Choosing the Right Race in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)

Choosing the right race in the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is often the first and most crucial decision players need to make when starting their journey in the game. The race you choose not only influences the appearance of your character but also impacts your gameplay to a significant extent.

Each of the ten races in ESO – Altmer, Bosmer, Khajiit, Orsimer, Dunmer, Breton, Redguard, Argonian, Nord, and Imperial – have unique traits, perks, advantages, and disadvantages that cater to specific playstyles, roles, and strategies. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the distinctive characteristics of each race to ensure you select the one that best suits your preferred gaming style.

Whether you intend to play as a stealthy Nightblade, a powerful Sorcerer, a resilient Dragonknight, a versatile Templar, or an adaptable Warden, the right racial choice can enhance your performance in your chosen role and improve your overall ESO experience.

In this guide, we aim to provide a detailed breakdown of each race, including their origins, physical appearances, unique traits and perks, main advantages, and potential disadvantages. This information should help you evaluate which race can best complement your desired class, role, and gameplay approach.

Remember, there isn’t a definitive “best” race in ESO – the perfect fit depends on your personal preference and the type of character you aspire to develop. We also have a useful guide to help you find the best race for each class in ESO. Whether you’re planning to deal heavy damage, heal your allies, or withstand enemy attacks, choosing a race that aligns with your gameplay strategy will surely contribute to your success in the adventurous world of Elder Scrolls Online. So, let’s explore what each race has to offer!

Altmer (High Elves)

Native to Summerset Isles, the Altmer are well-known for their scholarly minds and magical prowess. They are often tall, and golden-skinned with often light-coloured eyes and hair. High-Elf names are one of the more familiar elf-sounding names that are common in RPGs.

Traits and Perks

• Highborn: Increases experience gain with the Destruction Staff skill line and increases experience gained.
• Spell Recharge: Restores Magicka or Stamina, based on whichever is lowest.
• Syrabane’s Boon: Increases Max Magicka.
• Elemental Talent: Increases your Spell Damage.

Advantages

• Excellent choice for Magicka-based classes like Sorcerer.
• Boosts to Magicka and recovery allow for more spellcasting in combat.
• Higher damage output with Magicka-based abilities.

Disadvantages

• Limited physical prowess makes them less efficient in Stamina-based roles or classes.
• Less effective in melee combat.
• Lower physical damage resistance.

Bosmer (Wood Elves)

Hailing from the province of Valenwood, Bosmer are known for their adeptness at archery. Their physical appearance is generally short and slim, with varying skin tones and often green eyes. Bosmer names are a lot darker and more nature focussed when compared to high elves.

Traits and Perks

• Acrobat: Increases experience gain with the Bow skill line and decreases your fall damage taken.
• Y’ffre’s Endurance: Increases Stamina Recovery.
• Resist Affliction: Increases Max Stamina and grants immunity to the poisoned condition.
• Hunter’s Eye: Increases Stealth detection radius and movement speed after using Roll Dodge.

Advantages

• Ideal for the Archer or stealth-based classes like Nightblade.
• Improved Stamina management for sustained combat.
• Increased efficiency with bow and stealth abilities.

Disadvantages

• Less optimal for Mage and Tank roles due to lack of Magicka or Health bonuses.
• Lower damage output with Magicka-based abilities.

Khajiit

From the province of Elsweyr, the Khajiit are known for their agility and stealth. The physical appearance of the Khajiit is very unique. Cat-like humanoid creatures with sharp claws and varying fur patterns. Names for Khajiit are often very Arabic sounding with harsh guttural sounds.

Traits and Perks

• Cutpurse: Increases experience gain with the Medium Armor skill line and increases your chance to successfully pickpocket.
• Nimble: Increases your Health Recovery and Stamina Recovery.
• Robustness: Increases your Max Health and heals you for a portion of your Max Health whenever you drink a potion.
• Feline Ambush: Increases your Critical Hit Damage and Healing done.

Advantages

• Versatile choice, can fill various roles efficiently.
• Great for Thief or Assassin roles due to stealth and critical hit enhancements.
• Excellent recovery rates for Health and Stamina.

Disadvantages

• Their versatility makes them less specialized for specific classes.
• Less effective for roles that heavily depend on Magicka.

Orsimer (Orcs)

From the mountainous regions of Orsinium, Orcs are known for their strength and endurance. As with most fantasy orcs, the physical appearance of the Orsimer or orcs from ESO are large and muscular with green skin, tusks, and a generally rough appearance. Names for Orsimer are often quite harsh sounding.

Traits and Perks

• Craftsman: Increases experience gain with the Heavy Armor skill line and increases your crafting inspiration gained.
• Brawny: Increases your Max Stamina.
• Unflinching: Increases your Healing received and your Max Health.
• Swift Warrior: Increases your weapon damage and reduces the cost of Sprint and makes you sprint faster.

Advantages

• Great for Tank or Stamina DPS roles, like Dragonknight.
• High Health and Stamina pools make them hard to take down in combat.
• Increased movement speed is beneficial in various combat situations.

Disadvantages

• Less effective for Magicka-based roles.
• Lower efficiency in stealth and ranged combat.

