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RACES
There are ten playable races in ESO which are divided into three Alliances. Nine of those races are bound to certain Alliances, the tenth is the Imperial race which is possible to play on any Alliance.
There is a way to play any race on any alliance - Explorer Pack. This is a pre-order bonus that makes it possible for one to play any race on any alliance. Without it you are bound to a certain alliance by choosing one race.
Each race has its own set of skills that makes them perfect for playing a certain class. But this is not written in stone because you are very much able to mix and use one race for a class of your liking.
Here you will see each race and their set of skills.
Ebonheart Pact
Argonian - They are a reptilian race who hail from Black Marsh. They are one of the few native races still inhabiting Tamriel. They are known for high intelligence, breathing under water indefinitely and having natural resistances to disease.
Base Racial Skills:
Restoration Expertise - Increases experience gain with the Restoration Skill line by 15%.
Amphibious - Increases swimming speed by 50% and the effectiveness of potions by 5%.
Argonian Resistance - Increases maximum Health by 1% and Poison and Disease resistance by 7.
Quick to Mend - Increases healing received by 2%.
Suggested Classes: Templar or Nightblade
Strength: Potion Consumption
Dunmer - They are most commonly known as Dark Elves, occupy the North Eastern province of Morrowind.
Base Racial Skills:
Ambidexterity - Increases experience gain with the Dual Wield skill line by 15%.
Dynamic - Increases max Magicka and Stamina by 2%.
Flame Talent - Increases Spell Power with fire effects by 1.
Suggested Classes: Sorcerer or Dragonknight
Strength: Flame Damage
Nord - Nords are a tall, fair-haired people who settled in the cold, mountainous province of Skyrim after leaving their homeland on another continent. They are tough and hardy with a natural resistance to frost. They shy away from the arcane arts, preferring to be great heavy warriors. The nords are the physically strongest race, towering above all but the altmer.
Base Racial Skills:
Two Handed Expertise - Increases the experience gain with the Two-Handed Weapon skill line by 15%.
Robust - Increases Health regeneration while in combat by 5%.
Resist Frost - Increases Cold Resistance by 10. Increases maximum health by 1%.
Rugged - Increases Armor by 2.
Suggested Classes: Templar or Dragonknight
Strength: Tanking
Daggerfall Covenant
Breton - They are a people from the mountainous terrain of High Rock and are descended from Altmer and Nedic (early human) stock. As a result, they have natural magic abilities combined with constitutions a bit stronger than the Altmer. Their quick grasp of magic makes them good spellcasters, healers and magic-based characters.
Base Racial Skills:
Light Armor Affinity - Increases experience gain with Light Armor by 15%. This skill is unlocked by default.
Gift of Magnus - Increases maximum Magicka by 4%.
Spell Resistance - Increases spell resistance by 2.
Magicka Mastery - Reduces the Magicka cost of spells by 1%.
Suggested Classes: Sorcerer or Templar
Strength: Magicka Builds
Orc - Also known as Corrupted Elves or Pariah Folk, are a native race to Tamriel. Historically nomads, they have formed a city called Orsinium in the Wrothgarian Mountain/Dragontail Mountain area of High Rock where equality is valued, making them the equivalent to sophisticated barbarians! Regarded as a tough and brutal race, they make some of the best and hardiest armored warriors. They make perfect tanks. The orcs are tall and powerful. Only nords are larger.
Base Racial Skills:
Heavy Armor Expertise - Increases experience gain with Heavy Armor Skill line by 15%.
Brawny - Increases max Health and Stamina by 2%.
Robust - Increases Health regeneration while in combat by 5%.
Swift - Reduces Sprint cost by 4% and increases Sprint speed by 3%.
Suggested Classes: Templar or Dragonknight
Strength: Tanking
Redguard - Theyare the dark-skinned people who came from an island continent to the west of Tamriel and populated the region known as Hammerfell. Redguards are a physically powerful race in Tamriel. That, combined with their knowledge of all weapon and armor types, makes many Redguards great warriors or rogue (thief) characters.
Shield Affinity - Increases experience gain with One-Handed and Shield skill line by 15%.
Vigor - Increases Stamina recovery while in combat by 3%.
Conditioning - Increases max Stamina by 4%.
Adrenaline Rush - Restores 1 Stamina to player when damaging an enemy with a Melee attack. This can happen no more than once every 3 seconds.
Suggested Classes: Dragonknight or Nightblade
Strength: Stamina Builds
Almderi Dominion
Altmer - More commonly known as High Elves, inhabit Summerset Isle. They were the first race to bring language, arts, and culture to the continent of Tamriel, which might explain their arrogant and proud natures. They are the most magically proficient race in Tamriel.
Base Racial Skills:
Destruction Talent - Increases experience gain with the Destruction Staff skill line by 15%.
Spellcharge - Increases Magicka recovery while in combat by 3%.
Gift of Magnus - Increases max Magicka by 4%.
Elemental Talent - Increases damage with Cold, Fire or Shock effects by 2%.
Suggested Classes: Sorcerer or Templar
Strength: Magicka Builds
Bosmer - More known as Wood Elves, are distant cousins of the Altmer. They settled in Valenwood after deciding that they wanted a less formal, hierarchical form of society. They are very much in tune with the forests they live in and are stealthy and quick. Their appearance even resembles the province of Valenwood where they live, and they have an air of youthfulness not seen in the other elven races. They are known for being the best archers on the continent.
Base Racial Skills:
Archery Expertise - Increases experience gain with the Bow Skill line by 15%.
Vigor - Increases Stamina recovery while in combat by 3%.
Resist Affliction - Increases poison and disease resistance by 7. Increases maximum Stamina by 1%.
Stealthy - Improves Stealth radius by 1 meter. Increases damage done while in Stealth mode by 3%.
Suggested Classes: Nightblade or Dragonknight
Strength: Stamina Builds and Stealth
Khajiit - Hailing from the province of Elsweyr, the Khajiit are a catlike race native to Tamriel. They are known for intelligence, quickness, and agility. They make excellent thieves due to their natural stealthiness but are also known to be outstanding warriors.
Base Racial Skills:
Medium Armor Expertise - Increases experience gain with the Medium Armor Skill line by 15%.
Robust - Increases Health regeneration while in combat by 5%.
Stealthy - Improves Stealth radius by 1 meter. Increases damage done while Stealthed by 3%.
Carnage - Increases Critical rating for melee attacks by 1% and damage done by successful Critical Hits by 5%.
Suggested Classes: Nightblade or Dragonknight
Strength: Stamina Builds and Stealth
Imperial
Imperial - Only obtainable through the Imperial Edition DLC which can be purchased in the Crown Store for 2100 Crowns.
Base Racial Skills:
Shield Affinity - Increases experience gain with the One-Handed and Shield Line by 15%.
Tough - Increases Max Health by 4%.
Conditioning - Increases Max Stamina by 4%.
Red Diamond - Melee attacks have a 10% chance to restore Health.
Suggested Classes: Dragonknight or Templar
Strength: Tanking
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