In Skyrim, you will come across different sorts of races that you can select to play with. Each race has its own strength and weakness. However, it is not necessary that the strength of one race will be useful in Skyrim overall. In total, there are ten races in Skyrim, and some of them are Imperials, Nords, and Redguards. Once you know their specialty in Skyrim, then only you will be able to find out the best race among them.
- There are a total of ten races in Skyrim, and they include Orcs, Altmer, and Bosmer.
- Each race has its own special ability, such as Wood Elf’s Beast Tongue, Imperial’s Voice of the Emperor, and Orcs’ Berserker Rage.
- The Khajits are for players who prefer to sneak due to the +10 Sneak skill bonus and their natural resistance to disease. Moreover, their unique ability is the Night Eye which allows them to see in the dark.
- Wood Elves is the race for players who prefer a mix of stealth and agility. They get the skill bonus of +10 in Archery, they are fifty percent resistant to poison and disease, and they have the Beast Tongue power as a unique ability that allows them to command wild animals.
- If you want easy access to locked doors, then perhaps Argonians are the best race due to +10 Lockpicking. Moreover, they have fifty percent natural resistance to disease, and they can breathe underwater. Their unique ability is Hitskin which allows them to heal quickly.
- The Imperial race is for players who like to play the game politically, as they have a diplomatic playstyle. They excel in magic and combat, and their unique ability, the Voice of the Emperor’s power, allows them to pacify people in conversation. The most boost in skills they get is for restoration, which is +10.
- The Dark Elves prefer fighting alone and are fifty percent resistant to fire. They get a skill bonus of +10 Destruction, and the Ancestor Guardian’s unique ability allows them to summon an ancestor spirit to help them in battle.
- The Orsimer (Orcs) are known for aggressive gameplay, and they get a skill bonus of +10 heavy armor. Their unique ability is Berserker Rage which provides an adrenaline rush for heightened aggression.
- Redguards excel in close-range combat, and they get a +10 skill bonus in One-Handed. Their unique ability is Adrenaline Rush which increases their stamina. Moreover, the Redguards are fifty percent resistant to poison.
- Nords are fifty percent resistant to cold with a skill bonus of +10 in two-handed. Their unique ability is Battle Cry which allows them to intimidate nearby enemies, making them flee or become less effective in battle.
- The High Elf (Altmer) race has a magic-based playstyle with a skill bonus of +10 Illusion. Their unique ability is The Highborn which allows them to regenerate their Magicka quickly.
- Bretons have twenty-five percent resistance to magic with the highest skill bonus of +10 Conjuration. Their unique ability is Dragon Skin power, which allows them to increase their resistance to magic temporarily.
- The most overpowered race in Skyrim is Breton, as they are the apex predators who use powerful magic while being resistant to it.
- However, choosing a race is subjective, and it mostly depends on your playstyle.
BEST Mage Races In Skyrim
The strengths and weaknesses consist of certain skills that are more easily leveled up or certain types of magic that are more effective. Moreover, some races have certain cultural or societal prejudices in the game. Therefore, they can affect the way NPCs interact with your character. Consider Nords and Imperials, they have a history of conflict so that some NPCs may react differently to your character based on their race.
Furthermore, some races have specific racial abilities, for example, Khajiit’s Night Eye, Argonians Histskin, and Bretons Dragonskin. These are abilities that are unique to that race and can be useful in certain situations. So, selecting a race in Skyrim will allow you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle and also provide a better experience that allows you to explore the map with a unique perspective.
The 10 Races
To give you a quick introduction to the ten races, they are as follows:
- Nords: They are a fierce and hardy race of men who are at home in the Snowy Tundras of Skyrim. Their main skill consists of two-handed weapons and heavy armor.
- Imperials: They are a proud race of culture containing men who possess skills in both magic and combat. They are the rulers of the Tamriel empire.
- Redguards: A race of dark skin men who hail from the province of Hammerfell. The Redguards master in skill of one-handed weapons and shields.
- Bretons: A race of men who excel in magic and have a natural resistance to it. They hail from the province of High Rock.
- Orcs: A fierce and proud race of goblin-like creatures who excel in heavy armor and two-handed weapons. The Orcs hail from the province of Morrowind.
- Altmer (High Elves): They are tall elves having golden skin who have mastery over magic and archery. You will find them in the province of Summerset Isles.
- Bosmer (Wood Elves): They are short and agile elves who are masters in archery and stealth due to their size. They have always preferred to keep their stronghold in the province of Valenwood.
- Dunmer (Dark Elves): The dark-skinned elves who have mastery over magic and have a natural resistance to fire. Morrowind is the province where these Dark Elves prefer to reside.
- Argonians: The reptilian creatures who excel in light armor and have a natural resistance to disease. You will find them in the province of Black Marsh.
- Khajiit: The feline creatures who are skilled in sneaking and have a natural resistance to disease. Elsweyr is the province where you will find them the most.
10. Khajit
The skill bonuses that you get as a Khajit are:
- +10 Sneak
- +5 Archery
- +5 Pickpocket
- +5 One-Handed
- +5 Alchemy
- +5 Lockpicking
Apart from that, many of the Khajits you see will be merchants, traders, and thieves. Unfortunately, they have involved themselves in addictive substances, which include moon sugar and skooma. Other than that, some Khajiits are also known for their involvement in the illegal trade of such substances.
