Argonian
Faction: The Ebonheart Pact
Recommended Focus: Magicka
With origins that trace directly to the Hist, Argonians are completely unrelated to the races of men. This accounts not only for their reptilian appearance, but also for their deep connection with the unforgiving wilds of Black Marsh. They’re known to be a resilient people—and uniquely skilled Healers—but the Argonians are considered something of an enigma by the other races of Tamriel.
Racial Passives
Amphibian (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Restoration Staff skill line by 15%. Increases your swimming speed by 50%.
Resourceful (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Magicka by 1%/2%/3%. Whenever you drink a potion, you restore 1524/3049/4620 Health, Magicka, and Stamina.
Argonian Resistance (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Health by 3%/6%/9% and Poison and Disease Resistance by 495/990/1485.
Quick to Mend (Rank I/II/III): Increases your healing done and healing received by 1%/3%/5%.
Class/Build Recommendations
As a whole, Argonian Passives support Magicka builds. The Quick to Mend Passive makes this race a natural choice for a designated Healer, but it also serves to make the Argonian an excellent Tank. In any case, Argonians work particularly well as Templars, Wardens, and siphoning-focused Nightblades.
Breton
Faction: The Daggerfall Covenant
Recommended Focus: Magicka
Due in part to their blood ties with the Altmer, Bretons have a natural affinity for the arcane. They’re gifted spellcasters by any measure, but they’re easily the Daggerfall Covenant’s most talented Magicka users. Bretons are considered intelligent and resourceful, but they also have a reputation as an emotional and quarrelsome people.
Racial Passives
Opportunist (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Light Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your Alliance Points gained by 1%.
Gift of Magnus (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Magicka by 4%/7%/10%.
Spell Resistance (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Spell Resistance by 1320/2640/3960.
Magicka Mastery (Rank I/II/III): Reduces the Magicka cost of your abilities by 1%/2%/3%.
Class/Build Recommendations
The Gift of Magnus makes this race a fine choice for any Magicka build, but the mix of power, efficiency, and survivability is what sets the Breton apart from other Magicka-proficient races. Magicka DPS is always an option, but a large Magicka pool combined with reduced Magicka use makes the Breton a reliable Healer, and the Spell Resistance Passive is a boon for Magicka Tanks or PvP builds.
Dark Elf
Faction: The Ebonheart Pact
Recommended Focus: Magicka
Dark Elves, or “Dunmer,” are renowned for their intelligence and physical prowess—qualities that have allowed them to produce some of Tamriel’s most formidable warriors and spellcasters. They also have a well-deserved reputation as a grim and prideful race. Dark Elves are slow to trust and quick to judge, but their prowess in battle is undeniable.
Racial Passives
Ashlander (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Dual Wield skill line by 15%. Reduces your damage taken from environmental lava by 50%.
Dynamic (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Magicka and Maximum Stamina by 2%/4%/6%.
Resist Flame (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Magicka by 1%/2%/3% and Flame Resistance by 693/1386/2080.
Destructive Ancestry (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Flame Damage by 3%/5%/7%. Increases your Frost and Shock Damage by 0%/1%/2%.
Class/Build Recommendations
The Dark Elf is a solid choice for any Magicka build—and the boost to Maximum Stamina presents some intriguing options—but the bonus to Flame Damage makes this race a top pick for Dragonknight casters. It’s also worth noting that the available Flame Resistance helps offset Vampirism’s biggest drawback, making the Dark Elf a particularly good option for builds that include the Vampire skill line.
high Elf
Faction: The Aldmeri Dominion
Recommended Focus: Magicka
The High Elves, or “Altmer,” are the tall, slender, gold-skinned people of the Summerset Isles. Sophisticated and intelligent, High Elves are widely regarded as the most magically gifted race in all of Tamriel. They also see themselves as Tamriel’s ruling race—an assertion that doesn’t always sit well with neighboring provinces.
Racial Passives
Highborn (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Destruction Staff skill line by 15%. Increases your Experience gained by 1%.
Spellcharge (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Magicka Recovery by 3%/6%/9%.
Gift of Magnus (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Magicka by 4%/7%/10%.
Elemental Talent (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Flame, Frost, and Shock Damage by 2%/3%/4%.
Class/Build Recommendations
The High Elf’s combination of Maximum Magicka and Magicka Recovery makes this race one of the best options for any Magicka build. Dark Elves have the edge in Flame Damage, but no race can match the High Elf’s potential for Frost Damage and Shock Damage. This advantage makes the High Elf a particularly good choice for Sorcerers and Wardens focusing on Magicka DPS.
Imperial
Faction: None
Recommended Focus: Stamina
The natives of Cyrodiil are known to be well-educated and very diplomatic. They may not be as physically imposing as Nords or Orcs, but a focus on discipline and training has allowed the Imperials to produce some of Tamriel’s finest soldiers—many of whom now find themselves outcasts in their home province. These days, rogue Imperials tend to align themselves with any faction that might drive Molag Bal’s followers from the Ruby Throne.
Racial Passives
Diplomat (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the One-Hand and Shield skill line by 15%. Increases your gold gained by 1%.
Tough (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Health by 4%/8%/12%.
Conditioning (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Stamina by 4%/7%/10%.
Red Diamond (Rank I/II/III): Your melee attacks have a 10% chance to restore 2%/4%/6% of your Maximum Health.
Class/Build Recommendations
With the largest available bonuses to Maximum Health and Maximum Stamina, the Imperial is a natural choice for a Stamina Tank—especially when one considers the potential healing effects of the Red Diamond Passive. Of course, this race isn’t limited to a single role; the combination of Health and Stamina makes the Imperial an excellent choice for any Stamina-heavy build.
