Windhelm?

The Battle for Windhelm is a quest in the game Skyrim, part of the Imperial Legion questline. It takes place during the Civil War between the Imperials and the Stormcloaks. The quest involves the player character and a group of Imperial soldiers attacking Windhelm, the capital city of Eastmarch, which is controlled by the Stormcloaks. The objective is to capture the city and secure it for the Imperial Legion. The player will face resistance from Stormcloak soldiers and may have to engage in battles on the streets and in buildings. The outcome of the Battle for Windhelm will have an impact on the overall Civil War storyline.

How do I start the Battle for Windhelm quest?

To start the Battle for Windhelm quest, you must first join the Imperial Legion and complete the prerequisite quests. Once you have done so, you will be given the objective to report to Legate Rikke in Solitude. She will give you the orders to attack Windhelm and provide you with a group of soldiers to lead. Follow the orders and lead your troops into battle to capture the city. Completing the Battle for Windhelm will advance the Imperial Legion questline and bring you closer to ending the Civil War in Skyrim.

Can I choose to side with the Stormcloaks in the Battle for Windhelm?

No, the Battle for Windhelm is a quest specifically for the Imperial Legion questline and requires the player to side with the Imperials. If you wish to side with the Stormcloaks, you can do so by completing their quests instead. However, keep in mind that the Civil War questline is a branching storyline and completing quests for one side will prevent you from completing quests for the other side. So, choose your allegiance carefully and be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.