Dunmer (Dark Elves)

Indigenous to the harsh, volcanic province of Morrowind, Dunmer are known for their adaptability. As implied by the race name, Dark Elves are dark-skinned and red-eyed, usually with dark hair. Names for Dunmer are often quite dark sounding and malevolent.

Traits and Perks

• Ashlander: Increases the experience gain with the Dual Wield skill line and reduces your damage taken from environmental lava.
• Dynamic: Increases your Max Stamina and Max Magicka.
• Resist Flame: Increases your Flame Resistance and Max Magicka.
• Ruination: Increases your Weapon and Spell Damage.

Advantages

• Their adaptability allows them to function well in many roles but excel as a Magicka Dragonknight due to fire damage bonuses.
• Balanced Magicka and Stamina allow for varied playstyles.

Disadvantages

• Their adaptability means they may not be as specialized for specific roles.
• Lower recovery rates compared to some other races.

Breton

From the province of High Rock, the Bretons are known for their proficiency in magic. Generally shorter than other human races, with varying skin tones and often have angular facial features.

Traits and Perks

• Opportunist: Increases experience gain with the Light Armor skill line and increases your Alliance Points gained.
• Gift of Magnus: Increases your Max Magicka.
• Spell Attunement: Increases your Spell Resistance and Magicka Recovery.
• Magicka Mastery: Reduces the Magicka cost of your abilities.

Advantages

• Excellent choice for Magicka-based roles, especially Magicka-focused Tanks and Healers due to their bonus to Magicka Recovery and cost reduction.
• Increased Spell Resistance helps survive against magical attacks.

Disadvantages

• Not as effective in Stamina-based roles.
• Lower Health and Stamina compared to some other races.

Redguard

The Redguards hail from the province of Hammerfell, known for their martial skill. Dark-skinned and wiry-haired, with strong and athletic bodies.

Traits and Perks

• Wayfarer: Increases experience gain with the One-Handed and Shield skill line and increases the duration of eaten food.
• Martial Training: Reduces the cost of your weapon abilities.
• Conditioning: Increases your Max Stamina.
• Adrenaline Rush: When you deal Direct Damage, you restore a small amount of Stamina.

Advantages

• Ideal for Stamina-based DPS roles and Tanks due to high Stamina pool and efficient ability cost.
• The Adrenaline Rush trait makes for excellent Stamina management in combat.

Disadvantages

• Not as effective in Magicka-based roles.
• Lower Magicka and Health pools compared to some other races.

Argonian

The Argonians are from the swamps of Black Marsh, known for their adaptability and survival instinct. They are Lizard-like creatures, often with fins, scales, and varying colors, very similar to Lizardfolk from D&D. Names for Argonians are very fitting for their physical appearance and reptilian origin.

Traits and Perks

• Amphibian: Increases experience gain with the Restoration Staff skill line and increases your swimming speed.
• Life Mender: Increases your healing done.
• Argonian Resistance: Increases your Max Health and grants immunity to the diseased status effect.
• Resourceful: Increases your Max Magicka and whenever you drink a potion, you restore Health, Magicka, and Stamina.

Advantages

• Excellent choice for Healer roles due to increased healing output.
• Great survivability and resource management through their racial traits.
• Versatile in filling different roles due to balanced attributes.

Disadvantages

• Jack-of-all-trades nature can be less specialized in certain roles.
• Lower damage output compared to some other races.

Nord

The hardy Nords are from the province of Skyrim, known for their resilience and warrior spirit. Generally taller than other races, with light skin and hair. The Scandinavian lifestyle they have lends some cultural elements to the Nords. Names for Nords are often quite nordic sounding and reflect the colder land they inhabit.

Traits and Perks

• Reveler: Increases experience gain with the Two-Handed skill line and increases the duration of any consumed drink.
• Stalwart: Increases your Max Stamina and when you take damage, you gain a small amount of Ultimate.
• Resist Frost: Increases your Max Health and Cold Resistance.
• Rugged: Increases your Damage Resistance.

Advantages

• Excellent choice for Tank roles due to increased health, damage resistance, and Cold Resistance.
• Enhanced Ultimate gain helps in using powerful abilities more frequently.

Disadvantages

• Not as effective for Magicka-based roles.
• Lower Magicka pool and less efficient in ranged combat.

Imperial

Imperials are from the cosmopolitan province of Cyrodiil, known for their discipline and training. Similar to other human races, they are often characterized by a range of skin tones.

Traits and Perks

• Diplomat: Increases experience gain with the One-Handed and Shield skill line and increases your gold gained.
• Tough: Increases your Max Health.
• Imperial Mettle: Increases your Max Stamina.
• Red Diamond: When you deal Direct Damage, you heal for a percentage of the damage done and restore a small amount of Stamina.

Advantages

• Versatile and can function well in many roles, but particularly effective in Tank roles due to high Health and Stamina pools.
• Healing and Stamina recovery mechanism promotes longevity in combat.

Disadvantages

• Not as specialized in Magicka-based roles.
• Lower Magicka pool compared to some Magicka-dedicated races.