Your journey begins with character creation, where you choose your race, gender, and appearance. Each of the ten playable races offers unique starting skills and a special racial ability, influencing your early game experience. While you can build any character with any race, some races naturally excel in certain playstyles. For example, Nords are adept warriors, while High Elves are powerful mages. Consider your preferred playstyle when making your choice, but remember that ultimately, your skill progression will define your character.
Racial Bonuses Overview
| Race | Starting Skills | Racial Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Argonian | Light Armor +5, Alteration +5, Restoration +5, Sneak +5, Pickpocket +5, One-Handed +5 | Histskin (Regenerate Health 10x faster for 60s, once per day), Waterbreathing |
| Breton | Conjuration +10, Alchemy +5, Alteration +5, Illusion +5, Restoration +5, Speech +5 | Dragonskin (Absorb 50% of incoming spell damage for 60s, once per day), Magic Resistance (25%) |
| Dark Elf (Dunmer) | Destruction +10, Alchemy +5, Alteration +5, Light Armor +5, Sneak +5, One-Handed +5 | Ancestor's Wrath (Surround yourself in fire for 60s, once per day), Resist Fire (50%) |
| High Elf (Altmer) | Illusion +10, Alteration +5, Conjuration +5, Destruction +5, Restoration +5, Enchanting +5 | Highborn (Regenerate Magicka faster for 60s, once per day), +50 Magicka |
| Imperial | Restoration +10, Block +5, Destruction +5, Enchanting +5, Heavy Armor +5, One-Handed +5 | Voice of the Emperor (Calm nearby people for 60s, once per day), Find more gold |
| Khajiit | Sneak +10, Alchemy +5, Archery +5, Lockpicking +5, One-Handed +5, Pickpocket +5 | Night Eye (Improved night vision for 60s, unlimited uses), Claw attacks (15 unarmed damage) |
| Nord | Two-Handed +10, Block +5, Light Armor +5, One-Handed +5, Smithing +5, Speech +5 | Battle Cry (Targets flee for 30s, once per day), Resist Frost (50%) |
| Orc | Heavy Armor +10, Block +5, Enchanting +5, One-Handed +5, Two-Handed +5, Smithing +5 | Berserker Rage (Take half damage and deal double damage for 60s, once per day) |
| Redguard | One-Handed +10, Archery +5, Block +5, Destruction +5, Heavy Armor +5, Smithing +5 | Adrenaline Rush (Stamina regenerates faster for 60s, once per day), Resist Poison (50%) |
| Wood Elf (Bosmer) | Archery +10, Alchemy +5, Light Armor +5, Lockpicking +5, Pickpocket +5, Sneak +5 | Command Animal (Make an animal an ally for 60s, once per day), Resist Poison (50%), Resist Disease (50%) |