The Most Fun Race to Play in Skyrim, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the race you think is the most fun!

Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:27

Choosing the right race in Skyrim can profoundly impact your gameplay experience, shaping everything from combat style to interactions with the world's inhabitants. Players often revisit the game, trying different races to fully explore the nuances each one brings to the storytelling and challenges. Ranking these races based on entertainment value can significantly benefit newcomers and veterans alike, guiding their next epic adventure in the land of Tamriel. By voting for the 'most fun' race, you contribute to a community-driven guide that helps others make informed decisions. Whether you prefer the stealth of shadows or the boldness of brute force, your input is invaluable. This dynamic list reflects the collective experience of the Skyrim community, evolving with each new vote to provide the most current insights into the game's diverse playable races.

What Is the Most Fun Race to Play in Skyrim?

1

60
votes
Khajiit

Khajiit are agile and skilled in combat, making them great for a stealthy playthrough. Plus, their cat-like appearance is just plain cool.
The Khajiit are a feline race known for their agility, stealth, and keen senses. They have a cat-like appearance with fur covering their bodies, and their eyes have vertical pupils. Khajiit are skilled in various arts such as thievery, archery, and hand-to-hand combat. They have a unique ability called 'Night Eye' which allows them to see in the dark.

Appearance: Cat-like with fur and vertical pupils

Agility: High level of dexterity and mobility

Stealth: Proficient in sneaking and silent movement

Senses: Enhanced hearing and detection abilities

Night Eye: Ability to see in the dark
2

36
votes
Nord

Nords are the quintessential Skyrim race, known for their prowess in combat and resistance to cold weather. Playing as a Nord allows for a classic hero's journey through the game's main story.
Nords are a tough and hardy race in the world of Skyrim. They are descendants of the ancient Atmorans and are known for their prowess in battle and their resistance to cold.

Warrior Blood: Nords have a 50% resistance to frost damage and are proficient with one-handed weapons, two-handed weapons, block, and smithing.

Battle Cry: Once a day, Nords can unleash a mighty shout to terrify nearby enemies for 30 seconds.

Frost Resistance: Nords have a natural resistance to cold, making them more resilient in icy environments.

Skills Bonus: Nords start with a boost to their two-handed, one-handed, block, light armor, smithing, and speech skills.

Skyrim's History Buffs: Nords have an additional bonus for the speech skill, enabling them to quickly gain favor with other NPCs.
3

13
votes
Orc

Orcs are tough and resilient, making them great for a tank-style playthrough. Plus, their lore and culture within the game is fascinating to explore.
Orcs, also known as Orsimer, are a fierce and tenacious race in Skyrim. They are renowned for their strength, stamina, and relentless combat skills. With a rich and unique culture, Orcs are known for their craftsmanship in blacksmithing and their expertise in heavy armor. They can be found throughout Skyrim, but their stronghold strongholds in the province serve as their primary settlements.

Race Name: Orc

Height: 6.5 - 7 feet

Weight: 210 - 250 lbs

Health: 50 points

Stamina: 50 points
4

23
votes
Breton

Bretons are versatile and well-rounded, making them suitable for any playstyle. Their magical resistance also comes in handy throughout the game.
The Breton is a versatile and magical race in Skyrim, known for their exceptional aptitude in spellcasting and magic resistance. They are descendants of both human and elven bloodlines, granting them a unique blend of innate magical abilities and impressive resistance against magical attacks. Bretons are highly skilled mages, making them an ideal choice for players who enjoy playing as spellcasters.

Magic Affinity: Bretons start with a +10 bonus in Conjuration, Alteration, Restoration, Illusion, and Destruction magic skills.

Dragonskin: They can activate the Dragonskin power, which grants them 50% magic resistance and absorbs 50% of magicka for 60 seconds.

Magic Resistance: Bretons have 25% resistance to all forms of magic, making them highly resilient against spells and enchantments.

Fortify Magicka: Their bloodline grants them a permanent +50 Magicka boost, allowing for more spellcasting flexibility.

Greater Power: Once per day, they can use the Greater Power ability 'Resist Magic' to absorb 50% of incoming spell damage while also restoring magicka.
5

10
votes

Argonian

Argonians are skilled in sneaking and swimming, making them great for a stealthy aquatic playthrough. Their unique appearance and lore also add to the game's immersive world.
6

10
votes
Dunmer

Dunmer are skilled in magic and have a unique culture within the game's world. Playing as a Dunmer allows for exploring the game's rich lore and history.
The Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves, are a race in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. They hail from the province of Morrowind and are known for their dark complexion and red eyes. Dunmer society is deeply rooted in traditions and customs tied to their history and the worship of their ancestors.

