Which race should I choose?

Let’s start with the META

Stamina DPS

Best:
Orc

Alternatives:
Redguard
Wood Elf
Dark Elf
Khajiit

Magicka DPS

Best:
High Elf

Alternatives:
Breton
Dark Elf
Khajiit

Healer

Best:
Breton

Alternatives:
Argonian
High Elf
Khajiit

Tank

Best:
Nord

Alternatives:
Redguard
Imperial
Argonian

Why?

Orcs, 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

Argonian

  • +1000 Max Magicka
  • +1000 Max Health
  • +6% Healing Done
  • +2310 Disease Resistance
  • +Diseased Immunity
  • +4000 Health, Magicka, and Stamina when drinking a potion
  • +15% Restoration Staff Skill Line XP, +50% Swimming Speed

Breton

  • +2000 Max Magicka
  • -7% Magicka Abilities Cost
  • +100 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

  • +1875 Max Stamina
  • +1875 Max Magicka
  • +258 Weapon Damage
  • +258 Spell Damage
  • +2310 Flame Resistance
  • +burning Immunity
  • +15% Dual Wield Skill Line XP, -50% damage from lava

High Elf

  • +2000 Max Magica
  • +258 Spell Damage
  • Restore 645 of lowest Magicka or Stamina after activating a class ability (6s CD)
  • +5% Damage reduction while casting abilities
  • +15% Destruction Staff Skill Line, +1% Generic XP Gain

Imperial

  • +2000 Max Health
  • +2000 Max Stamina
  • -3% cost of all abilities and restore 333 Health, Magicka, and Stamina when you deal direct damage (5s CD)
  • +15% One hand and Shield Skill Line XP, +1% Extra Gold gain

Khajiit

  • +825 Max Health, Magicka, and Stamina
  • +100 Health Recovery
  • +85 Magicka and Stamina Recovery
  • +10% Crit Damage
  • +10% Crit Healing
  • -3 meter Stealth Detected Radius
  • +15% Medium Armor Skill Line XP, +5% Pickpocket

Nord

  • +1500 Max Stamina
  • +1000 Health
  • +3960 Physical Resistance
  • +3960 Spell Resistance
  • +2310 Cold Resistance
  • +Chilled Immunity
  • +5 Ultimate generation when taking damage (10s CD)
  • +15% Two-Handed Skill Line XP, +15 Extra minutes on drink buffs

Orc

  • +2000 Max Stamina
  • +1000 Max Health & +600 heal when dealing damage with a weapon (4s CD)
  • +258 Weapon 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
  • +950 Stamina Restore when dealing Direct 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 Resistance
  • +Poisoned Immunity
  • +3 meter Stealth Detection
  • After Roll Dodge Gain:
    • 10% Move Speed
    • +1500 Physical and Spell Penetration for duration
  • +15% Bow Skill Line XP
  • +10% Fall Damage Protection
  • ***Known to frequently eat friends, neighbors, and family members. Be wary. See : Cannibals (green pact)

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