Although I thought the civil war and its battles were a nice addition to Skyrim, I feel as if the Civil war was made a little simple for either side. Without trying to spoil too much, it seems as if the war progressed to quickly, too easily and too carefree from the Jarls/Civil war leaders perspective. There are also a few ideas from the civil war missing, that could have been added to the game. These were ideas that were seemingly adopted by Bethesda in what I would call their most successful expansion, The Shivering Isles.

One thing that gripes me is in the SHivering Isles, you basically became the Lord over a land. I doubt very few players actually opposed this happening and it made characters who wanted o be great leaders or Kings a spot in the TEs series by handing them over this Daedric Realm. However, I dont see why this could not have been done in SKyrim. Skyrim's Nord traditions open up for two possibilities:

1. The idea of fair combat in challenging the High King
2. The advancement of the Jarls through war

One thing I thought was really weird was how the Jarl of Whiterun is chosen on the Stormcloak side, if a stormcloak victory. becomes the leader. Why, this seems heavily against Skyrim tradition. . I dont see why the Jarl of Whiterun could not be passed to either one of Ulfrics advisors or the PC. See the current problem with the civil war is that the PC does not gain a big reputation by the time Whiterun is fought over. COnsidering that Whiterun is also strategically the most important position in Skyrim, it also seems weird that the civil war would deal with it first. See if the PC was allowed to do quests against the other Imperial holds prior to the Siege of Whiterun, there could be a possibility of the PC being given the Jarlhood. Although its current frequency in the civil war makes little sense, in order to possibly bring back a sense of "endless choices" I think this should have been an option that the PC could have either accepted or turned down.

The second idea is that the PC could become High King of SKyrim. What is made clear is that there is a tradition in Skyrim where the High King can be challenged to fair combat for the throne. On either sides case, should the PC have been made a Jarl, the PC could have been given an extensive questline (Possibly through Hadvar or Raolof) to gain the favour of either sides army, in order to gain support to take the position of High King. This would have allowed for more endings to the civil war then the ones given, and presented the PC with more possible choices.

The second idea is not in itself outlandish because, looking at the civilizations that the Imperials and Nords take after, the idea of raising a high ranking military leader did happen. Culminate this with the fact that the PC is the Dragonborn would give him much sway among the Nords as a "Hero". Talos himself was a great general who became the first in the Septim line. I dont think its a stretch to say the civil war could have been a longer quest, allowing the for PC to choose between being a Soldier and a Leader. While the game is already out and its a bit late to consider these possibilities, maybe this suggestion might inspire some modders or even Bethesda to expand the civil war through a DLC.

Just some food for thought on the potential the civil war could have had

I don't agree with making the Dragonborn any sort of nobility, personally. Usually, you're too busy going out into the world and adventuring to be an effective administrator.

Thats why it would be optional. Gives you a sense of choice thats missing.

One word. Bloodmoon.

But yeah there needed to be more. I thought it would have been a perfect opportuntity to claim Helgen as your own and recreate the whole town in an RTS sorta way. But alas, there's no FACE BASHING involved there...

I like your idea. plus i think it would make sense for a jarl to explore and go kill bandits for the sake of his hold's glory.Plus he is dragonborn .

Yeah the civil war was very lacking. Bethesda gimped the story and the questline for it pretty bad

no more specialness for the dragonborn please. as it is we already won the lottery because not only are we the only one that can stop the world but we are also the only one who can save the college and the only one that is worthy of being the listener for the DB. at least with the thieves guild you werent the only one chosen for the final honor.

one thing that should have been done for the PC version is increasing the number of AI on the screen at one time. the consoles completely ruined them because as it it you get a max of around 16 or so (which is pathetic) and on top of the when their reinforcments come in they just magically appear right in front of you. they have youtube videos of people running 200+ plus battles and one of them had 30 dragons on screen at once. this game could have been so much more if it had been designed around PCs first and then downgraded for consoles.