9. Wood Elf (Bosmer)
The Wood Elves have 50% resistance to both disease and poison, which makes them a good candidate for defense. Their skill bonuses include:
- +10 Archery
- +5 Light Armor
- +5 Alchemy
- +5 Sneak
- +5 Pickpocket
- +5 Lockpicking
Apart from that, the Wood Elves are known for their deep connection to nature and the forest. They are fiercely protective of their homeland and are considered to be natural warriors. Moreover, they are also known for their use of the Green Pact, which prohibits them from cutting down trees or using wood. Rather, they use Chitin as a replacement.
8. Argonian
The Argonians start off with the following skills:
- +10 Lockpicking
- +5 Alteration
- +5 Sneak
- +5 Light Armor
- +5 Pickpocket
- +5 Restoration
Moreover, as an Argonian, you will experience their mastery in adaptability and resilience. They have a unique relationship with Hist Trees, which they consider to be sacred. The Hist Trees are the reason for Argonian’s ability to heal quickly. Other than that, they are also famous for their intelligence and their skills in infiltration and thievery.
7. Imperial
One of their most notable abilities is the Voice of the Emperor’s power. The ability allows you to pacify people in conversation. Not only can you use the ability for a better diplomatic playstyle, but it can allow you to defuse tense situations and, in some cases, even avoid combat.
The skills bonuses you get as an Imperial are:
- +10 Restoration
- +5 Destruction
- +5 Block
- +5 One-Handed
- +5 Heavy Armor
- +5 Enchanting
Moreover, they start with a higher level of gold, which will allow you to buy and sell items early on in the game. The Imperials showed off their military prowess and strong centralized government through their culture and architecture. They also reflect their strong sense of order in their dialogue options, using formal and respectful language.
6. Dunmer (Dark Elf)
Moreover, the signature ability of the Dark Elves is the Ancestor Guardian power. It will allow you to summon an ancestor spirit to aid you in battle. Most of the time, it will be a significant advantage for you, as it allows you to have an extra ally in combat.
The skill bonuses of Dark Elf are:
- +10 Destruction
- +5 Alchemy
- +5 Sneak
- +5 Light Armor
- +5 Alteration
- +5 Illusion
Moreover, the Dark Elves showcase their proficiency in magic and their skill with the sword and the bow. They are socially polite and humble and it is visible in their dialogue options. The options include more respectful and formal language.
5. Orsimer (Orcs)
The skill bonuses of Orcs include:
- +10 Heavy Armor
- +5 Enchanting
- +5 Block
- +5 Two-Handed
- +5 One-Handed
- +5 Smithing
When it comes to strength, the Berserker Rage power is the main ability of the Orcs. The ability allows the Orcs to enter combat effectiveness with a state of heightened aggression. Moreover, it can bring a significant advantage for you if you prefer a more offensive playstyle. Not only will it allow you to deal more damage, but it will also let you take on more difficult challenges.
4. Redguard
Moreover, the Adrenaline Rush power is the distinct ability of Redguards. It will increase your stamina regeneration for a short period of time. Additionally, it is super useful for players who prefer a more active playstyle, as it allows them to perform more actions and maintain a sustained level of combat effectiveness. Therefore, if you want to keep on going in a fight, you should think about picking Redguard.
The skill bonuses include:
- +10 One-Handed
- +5 Archery
- +5 Alteration
- +5 Destruction
- +5 Smithing
- +5 Block
3. Nord
The skill bonuses that you will get as a Nord are:
- +10 Two-Handed
- +5 Block
- +5 Smithing
- +5 Light Armor
- +5 One-Handed
- +5 Speech
Apart from that, Nords can get quite dangerous once they use their Battle Cry power. It allows them to intimidate nearby enemies, which makes them flee or become less effective in battle. So, if you feel a bit more aggressive in the middle of the fight, don’t hesitate to use it. The Battle Cry will allow you to gain control on the battlefield and take on more difficult challenges.
Lastly, before you pick up Nords, remember that they have a strong sense of tradition, and they follow the footsteps of their ancestors strictly. As a Nord, you will get to witness a number of fights as they have a unique love for battles. The reason for that might be their nature of aggression which you will see in chat options with various NPCs.
2. High Elf (Altmer)
The skills of a High Elf include:
- +10 Illusion
- +5 Conjuration
- +5 Alteration
- +5 Restoration
- +5 Enchanting
- +5 Destruction
1. Breton
Moreover, they are also known for their 25% natural resistance to magic. On the loading screen, you might see 50% resistance, but actually, it is only 25%. The skill bonuses of Bretons include:
- +10 Conjuration
- +5 Alteration
- +5 Alchemy
- +5 Speech
- +5 Restoration
- Illusion: +5
Moreover, the Bretons’ signature ability is the Dragon Skin power, which allows them to temporarily increase their resistance to magic. It is most useful for players who prefer a more magic-based playstyle, as it allows them to survive against High Elves and spells. Lastly, they are also popular for their intelligence and their skills in thievery and infiltration. These skills make them well-suited for players who prefer a stealth-based playstyle.
Final Words
All in all, there are ten races, and the best one in Skyrim V depends on your playstyle. However, in most cases, if not all, you will find Breton and High Elves dominate the battlefield with the help of their magic. Since magic is not the only tactic in Skyrim, you can even use Khajits to defeat an enemy through perfect sneak.
Apart from the fights and races, you should also take a look into Making Gold With The Transmute Spell and Skyrim Alchemy Recipes so you can understand the game mechanics well. Moreover, Here Are All The Black Book Locations In Skyrim that will help you complete the Black Book Quest.
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