Resist Fire: +50

Destruction: +10

Alchemy: +5

Light Armor: +5

One-Handed: +5
7

10
votes
Redguard

Redguards are skilled in combat and have a rich cultural history within the game. Playing as a Redguard allows for exploring the game's lore and history in a unique way.
The Redguards are a race of humans in Skyrim who are renowned for their exceptional combat skills, agility, and stamina. Hailing from the desert province of Hammerfell, they have a rich culture steeped in honor and martial prowess. Redguards are highly skilled swordsmen and are well-suited for melee combat.

Combat Skills: Redguards excel in close-quarters combat.

Adrenaline Rush: Once a day, Redguards can regenerate stamina rapidly in combat.

Shield Bash: Redguards have an increased chance to stagger opponents when bashing with a shield.

Resistance to Poison: Redguards have a natural resistance to poison.

Resist Disease: Redguards have a natural resistance to diseases.
8

10
votes

Imperial

Imperials are skilled in diplomacy and have a unique cultural history within the game. Playing as an Imperial allows for exploring the game's politics and intrigue.
9

9
votes
High Elf

Bethesda Game Studios

High Elves are skilled in magic and have a unique culture within the game's world. Playing as a High Elf allows for exploring the game's lore and history from a magical perspective.
The High Elf, also known as Altmer, is a race in Skyrim that hails from the Summerset Isle. They are considered to be one of the most intellectually gifted races in Tamriel, possessing a natural affinity for magic. They are known for their tall stature, golden skin, and golden or silver eyes. High Elves have a deep connection to Aetherius, the realm of the magical energy known as Aether or Starlight.

Magicka Bonus: +50

Skills: Illusion, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Restoration, Enchanting

Power: Highborn - Replenishes Magicka 25x faster for 60 seconds

Starting Spells: Fury, Healing, and Oakflesh

Weakness: Weakness to Magic
10

3
votes
Wood Elf

Bethesda Game Studios

Wood Elves are skilled in archery and have a unique connection to nature within the game's world. Playing as a Wood Elf allows for exploring the game's wilderness and natural beauty.
The Wood Elf, also known as the Bosmer, is a race of elves in Skyrim. They are known for their expertise in archery and stealth, making them excellent hunters and scouts. Bosmer are also skilled in the art of alchemy and often have a close connection with nature and animals.

Racial Ability: Command Animal - Make nearby animals your ally for a short period.

Skill Bonuses: +10 Archery, +5 Alchemy, +5 Light Armor, +5 Lockpicking, +5 Pickpocket, +5 Sneak

Height: 0.93 to 1.1 in-game units

Weight: 0.89 to 1.17 in-game units

Starting Health: 100

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Discussion

Ranking factors for fun race

Unique Abilities and Skills

Each race comes with its own set of unique abilities and skills, which can influence the gameplay experience. For example, some races have better magic abilities, while others excel in combat. Consider which abilities and skills resonate with your preferred playstyle.
Character Customization

Some players may judge races based on the physical appearances and customizability options available. The chosen race may impact how invested the player feels in their character.
Lore and Background

The race's history, culture, and place in the game's world can impact a player's enjoyment. Some users might prefer choosing a race that connects with Skyrim's overarching story, while others might be drawn to a specific race due to its unique background.
Starting Statistics

Each race begins with different starting attributes, which might affect initial gameplay. Some players may see a race's starting stats as a major factor when choosing their character.
Role-playing Opportunities

Some players enjoy creating backstories and fully immersing themselves in their character's persona. In this case, certain races might offer more opportunities for varied and captivating role-playing based on their history and traditions.
Preferred Playstyle

The race you choose can align with your desired playstyle, whether that be stealth, magic, or melee combat. Some races possess special abilities that complement these playstyles better than others.
Community Perception

A race's popularity or perception within the gaming community may also come into play. Some players might be swayed by how others in the community view a particular race.
In-Game Perks and Benefits

Different races may have unique perks or relationships with other in-game characters. These in-game benefits could potentially impact the player's overall enjoyment.
Challenge Level

Some races might present a greater challenge or novelty within the game due to their unique abilities or starting attributes. Players seeking a particular level of difficulty may take this into consideration when choosing their race.
Personal Preference

Lastly, individual preferences play a significant role. The "most fun" race will ultimately depend on the player's unique interests, as well as how those interests align with the race's abilities, lore, and gameplay experience.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most fun race to play in Skyrim. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or racing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2710 views
170 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each racing once every 24 hours. The rank of each racing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most fun race to play in skyrim

Skyrim is a game that has captured the hearts of gamers around the world since its release in 2011. One of the most exciting aspects of this game is the ability to choose from a variety of races, each with its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Whether you prefer to play as a stealthy Khajiit or a powerful Orc, there is a race for everyone in Skyrim. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which race is the most fun to play. In this article, we explore the top contenders and help you make your decision.