COlumbus is a good example of this. After 1492 he was made a governor of his new colony, Hispaniola (sorry spellings most likely wrong). So what does Columbus do as a governor? Puts his second man in charge, gives everyone the middle finger and continues to try to find a passage to China. Although there were repercussions, such as him being jailed by the Spanish Monarchy in the 1500s for gross incompetence of his governorship (which he was too busy sailing around to care about. SKyrim is about roleplaying, You can pick up being the most responsible Jarl ever and end the game there or go explore and do what you want.

Every hold you take or loose changes the Jarl to a supporter of the controlling side, the Greymanes are simply the most influential family that supports the rebelion in Whiterun, you wouldn't expect a council in the middle of a war, nor a comoneer as a jarl.

Random battles would have been nice. Sometimes coming across a few dozen soldiers battling it out.

The Civil war was very lame. It promised a land in war, but what we got were a few military leaders pissed off about this and that and a very anticlimactic ending. Just like with the main quest.

So Jarl Elisif the Fair in the Blue Palace, who immedietly directs you to her advisor is fit the rule over SKyrim? Hi, I was Toryggs wife, while you may be the Dragonborn trying to save us from Dragons, I have little time for you, talk to my servant? You know the woman in Whiterun who asks if you are afraid of a strong Nord Woman? Shes more deserving of the throne. The problem with the Greymanes is while they may be influential, Ulfrics philosophy seems to indicate he is more sided with Nord Traditions (as he challenged Torygg to Fair combat, albeit the use of the voice, which ius in debate). Ulfric seems he would respect a warrior over a political pawn. Everything about the Stormcloaks screams warrior-culture. I dont see why the Greymanes wouldnt have been made the Jarls advisor, but their succession to the Jarlhood is quite absurd. I also acknowledged that in the CIvil Wars quest current state, having the PC become the Jarl doesnt work and I said that it would need to be tweaked. However, the current civil war quest is really cut and dry simple.

That's because when Torygg died the throne passed on to her wife, the city wasn't taken by force. Also, Eliseif is an Imperial puppet and really easy to control that's why

The Stormcloaks needed someone with roots in the city and able to put order, It's either the Greymanes or a militar governor, but that would be emulating the Empire and against Nord traditions. The greymanes have always been closer to nord traditions, they hold the skyforge and are closer to the companions, being the Battleborn their enemies. It makes sense, there's no one else to keep Whiterun strong in the middle of a war.

There should be some kinda of nobility if someone become the thane of all holds of Skyrim

I really think that there should be some kind of High king, or even better Emperor DLC.... Something like an "ending" to the game... like Daggerfall had.
Also, reconstructing Helgen / Winterhold would be amazing.

Questline to become High king of Skyrim could be compelted only after the main quest // the dragon threat was removed. That would make sense, as in the shimmering isles - you are the lord of the realm but you still adventure etc.

The Civil War was lacking quests. It would have been pretty cool to have quests where you had to assassinate Jarls or fight for certain cities.

One thing that bothers me is the Stormcloak outfit, i think they should look more like vikings or that they have ancient nord armor on them instead lame guard armor.

The only place I want to rule is a small castle like from the Oblivion DLC. Hopefully it is in a DLC for Skyrim.

Maybe we will revisit Solstheim in a dlc. At some point we become the Jarl and can complete quests that improve our castle/town.

I have two problems with the PC ruling a Hold or becoming High King. First of all, there is no way that a non-Nord would be given such a position. And since there's a high probability that the PC will not be a Nord, it makes no sense to have that option for only one of the races. Secondly, what makes you any better than the Greymane guy? Sure, they could say you are, but that dictates more of your background that I want them to. I like my background being totally open-ended.

Bulls#t...plenty of real life monarchs ruled nations not of their race. Napoleon was Italian but ruled France as its emperor.

But you are also a Dragonborn, what make you a Nord Legend...I think they can come with the excuse... "He/She is a nord at heart..."

As well, if the option was available from the Imperial Side, its just as viable a non-Nord could be High King. But yeah, being the Dragonborn helps. I just wish the civil war had a lot more depth to it.

I would want more politics and intrigue (The ambiguity between the who sides already is a great start) and maybe some more effects to the change in the politics in the Holds.

What's with this thirsty of power people?