User blog comment:AveryWood/Reasons Why Going With the Empire is Better/@comment-1967485-20120818180540/@comment-1967485-20120821220955

@Sabre225:

1: I believe the Blades agents who were killed for the whole "Cart" incident were only from Summerset and Valenwood, remember that the Thalmor used argression and force against the Empire to take Valenwood. As stated, the Thalmor did cut off all communications with the weak Empire, but I think they should of reacted when Blades agents started disappearing, Valenwood was lost to the Thalmor, and Thalmor agents/collaborators started popping up in Imperial provinces.

2: Yeah, with the Civil War and everything, the new emperor will most likely wage war, meaning he gets badass Nords and legions of troops (Heavy Armor Orcs ftw). I do agree that Thalmor troops may have more experience than some Legion troops, but remember that not all members of the Thalmor are elite, battle-hardened troops. 1) Ancano, 2) Sanyon, 3) Estormo are all misfits,1 only wanting their own power, 2 is foolish enough to underestimate others, and 3 is horribly misinformed, yet very confident.

3: Yes, skills/experience do add up, but Thalmor troops go down all the time because of their ignorance. Sure, the Thalmor have some really experienced troops, Elewen for example, but a few skilled people here and there don't do much. It's the same for the Legion, who send the weakest first (lore wise, of course). Also, there are not a lot of experienced Thalmor wizards game-wise, as they seem to be officers/special agents. And the Empire "just keeping peace" is another example of the Empire ignoring the Thalmor. Altmer had a lot more ease keeping Oblivion/daedra out of their lands, while half a townguard seemed to take on gates in Cyrodiil. I think the Empire should of noticed the THalmor as a threat, as they had done hostile acts before, and could easily do so when the Empire is weak.