The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a vast and open-world RPG that offers players countless ways to experience its rich lore and gameplay. One of the most popular ways to play Skyrim is to roleplay as a particular race, each with its unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. In this article, we will explore the best races for Skyrim, taking into account their starting bonuses, racial abilities, and overall playability.
When choosing the best race for Skyrim, it is important to consider your playstyle and preferences. If you prefer playing as a melee fighter, you may want to choose a race with bonuses to strength and endurance, such as the Nords or Orcs. If you prefer playing as a mage, you may want to choose a race with bonuses to intelligence and magicka, such as the Bretons or High Elves. Ultimately, the best race for you is the one that you find most enjoyable to play.
In addition to their starting bonuses, each race in Skyrim also has a number of unique racial abilities. These abilities can provide significant advantages in combat, exploration, or other aspects of the game. For example, the Nords have a racial ability that grants them resistance to cold damage, while the Bretons have a racial ability that grants them bonuses to magicka regeneration. When choosing a race, it is important to consider which racial abilities would be most beneficial to your playstyle.
A Skyrim Race Guide for Beginners and Advanced Players
The Best Race for Beginners
Choosing the right race for your Skyrim journey can make all the difference, especially for novice players. The versatile Imperial is an excellent pick for beginners, boasting a well-balanced set of attributes and versatile racial abilities.
Imperial
- Pros:
- Versatile attributes: +10 to all attributes, providing a solid foundation for various playstyles.
- Racial abilities:
- Voice of the Emperor: Pacify nearby enemies for 60 seconds, ideal for defusing tense encounters.
- Imperial Luck: Grants an extra 100 gold per level, boosting your economic growth.
- Cyrodilic Blood: 15% resistance to fire, which becomes handy in certain dungeon environments.
- Starting town: Imperial City, an iconic hub with various shops, guilds, and quest opportunities.
- Cons:
- None notable, making it a highly suitable choice for beginners.
Other beginner-friendly races include the human Nord, the elven Altmer, and the beast race Khajiit, each offering unique strengths and weaknesses.
Choosing the Best Skyrim Race for Your Playstyle
Choosing the right race in Skyrim can greatly enhance your gaming experience. Each race comes with unique abilities, bonuses, and playstyles that cater to different preferences. This guide will help you select the most suitable race for your desired gameplay.
Offensive-Oriented Races
If you desire a race that excels in combat and deals massive damage, the following races are excellent choices:
- Nord: Nords are hardy warriors with a 50% resistance to Frost damage. Their “Battle Cry” racial ability boosts nearby allies’ melee damage.
- Redguard: Redguards are skilled warriors resistant to Poison. They possess the “Adrenaline Rush” ability that increases their attack speed while low on health.
- Orc: Orcs are brutal fighters with a 50% resistance to Disease. Their “Berserker Rage” ability increases their melee damage output at the cost of defense.
Stealth-Oriented Races
For players who prefer a sneaky and stealthy approach, the following races are ideal:
- Khajiit: Khajiits are agile and have a 15% bonus to Unarmed damage. Their “Night Eye” ability allows them to see clearly in the dark.
- Argonian: Argonians have a 50% resistance to Disease and can breathe underwater. Their “Histskin” ability regenerates their health rapidly when out of combat.
- Bosmer: Bosmers are swift and have a 30% resistance to Poison. Their “Command Animal” ability allows them to tame animals to aid them in combat.
Magic-Oriented Races
For those who value magical prowess, the following races excel in arcane arts:
- Breton: Bretons have a 25% resistance to Magic and a 50% resistance to Dragonshouts. Their “Magicka Absorption” ability absorbs Magicka from enemies.
- Altmer: Altmer are nature-attuned mages with a 50% bonus to Magicka regeneration. Their “Highborn” ability increases their Magicka pool.
- Dunmer: Dunmer are skilled in Destruction magic with a 50% resistance to Fire. Their “Ancestors’ Wrath” ability summons a fire elemental to fight alongside them.
The Dark Elf: A Shadowy and Enigmatic Race
The Dark Elves, also known as the Dunmer, are a mysterious and captivating race native to the eastern province of Morrowind. Descendants of the ancient Chimer, they have endured hardship, exile, and religious turmoil, shaping them into the formidable and enigmatic people they are today.
Physical Characteristics
Dark Elves are distinguished by their ebony skin, piercing red eyes, and ashen hair. Their keen eyesight and agility make them adept at stealth and combat. Additionally, they possess a natural resistance to fire due to their ancestors’ close association with volcanoes.
Cultural Heritage
The Dark Elves have a rich cultural heritage rooted in their close ties to the Daedric Princes, particularly Azura, Boethiah, and Mephala. Their art, architecture, and religion reflect their complex relationship with these powerful beings. They value ancestor worship, honor, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Role in Skyrim
In Skyrim, Dark Elves are a common sight in the cities and towns. Many serve as merchants, guards, or entertainers, while others embrace a life of adventure or faith. Their unique abilities and enigmatic nature make them intriguing companions or formidable adversaries.
| Skill Bonuses |
|---|
| Destruction +10 |
| Conjuration +5 |
| Illusion +5 |
| Alteration +5 |
| Alchemy +5 |
These racial bonuses make Dark Elves particularly suited for roles that involve magic, stealth, and manipulation. Their resistance to fire also provides an advantage in volcanic environments or against flame-wielding enemies.
