Bethesda is a studio that has been through its fair share of ups and downs in the gaming industry. However, even if their recent offerings haven't reached the high standards that most people expect from this studio, there's no denying that Bethesda has done a great job of crafting some of the most immersive and electrifying open-world RPGs of all time that fans can't get enough of to this day. Sure, their writing could use some work, but this should take nothing away from the numerous memorable characters that players have seen across numerous Bethesda games.
7 Bethesda Games With The Best Villain Rosters, Ranked
Bethesda games have spawned plenty of iconic villains. These are the games with the most impressive villainous lineup.
There aren't many characters with multifaceted personalities or complex motivations, but some people would argue that Bethesda doesn't need these elements to help fans enjoy the amazing content they have to offer in every video game. Still, that doesn't take away from the fact that some characters who show a modicum of selflessness end up being wildly memorable for all the right reasons.
5 Adoring Fan
Puts Himself In Harm's Way For The Future Hero Of Kvatch Just To Stay Close To Him
Oblivion is one of the best video games players can check out if they want to explore a diverse and interesting high-fantasy world. It marked a huge step towards the direction Bethesda would take for their future games, improving the core gameplay of the series while the overall quality of the writing took a backseat. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, especially with players getting lost in the wonders of Oblivion and the many things they could accomplish here, including the arena where they could eventually emerge as champions after a string of tough battles against worthy opponents.
However, victors should be warned that this fame will attract an adoring fan who will drop everything they're doing to follow the protagonist around in their travels. He's pretty useless in battle and dies a lot, but even his biggest haters have to admit that the Adoring Fan cares about the champion so much that he's willing to sacrifice his life to ensure that he can be as close to his idol as possible, which can be perceived as a selfless act in the eyes of many.
4 Ulfric Stormcloak
The Leader Of The Stormcloak Rebellion Who Genuinely Wants To See Skyrim Prosper
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Platform(s)
- PC , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 11, 2011
The civil war in Skyrim is a major storyline that players can have a direct hand in influencing. They can choose to either help the Imperials establish total control over the province or aid the Stormcloaks in gaining their freedom and hammering in the fact that Skyrim is and will continue to be the land of the Nords. The conflict is presented in a very black-and-white lens, with the Stormcloaks generally considered to be the group fighting on the side of good.
The leader of the rebels is Ulfric Stormcloak, a man who wishes to stake his claim to the throne and drive the Imperials out of this region. While his attempt to become king can be seen as selfish, It's clear that Ulfric genuinely cares about the people of Skyrim and puts himself in harm's way over and over again to ensure that Skyrim remains independent. To make his selflessness even more apparent, he is a king who spends a of time helping out his subjects like a king should.
3 Vivec
Perhaps The Only Benevolent God Who Looks Out For His People
Most deities in the world of The Elder Scrolls are either mad kings or people drunk with power who treat their subjects like peons. So, it's rare to see a god who genuinely cares for his subjects and goes out of his way to ensure that they live a long and prosperous life. This generosity is a huge reason why Vivec is beloved by the masses and considered by many to be one of the most charitable gods in the entire series.
5 Bethesda Games Where A Major Character Dies
These games published or developed by Bethesda are defined by character deaths that set strong emotional stakes and establish narrative pace.
Coming from humble beginnings, Vivec has been everything from a noble knight to a thuggish rogue and everything in between. He has a great understanding of the human condition and uses this empathy to help out his people from a position of divinity, which is pretty impressive for obvious reasons.
2 Mysterious Stranger
Comes Out Of Nowhere To Help The Protagonist From Time To Time And Asks Nothing In Return
Fallout 4
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 10, 2015
The Fallout series is full to the brim with memorable characters that players can't get enough of, but there's one figure who is easily one of the weirdest characters in the entire series. Sometimes, if players have met the right perk, then their attempts to use VATS can be aided by a mysterious character wearing a beige overcoat and hat who can decimate most enemies with ease.
This character says nothing and just walks away after his job is done. Such oddities are a major reason why so many people love the Fallout series to bits. To this day, players have no idea why this person extends a helping hand to players without asking for anything in return, which is pretty odd in a post-apocalyptic world where no help is given for free.
1 Dogmeat
A Loyal Companion Who's Become A Consistent Part Of Fallout Time And Time Again
Ultimately, the most loyal and selfless companion anyone can have in real life or a video game is a dog who has formed a lasting bond with their master. Such a mutt is present in every Fallout game, with Dogmeat making a lasting impression on players time and time again. Players love exploring the post-apocalypse with this stalwart companion who can do no wrong.
The selfless nature of this companion manifests in the many ways Dogmeat puts himself in harm's way to save the protagonist while also searching for valuable items that the player can use. In return, he asks for nothing, which is why he's the goodest boy and one of the most selfless characters in any Bethesda game to date.
5 Best Bethesda Villains With Heroic Tendencies
Although these Bethesda characters are clearly villains, they do have a few oddly heroic tendencies that set them apart from the rest.
