Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-25343239-20150319182007/@comment-101.100.176.95-20180309084304

Magic is an advantage not an overwhelming advantage. If it was that overwhelming, they wouldn't have lost an entire Aldmeri army in Cyrodiil or withdraw from Hammerfell before the point where continuing the war against Redguards was pointless.

Defensively the Summerset Isles/Alinor is impregnable unless they can somehow get another Numidium or equivalent. If the Aldmeri Dominion are equivalent to modern army/Stormtroopers with Lightsaber wielding Force users, then the Empire's army are just a little to twice as strong as a Dark Age army. By your logic the Empire will also be obliterated and there is no point in this argument because either ways they lose.

The people in Tamriel live in a world where Magic is very real. They have at least some knowledge about it. Hammerfell's culture shares similarities with Skyrim and they still managed to hold their own against Aldmeri Dominion for 5 years. Even if they have been weakened in terms of numbers, by your logic it shouldn't have been the case because with magic they should have an overwhelming advantage, the Thalmor shouldn't have to make a tactical retreat from Hammerfell.

The outcome of the skirmishes in game cannot be used as a gauge because I have seen either sides lose to the other. Although Imperials lose the most often to both Thalmor and Stormcloaks, I don't believe that is the case in Lore perspective