Khajiit
Faction: The Aldmeri Dominion
Recommended Focus: Stamina
Hailing from the deserts of Elsweyr, the Khajiit are generally counted among Tamriel’s original inhabitants. This feline race is known for cleverness, agility, and a natural talent for stealth. These traits make the Khajiit excellent combatants, but they’ve also earned the cat-folk an unsavory reputation as a race of swindlers and thieves.
Racial Passives
- Cutpurse (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Medium Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your chance to successfully pickpocket by 5%.
- Nimble (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Health Recovery by 6%/13%/20% and Stamina Recovery by 3%/6%/10%.
- Stealthy (Rank I/II/III): Reduces your detection radius in stealth by 1/2/3 meters. Increases your damage done while in stealth by 3%/6%/10%.
- Carnage (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Weapon Critical by 2%/5%/8%.
Class/Build Recommendations
Khakiit Passives offer an excellent mix of damage and sustainability, and players prioritizing Stamina DPS would be hard-pressed to find a more suitable race for any class. While other Stamina-focused races have their advantages, the Khajiit’s bonus to Weapon Critical makes it the clear winner for burst damage.
Nord
Faction: The Ebonheart Pact
Recommended Focus: Stamina
As a people, Nords are hardy, brave, and quick to violence, and Nord culture values strength and simplicity over cleverness or diplomacy. Outsiders typically see them as a dull, brutish, and uncivilized people—an image that most Nords are proud to embrace.
Racial Passives
- Reveler (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Two-Handed skill line by 15%. Increases the duration of any consumed drink by 15 minutes.
- Stalwart (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Stamina by 2%/4%/6% and Health Recovery by 6%/13%/20%.
- Resist Frost (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Health by 3%/6%/9% and Frost Resistance by 639/1386/2080.
- Rugged (Rank I/II/III): Reduces your damage taken by 2%/4%/6%.
Class/Build Recommendations
The Nords’ celebrated hardiness comes from its combination of Maximum Health, Health Recovery, and straightforward damage mitigation. These qualities make the Nord one of the best possible options for a designated Tank. The Nord’s survivability is also great for PvP builds—especially now that a new frost-wielding class has joined the fray.
Orc
Faction: The Daggerfall Covenant
Recommended Focus: Stamina
Long considered savages, the Orcs, or “Orsimer,” have slowly gained acceptance among neighboring races. Powerfully built and fearless in battle, these hardy mountain dwellers live under a simple code by which only the strong survive—a pragmatic creed that has helped the Orcs endure countless hardships.
Racial Passives
- Craftsman (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the Heavy Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your crafting Inspiration gained by 10%.
- Brawny (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Health and Maximum Stamina by 2%/4%/6%.
- Unflinching (Rank I/II/III): Increases your healing received by 1%/3%/5% and Health Recovery by 6%/13%/20%.
- Swift Warrior (Rank I/II/III): Increases your damage done with melee attacks by 2%/3%/4%. Reduces the cost of Sprint by 4%/8%/12% and increases the movement speed bonus of Sprint by 3%/6%/10%.
Class/Build Recommendations
With an impressive mix of power and durability, the Orc is a strong option for virtually any Stamina build. Bonuses to Maximum Health, Health Recovery, and healing received make them well-suited to Tanking roles, but boosts in Maximum Stamina and melee damage make the Orc a solid option for DPS builds as well. However, this race’s Sprint-related bonuses arguably provide the largest benefit—this outstanding mobility makes a well-built Orc shine in PvP.
Redguard
Faction: The Daggerfall Covenant
Recommended Focus: Stamina
With a culture built on preserving ancient traditions, the Redguards of Hammerfell prize honor and dignity above all else. Redguards are often suspicious of the arcane, but their natural athleticism and rigid training have made them a race of tireless warriors.
Racial Passives
- Wayfarer (Default Passive): Increases your Experience gain with the One-Hand and Shield skill line by 15%. Increases the duration of any eaten food by 15 minutes.
- Exhilaration (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Stamina Recovery by 3%/6%/9%.
- Conditioning (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Stamina by 4%/7%/10%.
- Adrenaline Rush (Rank I/II/III): Your melee attacks restore 261/522/792 Stamina. This effect can occur once every five seconds.
Class/Build Recommendations
When it comes to Stamina use, few races can match the Redguards’ sustainability. The Adrenaline Passive means they’re best suited to melee combat, but the Conditioning Passive means the Redguard works well in any Stamina-focused build.
Wood Elf
Faction: The Aldmeri Dominion
Recommended Focus: Stamina
Wood Elves, or “Bosmer,” are quick and nimble combatants. On the field of battle, Wood Elves often serve as scouts and archers; in the criminal world, they’re renowned thieves and assassins. Because the typical Wood Elf is rather small, they tend to favor wit and agility over brute force.
Racial Passives
- Acrobat (Default Passive): Increases XP gained with the Bow skill line by 15% and reduces fall damage by 10%.
- Y’ffre’s Endurance (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Stamina Recovery by 7%/14%/21%.
- Resist Affliction (Rank I/II/III): Increases your Maximum Stamina by 2%/4%/6% and Poison and Disease Resistance by 495/990/1485.
- Stealthy (Rank I/II/III): Reduces your detection radius in stealth by 1/2/3 meters. Increases your damage done while in stealth by 3%/6%/10%.
Class/Build Recommendations
Wood Elves feature the highest possible Stamina Recovery, making them a great choice for sustained Stamina DPS, or for builds that rely on mobility for survival. Players looking to invest in the Werewolf skill line would also do well to consider the Wood Elf—the focus on Stamina supports the Werewolf’s greatest strength, while the Wood Elf’s natural Poison Resistance helps offset Lycanthropy’s primary drawback.