Choosing Your Destiny: The Best Race to Start With in Skyrim

So, you’re ready to dive headfirst into the frozen, dragon-infested lands of Skyrim? Excellent choice! But before you even set foot in Helgen, you face a crucial decision: What race will your Dragonborn be? The truth is, there’s no single “best” race for everyone. It all boils down to your preferred playstyle and what you want to get out of your adventure. However, for beginner players, some races offer advantages that can make the initial hours significantly smoother.

For a new player, the Imperial race often provides the most forgiving start. Their passive ability, which grants extra gold from loot, directly addresses one of the biggest early game challenges: building up a solid financial foundation. More gold means better gear, more training, and ultimately, a less frustrating learning curve. Let’s delve deeper into why this seemingly simple bonus makes the Imperial a top contender for newcomers, and explore the strengths and weaknesses of other popular choices.

Understanding Skyrim’s Races: A Quick Overview

Before we dive into specific recommendations, let’s quickly recap the races of Skyrim and their key features:

• High Elf (Altmer): Masters of magic, boasting a +50 Magicka bonus and the Highborn ability (increased Magicka regeneration).
• Breton: Naturally resistant to magic with a 25% Magic Resistance passive and the Dragonskin ability (absorb magicka from spells).
• Dark Elf (Dunmer): Resilient and versatile, with 50% Fire Resistance and the Ancestor’s Wrath ability (fire damage aura).
• Nord: Hardy warriors, resistant to cold with 50% Frost Resistance and the Battle Cry ability (fear effect).
• Redguard: Skilled warriors with a focus on stamina, featuring 50% Poison Resistance and the Adrenaline Rush ability (increased stamina regeneration).
• Orc: Brutal and powerful, with the Berserker ability (double damage and defense).
• Imperial: Diplomats and merchants, granting extra gold and the Voice of the Emperor ability (pacify humanoids).
• Khajiit: Agile and stealthy, with Night Eye ability for improved vision in the dark and claws for unarmed combat.
• Argonian: Amphibious and resistant to disease, with 75% Disease Resistance, the ability to breathe underwater, and the Histskin ability (rapid health regeneration).

Why Imperial is a Great Starting Race

The Imperial race’s defining feature, that extra gold from loot, is deceptively powerful. Early on, when you’re scrounging for every Septim, that extra income can be the difference between buying a crucial healing potion, upgrading your weapon, or finally affording that basic training skill. It allows you to experiment more freely without constantly worrying about being broke. Think of it as a safety net, allowing you to make mistakes and learn the game’s economy without severe consequences.

While the Voice of the Emperor ability (pacify humanoids) has some use, it is more situational and of less importance than the increased gold for novice players.

Other Viable Options for Beginners

While Imperial is a strong contender, other races can also be suitable for beginners, depending on your preferred playstyle:

• Nord: If you envision yourself as a classic warrior, wading into battle with a sword and shield, the Nord’s Frost Resistance offers a significant advantage in Skyrim’s harsh climate. Their Battle Cry can also buy you some breathing room in tough early encounters.
• Orc: For players who enjoy a more aggressive, brute-force approach, the Orc’s Berserker ability (double damage and defense) is incredibly powerful. While it has a limited duration, it can easily turn the tide of difficult battles, allowing you to survive encounters that might otherwise be overwhelming. Orc’s are the best choice for Skyrim Survival Mode due to its built-in resistance to cold, hunger, and fatigue.
• Breton: If you want to play a magic user and are worried about survivability, the Breton’s 25% Magic Resistance will provide significant protection. This is especially helpful against magic-wielding enemies, which can be quite challenging early in the game.

Races to Approach with Caution (as a Beginner)

While every race is perfectly viable in Skyrim, some require a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics to fully utilize their potential. As a beginner, you might find the following races more challenging:

• High Elf (Altmer): While the +50 Magicka is appealing for aspiring mages, High Elves are physically weaker than other races. Without proper planning and skill development, you might find yourself easily overwhelmed in melee combat.
• Khajiit: The Night Eye ability is useful, but the Khajiit’s reliance on unarmed combat early on can be difficult. While their claws deal decent damage, you’ll eventually want to invest in weapons and armor, which diminishes the Khajiit’s early advantage.
• Argonian: While the Disease Resistance and waterbreathing are useful in specific situations, they aren’t as universally beneficial as the abilities offered by other races. The Argonian’s Histskin ability, while powerful, requires a good understanding of combat timing to use effectively.
• Dark Elf (Dunmer): While the Ancestor’s Wrath ability (fire damage aura) is powerful, the focus on fire can be less useful compared to other races, as some of Skyrim’s most common early enemies (like wolves and bandits) aren’t particularly vulnerable to fire.

