Which race should I choose?
What race should you choose in Elder Scrolls Online? Which race is the best race? Well that is going to depend on your role! The class you choose really doesn’t have an impact on the race, but the role you choose absolutely does. Lets look at what the best race is for each role.
Stam DPS
Best:
Dark Elf
Alternatives:
Khajiit
Orc
High Elf
Redguard
Wood Elf
Mag DPS
Best:
High Elf
Alternatives:
Dark Elf
Khajiit
Orc
Breton
Healer
Best:
Breton
Alternatives:
Argonian
High Elf
Khajiit
Dark Elf
Tank
Best:
Nord
Alternatives:
Argonian
Imperial
Redguard
Why?
Dark Elf, and High Elf’s currently provide the highest DPS output. Breton’s allow for the best sustain so that healers can keep on healing. Nords benefit from the best damage mitigation passives and ult regen.
Do I have to pick one of these?
What if you don’t like the META options? Fear not! The alternatives perform almost as well. While choosing the right race for your build certainly helps, it will not make or break your character!
Racial Passives
Breton
- +2000 Max Magicka
- -7% Magicka Abilities Cost
- +130 Magicka Recovery
- +2310 Spell Resistance
- +2310 Extra spell resistance if Burning, Chilled, or Concussed
- +15% Light Armor Skill Line XP, +1% Alliance Point gain
Dark Elf
- +1910 Max Stamina
- +1910 Max Magicka
- +258 Weapon Damage
- +258 Spell Damage
- +4620 Flame Resistance
- +15% Dual Wield Skill Line XP, -50% damage from lava
High Elf
- +2000 Max Magica
- +258 Spell Damage
- +258 Weapon Damage
- Restore 625 of lowest Magicka or Stamina after activating any ability
- +5% Damage reduction while casting abilities
- +15% Destruction Staff Skill Line, +1% Generic XP Gain
Imperial
- +2000 Max Health
- +2000 Max Stamina
- -6% cost of all abilities
- +15% One hand and Shield Skill Line XP, +1% Extra Gold gain
Khajiit
- +915 Max Health, Magicka, and Stamina
- +100 Health Recovery
- +85 Magicka and Stamina Recovery
- +12% Crit Damage
- +12% Crit Healing
- -3 meter Stealth Detected Radius
- +15% Medium Armor Skill Line XP, +5% Pickpocket
Nord
- +1500 Max Stamina
- +1000 Health
- +2600 Physical Resistance
- +2600 Spell Resistance
- +4620 Cold Resistance
- +5 Ultimate generation when taking damage (10s CD)
- +15% Two-Handed Skill Line XP, +15 Extra minutes on drink buffs
Orc
- +1000 Max Stamina
- +1000 Max Health
- +2125 heal when dealing damage (4s CD)
- +258 Weapon Damage
- +258 Spell Damage
- +10% Sprint Speed, -12% Sprint Cost
- +15% Heavy Armor Skill Line XP, +10% Inspiration
Redguard
- +2000 Max Stamina
- -8% Weapon Ability Cost
- -15% Snare Slowing
- +1005 Stamina Restore when dealing Damage (5s CD)
- +15% One Hand and Shield skill line XP, +15 Minutes Extra on food buffs
Wood Elf
- +2000 Max Stamina
- +258 Stamina Recovery
- +2130 Poison and Disease Resistance
- +3 meter Stealth Detection
- 5% Move Speed
- +950 Physical and Spell Penetration
- +10% Fall Damage Protection
- +15% Bow Skill Line XP
- ***Known to frequently eat friends, neighbors, and family members. Be wary. See : Cannibals (green pact)