Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-25343239-20150319182007/@comment-32014963-20180309003055

Holy Galactic Emperor wrote: The problem is, the Stormcloaks are basically the equivalent of a Dark Ages army while the Thalmor soldiers are what happens when Stormtroopers carry lightsabers and shoot lightning from their fingertips. Even if they were to fight the Summerset Isles alone, no Valenwood, no Elsweyr, the Stormcloaks will still lose. Badly. Lightsabers or not. Magic from common footsoldiers from the Thalmor doesn't have that overwhelming advantage as you believe to be.

But yes, while the Aldmeri army is smaller they are better equipped have a more diverse skill set  while the Nords only have 1 advantage at the time of Skyrim being naturally stronger warriors.

I don't recall mentioning the situation in any of the Aldmeri provinces so I will not jump into conclusion on how strong they actually are considering they caught Empire off-guard while it was weakened, and still failed to destroy it puts a serious doubt that they will be as overwhelming as you think when their enemy is now cautious of them