The Importance of Playstyle

Ultimately, the “best” race is the one that complements your playstyle. Do you envision yourself as a stealthy assassin, a powerful mage, a noble warrior, or something in between? Consider the following:

• Warrior: Nords, Orcs, and Redguards excel in melee combat.
• Mage: High Elves and Bretons are naturally suited for magical pursuits.
• Thief/Assassin: Khajiit and Argonians offer unique advantages for stealth-based gameplay.
• Jack-of-All-Trades: Imperials and Dark Elves are versatile enough to adapt to various playstyles.

Beyond Race: Skills and Perks

Remember that your race is just one piece of the puzzle. Skyrim’s skill system allows you to develop your character in countless ways, regardless of your racial choice. Invest in the skills that align with your desired playstyle and unlock perks that enhance your abilities. A well-built character can overcome any racial disadvantage.

Final Thoughts

Choosing your race in Skyrim is a significant decision, but it’s not a life sentence. You can always start a new game and try a different race if you’re not satisfied. The most important thing is to have fun and explore the vast and immersive world that Skyrim has to offer. Don’t get too hung up on min-maxing; instead, focus on creating a character that you enjoy playing and a story that you find compelling. The Games Learning Society provides valuable insights into game design and learning, which can help you appreciate the depth and complexity of Skyrim. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more about the educational aspects of gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What race do most people play in Skyrim?

Nords are very popular, likely due to their connection to the game’s lore and their resistance to the cold. The fact that Nords make up a majority of the population of Skyrim contributes to their popularity.

2. Does my race affect gameplay significantly?

Yes, but not overwhelmingly. Races have starting skill bonuses, unique abilities, and dialogue interactions. However, you can level up any skill regardless of your race.

3. Is it okay to choose a race based on aesthetics?

Absolutely! The most important thing is to enjoy your character. If you like the way a particular race looks, go for it!

4. Can I become a vampire or werewolf regardless of my race?

Yes, you can contract vampirism or lycanthropy regardless of your race. Becoming a vampire as a High Elf will give Nightwalker’s Footsteps which increases stealth by 25 percent. Magic Perks: High Elves have +10 to Illusion spells and +5 to Restoration, Conjuration, Alteration, Enchanting, and Destruction spells.

5. Which race is best for a pure mage build?

High Elves (Altmer) are typically considered the best for pure mage builds due to their +50 Magicka bonus and Highborn ability (increased Magicka regeneration).

6. Which race is best for a warrior build?

Orcs (Orsimer) are an excellent choice for warriors due to their Berserker ability (double damage and defense). Nords and Redguards are also good options.

7. Is there a “weakest” race in Skyrim?

Not really. Every race is viable, but some might require more optimization than others. Dunmer have one of the worst racials in the game.

8. Can I join any faction regardless of my race?

Yes, you can join any faction, including the Stormcloaks, regardless of your race. However, you might encounter some prejudice from certain NPCs.

9. Does my character’s size affect gameplay?

The taller the race the faster they move. An Altmer for example will move 10% faster than an Imperial, but the actual difference is not THAT noticeable. Weight only has aesthetic effects.

10. What skills should I focus on early in the game?

It depends on your playstyle. Focus on skills that align with your chosen class (warrior, mage, thief, etc.). Max your Enchanting, Alchemy and Smithing skills before you do anything else

11. Who should I side with in the Civil War?

It’s a matter of personal preference. Pick Imperial if you want to play a character who is originally from a place aside from Skyrim, as it doesn’t make sense to fight under a banner that ultimately won’t accept you. Pick Stormcloak if you believe the Empire has no right to say what Skyrim denizens can and can’t do, especially if you are a Nord.

12. Does race affect dialogue options?

Yes, in some instances. Certain NPCs might react differently to you based on your race.

13. What is the least popular race in Elder Scrolls?

For PvE and PvP redgaurds are the least popular.

14. Can a high elf join the Stormcloaks?

Contrary to myth, the Stormcloaks will accept anyone into their ranks so long as they pass the initial test. You’ll hear some bitching about elves from some vaguely Stormcloak related NPCs, but nothing actually stops you from joining.

15. Who should I marry in Skyrim?

Jenassa Doesn’t Judge In Skyrim Marriage. When the player is out and about doing less-than-savory things, they won’t have to worry about getting reprimanded by their partner. This makes the fiercely loyal Jenassa one of the best people to marry in Skyrim.