The High Elf: A Proud and Arrogant Race
The High Elf, or Altmer, is a race of tall, slender elves who are known for their intelligence, magic, and arrogance. They are the most civilized and advanced of the elven races, and they have a long and rich history.
Culture
The High Elves are a proud and arrogant people who believe that they are superior to all other races. They are very traditional and value their culture and heritage above all else. They are also very religious, and they worship the Aedra, the gods of the Elder Scrolls universe.
History
The High Elves were once the masters of the Summerset Isles, but they were defeated by the Direnni Hegemony, a coalition of human and elven states. The High Elves were forced to flee their homeland and they settled in Skyrim, where they founded the Aldmeri Dominion. The Aldmeri Dominion is a powerful alliance of High Elves, Wood Elves, and Khajiit that seeks to restore the High Elves to their former glory.
Racial Abilities
The High Elves have a number of racial abilities that make them well-suited for a variety of playstyles. These abilities include:
- Highborn: Grants a bonus to magicka, magicka regeneration, and spell absorption.
- Dominion: Grants a bonus to illusion spells.
- Arcane Ancestry: Grants a bonus to enchanting and alchemy.
Specialization
The High Elves are best suited for playing as mages or sorcerers. Their high magicka and magicka regeneration make them ideal for casting powerful spells, and their racial bonuses to illusion, enchanting, and alchemy make them well-rounded in all aspects of spellcasting.
| Stat | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Magicka | +50 |
| Magicka Regeneration | +10% |
| Spell Absorption | +5% |
| Illusion Spells | +15% |
| Enchanting | +5 |
| Alchemy | +5 |
The Orc: A Primitive and Ferocious Race
The Orcs of Skyrim are a race of fierce and primitive warriors who hail from the mountains of Orsinium. They are known for their strength, endurance, and love of battle.
Physical Appearance
Orcs are tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and powerful arms. Their skin is a deep green, and their eyes are typically a bright red. They have long, tusked snouts and pointed ears. Orcs wear simple clothing made from leather and fur, and they often adorn themselves with tribal tattoos.
Culture
Orcs are a fiercely independent people who value strength and honor above all else. They live in clans, each of which is led by a chief. Orcs are skilled warriors, and they are always ready to defend their homes from outsiders.
Religion
Orcs worship Malacath, the Daedric Prince of Curses. They believe that Malacath created them as a race of warriors, and they pray to him for strength and guidance in battle.
Skills and Abilities
Orcs are born warriors, and they are skilled in all forms of combat. They are also strong and durable, making them difficult to defeat in battle. In addition, Orcs have a natural resistance to magic.
Racial Abilities
Orcs have a number of racial abilities that make them well-suited for combat:
| Ability | Effect |
|---|---|
| Berserker Rage | Increases damage output and resistance to damage |
| Orc’s Blood | Increases health |
| Strong Back | Increases carry weight |
The Wood Elf: A Nimble and Agile Race
The Wood Elves, also known as Bosmer, are a race of elves native to the forests of Valenwood. They are known for their agility, speed, and skill in archery.
Nimble and Agile
Wood Elves are the most agile race in Skyrim. They have a natural bonus to their movement speed and stamina, making them ideal for stealthy or ranged combat.
Natural Archers
Wood Elves are also highly skilled archers. They have a natural bonus to their archery damage and can fire arrows more quickly than other races.
Racial Bonuses
The Wood Elves’ racial bonuses include:
| Bonus | Description |
|---|---|
| +10 Agility | Increases movement speed and stamina |
| +5 Archery | Increases archery damage and firing speed |
| 50% Resistance to Disease | Reduces the chance of contracting diseases |
| +5% Enchanting | Increases the potency of enchanted items |
| 50% Resistance to Tree Stings | Reduces the damage taken from tree stings |
The Best Race in Skyrim
When it comes to the best race in Skyrim, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best race for you will depend on your playstyle, preferred combat style, and role-playing preferences. However, some races offer more advantages than others in certain areas.
For example, the Imperial race gets a bonus to speech and Mercantile, making them ideal for merchants and diplomats. The Nord race is well-suited for melee combat, with bonuses to One-Handed and Two-Handed skills. And the High Elf race has a natural affinity for magic, with bonuses to Magicka and Conjuration.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which race is right for you is to experiment and find one that fits your playstyle. You can always create multiple characters of different races and see which one you enjoy the most.
People Also Ask
What is the best race for a warrior in Skyrim?
The Nord race is the best choice for a warrior in Skyrim. They get bonuses to One-Handed and Two-Handed skills, as well as a 50% resistance to frost damage. This makes them ideal for melee combat, whether you’re using swords, axes, or maces.
What is the best race for a mage in Skyrim?
The High Elf race is the best choice for a mage in Skyrim. They get bonuses to Magicka and Conjuration, as well as a 50% resistance to magic damage. This makes them ideal for casting spells, summoning creatures, and defending themselves from enemy mages.
What is the best race for a thief in Skyrim?
The Khajiit race is the best choice for a thief in Skyrim. They get bonuses to Sneak and Lockpicking, as well as a 15% chance to avoid detection. This makes them ideal for sneaking around, stealing items, and picking locks.
