1. Tried going with both of them.

2. I'm going to say Hadvar because he wasn't the one that got captured. At least he was smart enough to cut my bindings off, whereas Ralof sent me jumping into a burning building by myself without even unbinding me first. Hadvar looks stronger.

3. Neutral. They are/were both pretty nice guys.

Ralof is bad for wanting to communicate with us a lot? Wut?

I always liked Hadvar. He tells us to stick close to him as he guides us through the burning wreckage. As we're unarmed and defenseless, and bound at the time, it's a good idea to sick close to the guy who looks like he can fight. He's also very apologetic to you the whole way, all the way to Riverwood. I got a sense he truly felt partially responsible for us nearly getting our head cut off, and didn't want us to get killed again.

Ralof? "You, unarmed, defenseless prisoner that is still bound up at the wrists, go make a leap of faith into that burning inn there and pray you don't get a bone broken, or get impaled." Then during our walk, he begins to try and get us to join their cause. I will say this for Ralof. He *was* somewhat assuring during the ride to Helgen, trying to keep Lokir and us calm and steady in the face of our impending death, telling us to think about our homes, etc.

Not really a disguise, even the 1 or 2 characters who join the legion follow Ralof out of Helgen...Ralof just feels right to me

I don't like being referred to as "prisoner" amongst other issues with Hadvar and have only followed him on my 1st playthrough because it was a noob mistake.

I have to wonder why the [censored] Ralof didn't cut off my bindings in the tower! Everyone else got theirs removed! Noooo, instead everyone just stood there while Ulfie babbles on about legends not burning down towns. Cause we all needed that pointing out.

I have to agree with others who have mentioned it, that it does feel more natural and right to follow Ralof, after all we were 'brothers and sisters in binds' at the time. It is natural to join up with the other escaping prisoners, not with the people trying to execute you. To be honest, at the point of choice we are somewhat fools to actually trust Hadvar. We have no proof that he won't 'finish his job' of getting the prisoners all executed, on the way out, despite what he tells us. He could have merely been trying to prevent us escaping like the rest of the prisoners. Up until he actually removes our binds, this is possible.

It's a gameplay thing, if our binds were cut early then why would we feel obligated to follow anyone? I would've looted the first dead soldier and hightailed it out the nearest gate.

Funny thing is if you run too fast then Alduin shouts you down and while being ragdolled you can see your binds are broken

I have to agree with that one. I always go with Hadvar because he's less of a windbag, and for access to Alvor's stuff. I only need chop wood for Hod to get access to the other house. Otherwise, both Hadvar and Ralof can head straight to Oblivion.

I didn't even notice Ralof my first time. Just went with Hadvar. He's more beneficial too. Free Iron and and Steel ingots. But Ralof is okay too.

I think the lot of you are forgetting something crucial. Picking either one at the beginning does not immediately decides which side you're on. That decision comes later in the game. You can choose for Ralof and still decide later to take the Imperials side. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I usually go with Ralof , as the Legion armor you scrounge is worth a lot more, which means I can sell them in Riverwood & get some gear I want.

I think Hadvar would beat Ralof.

Overall though, I like them both, but I'd pick Hadvar as he's on the side I fight for. If Ulfric was less of a narrow minded leader, I might find myself having a harder decision to make.

Ha, that was me exactly. I was too busy watching Alduin to notice where Ralof went.

I usually go with Hadvar. He's a cool guy and I'm also pretty pro-legion.

Whichever I feel like at the time, makes no meaningful difference to your character's progress.

I think they're pretty interchangeable. Love Ralof, though. I never miss his family reunion. First game I ended up following Hadvar, just because I never noticed Ralof or the quest update to choose one of them.

ha it's nice to know that I wasn't the only one who did this the first time...I kept running like Forrest as I thought if I lingered too long then Alduin would kill me

I would pick Ralof, because he is not one of the dikes trying to cut my head off, and also he doesn't have that extremely Schwarzenegger accent. But I do think Hadvar would win a fight because he was military trained.

I go with Hadvar. He kind of represents the nicer side of the Imperials. Also Ralof has me jump out of a tower into a ruined building with my hands still bound. What the [censored], Ralof?

Never judge a book by its cover. Hadvar is military trained, you are right about that, but Ralof is quite vigorous in his battling as you can see later on in the game. Well, assuming you pick the Stormcloaks side.

Pfft. Ralof would kick Hadvar's arse. Reminds me of that one MTG card that said something along the lines of; 'Seeing my farm burn down, and my family killed is all the training I need!'

Damn straight.

Yeah, we've all seen THAT discussion, haven't we?

I'm a shallow girl. Ralof is cuter. Period.

Well, better loot in Riverwood if you follow Hadvar and you're into Smithing.

Unless I am actually doing a Stormcloak role-play, I always follow Hadvar. Just seems that running off with a group of rebels that were about to all get their heads cut off isn't appealing. I know there is the chance that if I follow the Imperials that they may want to finish my execution (for whatever reason they had) but I still feel like if nothing else Hadvar will know how to get me out of this place and I can worry about escaping later. As it turns out he 'pardons' me after we are out and all is good.

As far as the two personality wise, honestly they both seem like good people.

Woman. I will never understand them.

Ralof is a good looking guy.

Ive gone with both.

I think Hadvar would. Dude is MASSIVE, plus military training. I also think sword & board outclasses DW.

I really like them both, but i since i suppirt the Empire i usually favor Hadvar. I only go with Ralof with Nords/Stormcloaks. Thats just how i feel comfortable doing it.

Both of them bring out the best in their respective factions though, clearly.