Race & Starting Bonuses
Choosing your race in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a foundational decision that sificantly impacts your character's initial capabilities and potential. Each of the ten playable races possesses unique starting attribute bonuses and racial abilities, influencing their strengths in combat, magic, and stealth. Understanding these differences is key to building an effective character that als with your desired playstyle.
For example, the Nords receive a +10 bonus to Strength and a +5 bonus to Endurance, making them natural warriors. Their racial ability, Battle Cry, can cause enemies to flee, offering a tactical advantage in combat. Conversely, the High Elves (Altmer) start with a +10 bonus to Intelligence and a +5 bonus to Willpower, coupled with a natural resistance to magic and the ability to cast the spell 'Summon Ancestral Ghost'. This makes them well-suited for arcane pursuits.
The Dark Elves (Dunmer), native to Morrowind, are a balanced choice with bonuses to Agility and Willpower. Their Ancestral Wrath ability grants them a temporary boost to their Fire Damage, making them formidable in close combat. The Imperial race offers bonuses to Personality and Willpower, and their Voice of Peace ability can calm hostile creatures, useful for avoiding unnecessary conflict. Redguards excel in combat with bonuses to Strength and Endurance, and their Adrenaline Rush ability allows for a temporary burst of speed and fatigue recovery.
For those leaning towards stealth and dexterity, the Khajiit and Argonians are excellent choices. Khajiit gain bonuses to Agility and Speed, and their Night-Eye ability provides superior vision in darkness. Argonians, with their bonuses to Agility and Health, possess Water Breathing and Disease Resistance, making them adept at navigating Morrowind's diverse environments. The Bretons are magically inclined, with bonuses to Willpower and Intelligence, and their Dragonskin ability offers a chance to absorb incoming spells. Orcs are brute force characters, with sificant bonuses to Strength and Endurance, and their Berserk ability dramatically increases their attack power.
Finally, the Wood Elves (Bosmer) are agile and stealthy, with bonuses to Agility and Speed, and their Command Animal ability can turn beasts against their allies. When selecting your race, consider not only the immediate attribute boosts but also how the racial abilities synergize with your chosen class and births for a truly optimized character build.