You're forgetting that the Tribunal were mortals, too.
"Gods" that were really mortals that messed with a source of divine power.
That's the only reason why they could be killed. Even then, only because they lost access to a source of power that wasn't theirs to begin with.
(Edit): The point remains that the actual gods of TES can't "die" at all. Losing corporeal bodies isn't the same as "dying" to divine beings (and even then, it's only because most of them willingly gave up their corporeal forms).
So why don't they recreate their bodies, in order to act as a conduit (assuming that gods need something like that)?
I mean, there's certainly evidence that a god doesn't necessarily bear corporeal form (Hermaeus Mora, the Ideal Masters, etc), but I think in order to directly influence events they need to be able to physically perform actions. That's why Daedric quests have you carrying out their will-- they can't influence things directly.
I would argue that an utter inability to control what happens in Nirn indicates a loss of godhood, which I would call death. Death isn't necessarily final in TES, so they can talk to people (in the same way a Dremora can: temporarily). But they can't change things.
Well, inability to change things is part of the essence of an Aedra. The Aedra can create but not change, the Daedra can change but not create. The reason that the Daedra so frequently work through mortal agents is because the Dragonfires (and later Akatosh's intervention, I think) prevent them from manifesting fully into the world. Ordinarily they would be able to.
As far as I'm concerned, a "god" is anything that people worship, from a golden idol to an all-powerful creator. Whether it has powers or not is irrelevant. In the context of TES, though, the "divines" colloquially refers to the dieties of the Imperial pantheon, and they are certainly not dead--or, at least, Akatosh is not because he uses Martin as an avatar to defeat Mehrunes Dagon and then gives the dragon soul to our Dragonborn. He may be special, being the God of Time and all.
The divines in general are unable to do anything, really, other than bestow some amount of blessing upon favored individuals. They lost their active agency in the world when Lorkhan tricked them into sacrificing power to create Mundus.
I thought this was about boss fights between Miraak and Harkon but Miraak would win, I mean he can one shot a dragon like a boss!!!
>How about an 8 month Necro-Bump
Miraak is obviously the better antagonist, coming back to this thread 8 months later.
He's even a more powerful Dragonborn than the player-character, also having the ability to one-shot Dragons with a Shout only he knows.
Though Miraak and his followers could wipe out both the Stormcloaks and the Legion by one fell swoop.
Well both have there ups and downs.
Miraak- There wasnt an insane amount to his character, other then people deceptive and powerful. But his background as 1st Dragonborn seems like a more exciting final boss then a generic Vampire(Pure Blood or not) His Voice and appearance are also amazing.
Harkon- He has slightly more character to him, especialy if ya joined his side. The main character to him is his ego, which is always fun to destroy :D To me, He also seemed a little more evil, to the point that no matter your side you still have to face him. But the best part of the fight itself is Seren'a comments during the fight.
Answar- Miraak was definitely a better villain. But when it comes to there TRUE fight, Harkon wins. Miraak is more annoying to play against, not only that you dont even get to kill him. Harkon's fight is epic, and you actually DO get to kill him.
(That there be a necro-bump.)
Miraak all the way, I killed Harkon before he could even attempt to fight back whereas Miraak was a huge challenge and very powerful. Miraak is by far the superior villain Harkon is little more than your generic vampire with not much to him and I found him to be very unoriginal, Miraak on the other hand has a unique look, badass abilities and an awesome voice, besides dragonborn>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>vampire lord.