Races
Choosing a race in Skyrim is more than just an aesthetic decision; it influences your starting skills, grants unique racial abilities, and can subtly affect how certain NPCs react to you. Each of the ten playable races offers distinct advantages that can complement various playstyles, from stealthy assassins to powerful mages and resilient warriors.
Your chosen race provides a foundation for your character's journey. While any race can eventually master any skill, starting with bonuses in certain areas can give you an early edge. Furthermore, each race possesses a unique Active Ability and a passive bonus that can be incredibly useful throughout your adventures in Tamriel.
The Ten Playable Races
Here's a brief overview of each race:
| Race | Starting Skill Bonuses | Unique Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Argonian | Light Armor, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Restoration, Alteration, Sneak | Histskin (Health regenerates 10x faster for 60 seconds) |
| Breton | Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Illusion, Restoration, Speech | Dragonskin (Absorb 50% of Magicka from hostile spells for 60 seconds) |
| Dark Elf (Dunmer) | Destruction, Illusion, Alteration, Light Armor, Sneak, Alchemy | Ancestor's Wrath (Surrounds caster in fire for 60 seconds) |
| High Elf (Altmer) | Illusion, Conjuration, Destruction, Alteration, Restoration, Enchanting | Highborn (Magicka regenerates 10x faster for 60 seconds) |
| Imperial | Restoration, Destruction, Alteration, Illusion, One-Handed, Block | Voice of the Emperor (Calms nearby people for 60 seconds) |
| Khajiit | Sneak, Archery, One-Handed, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Alchemy | Night Eye (Grants superior night vision for 60 seconds) |
| Nord | Two-Handed, Block, Light Armor, One-Handed, Smithing, Speech | Battle Cry (Targets flee for 30 seconds) |
| Orc | Heavy Armor, Block, Two-Handed, Smithing, Enchanting, Archery | Berserker Rage (Deal double damage and take half damage for 60 seconds) |
| Redguard | One-Handed, Block, Archery, Light Armor, Smithing, Alteration | Adrenaline Rush (Stamina regenerates 10x faster for 60 seconds) |
| Wood Elf (Bosmer) | Archery, Light Armor, Sneak, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Alchemy | Command Animal (Forces an animal to be your ally for 60 seconds) |
Consider your preferred playstyle when making your choice. A Nord might excel as a warrior, while a High Elf is naturally suited for a mage, and a Khajiit for a thief.