What race am I in Skyrim? This question is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make when creating your character in the immersive world of Skyrim. Your choice of race will impact your character’s attributes, skills, abilities, and even their role-playing experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different races available in Skyrim and help you choose the one that’s right for you.
From the agile Khajiit to the powerful Orcs, each race in Skyrim has its own unique history, culture, and abilities. Whether you prefer to play as a stealthy thief, a powerful warrior, or a wise mage, there’s a race that will fit your playstyle.
So, let’s dive into the world of Skyrim and discover what race you are.
Races in Skyrim
The world of Skyrim is home to a diverse array of races, each with its own unique history, culture, and abilities. Choosing the right race for your character can have a significant impact on your gameplay experience, so it’s important to understand the differences between them.
There are ten playable races in Skyrim: Altmer, Argonian, Bosmer, Breton, Dunmer, Imperial, Khajiit, Nord, Orc, and Redguard. Each race has its own set of attributes, skills, and abilities, which are summarized in the table below.
| Race | Attributes | Skills | Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altmer | +10 Magicka,
|
+5 Illusion, +5 Alteration, +5 Conjuration | Highborn: +50% bonus to Magicka regeneration |
| Argonian | +10 Health,
|
+5 Sneak, +5 Lockpicking, +5 Pickpocket | Histskin: +50% resistance to poison and disease |
| Bosmer | +10 Stamina,
|
+5 Archery, +5 Sneak, +5 Lockpicking | Command Animal: Can summon animals to fight for you |
| Breton | +10 Magicka,
|
+5 Conjuration, +5 Illusion, +5 Alteration | Dragonskin: +50% resistance to magic |
| Dunmer | +10 Magicka,
|
+5 Destruction, +5 Alteration, +5 Illusion | Ancestor’s Wrath: +50% bonus to fire damage |
| Imperial | +10 Health,
|
+5 Speech, +5 One-Handed, +5 Restoration | Voice of the Emperor: +50% bonus to gold found |
| Khajiit | +10 Stamina,
|
+5 Sneak, +5 Lockpicking, +5 Speech | Night Eye: Can see in the dark |
| Nord | +10 Health,
|
+5 Two-Handed, +5 Block, +5 Speech | Battle Cry: +50% bonus to melee damage |
| Orc | +10 Health,
|
+5 Two-Handed, +5 Smithing, +5 Enchanting | Berserker Rage: +50% bonus to melee damage |
| Redguard | +10 Stamina,
|
+5 One-Handed, +5 Archery, +5 Athletics | Adrenaline Rush: +50% bonus to stamina regeneration |
In addition to their attributes, skills, and abilities, each race also has its own unique lore and history. For example, the Altmer are a race of elves who are known for their arrogance and their mastery of magic. The Argonians are a race of reptilian humanoids who are native to the swamps of Black Marsh.
The Bosmer are a race of wood elves who are known for their archery skills and their connection to nature.
Choosing a Race
When choosing a race for your character, there are a few factors to consider. First, think about your playstyle. If you prefer to play as a mage, then you might want to choose a race that has bonuses to Magicka and Magicka regeneration.
If you prefer to play as a warrior, then you might want to choose a race that has bonuses to Health and Stamina. You should also consider your character’s backstory. What is their race? Where are they from? What are their goals?
Choosing a race that fits your character’s backstory can help to make your role-playing experience more immersive.
Here are some examples of how different races can impact the gameplay experience:
- Altmer are well-suited for mages because they have bonuses to Magicka and Magicka regeneration.
- Argonians are well-suited for stealth characters because they have bonuses to Sneak and Lockpicking.
- Bosmer are well-suited for archers because they have bonuses to Archery and Sneak.
- Bretons are well-suited for conjurers because they have bonuses to Conjuration and Illusion.
- Dunmer are well-suited for destruction mages because they have bonuses to Destruction and Alteration.
- Imperials are well-suited for merchants because they have bonuses to Speech and Gold Found.
- Khajiit are well-suited for thieves because they have bonuses to Sneak and Lockpicking.
- Nords are well-suited for warriors because they have bonuses to Health and Two-Handed.
- Orcs are well-suited for berserkers because they have bonuses to Two-Handed and Smithing.
- Redguards are well-suited for adventurers because they have bonuses to Stamina and Athletics.
Racial Abilities and Perks: What Race Am I In Skyrim
Each race in Skyrim has its own unique abilities and perks. These abilities and perks can be used to enhance your character’s abilities and make them more effective in combat and other situations.
| Race | Abilities | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Altmer | Highborn: +50% bonus to Magicka regeneration | Altmer Dominion: +10% bonus to Magicka |
| Argonian | Histskin: +50% resistance to poison and disease | Argonian Blood: +10% bonus to Health |
| Bosmer | Command Animal: Can summon animals to fight for you | Green Pact: +10% bonus to Stamina |
| Breton | Dragonskin: +50% resistance to magic | Mageblood: +10% bonus to Magicka |
| Dunmer | Ancestor’s Wrath: +50% bonus to fire damage | Dunmer Respite: +10% bonus to Magicka |
| Imperial | Voice of the Emperor: +50% bonus to gold found | Imperial Luck: +10% bonus to Stamina |
| Khajiit | Night Eye: Can see in the dark | Khajiit Claws: +10% bonus to unarmed damage |
| Nord | Battle Cry: +50% bonus to melee damage | Nord Frost Resistance: +10% bonus to Health |
| Orc | Berserker Rage: +50% bonus to melee damage | Orc Blood: +10% bonus to Health |
| Redguard | Adrenaline Rush: +50% bonus to stamina regeneration | Redguard Adrenaline: +10% bonus to Stamina |
These abilities and perks can be used to create a variety of different character builds. For example, an Altmer mage could use their Highborn ability to regenerate Magicka quickly, while a Dunmer destruction mage could use their Ancestor’s Wrath ability to deal more fire damage.
Role-Playing and Racial Identity
The race you choose for your character can also have a significant impact on your role-playing experience. For example, if you choose to play as a Dunmer, you might want to role-play your character as an outcast from Morrowind who is trying to find a new home in Skyrim.
Or, if you choose to play as an Argonian, you might want to role-play your character as a refugee from Black Marsh who is trying to escape the persecution of the Dunmer.
Your character’s race can also influence how other characters interact with you. For example, if you choose to play as a Khajiit, you might find that some NPCs are prejudiced against you. Or, if you choose to play as a Nord, you might find that some NPCs are more friendly and welcoming.
FAQ Section
What are the different races in Skyrim?
There are 10 playable races in Skyrim: Argonians, Bretons, Dark Elves, High Elves, Imperials, Khajiit, Nords, Orcs, Redguards, and Wood Elves.
How do I choose the right race for my character?
Consider your playstyle and the type of character you want to create. Each race has its own unique abilities and bonuses that can enhance certain playstyles.
Can I change my race after creating my character?
No, once you create your character, their race cannot be changed.
What are some popular mods that add new races to Skyrim?
Some popular mods that add new races to Skyrim include: Apachii Divine Elegance Store, The Forgotten City, and Interesting NPCs.