This topic was made to talk about the *RACIAL ABILITIES* and why you believe they are dominant over the other ones. Please, post your favorite race on here and give your opinion as to why they are the best. Give us examples of their strengths and weaknesses that they have. Hopefully, you could shed some light on the more uncommon characters (If you use one) and give us your unique point of view on your favorite race. I'll start.

First off, I like the Breton the most. Here's why.

When it comes to Bretons, they are good in the field of magic. While High Elves seems like a more appropriate choice for a mage, Bretons are more of a defensive style and High Elves are open for taking more damage.

What really appeals to me with the Breton is the fact that they have a passive 25% magic resistance with a one-day ability of Dragonskin, boosting it up to 75% no questions asked. However, if the player were to mix this 25% with Magic Resistance, the player then becomes 55% resistant to magic, again no questions asked. From there, if the player chooses to be a heavily armored healing warrior, or a Paladin, the shield ability "Elemental Protection" allows them to to become 105% resistant to magic while they're holding the shield up. This means that any fire, frost, or shock damage does absolutely nothing at all while the player is blocking.

With the 55% if the player chooses to be more towards the mage, this is easily fixed with the "Atronach" stone. Not only does the player at this point have 55% magic resistance, but they also get a bonus of 50% magic ABSORPTION, allowing the player to regain mana when struck with unfriendly spells. (Although the stone also means there's a -50% magic regen penalty, but the "Recovery" skill in Restoration neutralizes that)

Now the benefits of the magic resistance/absorption, that means that ANY magic user (Dragons, Dragon Priests, etc) are completely and utterly useless unless they perchance have some physical attacks that can hurt you. Dragons are useless unless they land on the ground and try to bite you, giving you a critical advantage over them in combat.

I can say the only weakness the Breton mage set up like this has is a strong melee fighter, but that can be countered if the character can conjure and use magical defense resistances.

Though some races will be better outfitted for other things (bretons/high elves for magic) I think any character can become powerful and efficient in any field.

I made a khajiit (same as last 2 games) and tend to try making them all rounded, but predominently in use of greatswords and warhammers so I can kill enemies quickly.

Usually you don't hear a Khajiit running around with a warhammer the size of a sedan lol. Why did you choose to do that?

P.S. I just noticed your picture isn't a face. xD Nice pic.

Exactly,I dont like that -If you are a mage choose breton or high elf x). or if you are a warrior be a orc,nord,redguard or imperial.. Try something unique,And there is no "Best" race.

They are all more or less the same.
I have a soft spot for the redesigned Khajiits though.
As well as the new elven look for Altmer, Dunmer, and Bosmer.
Wish they would have done more to distinguish the Bretons aesthetically though.
They are still dull as dishwater and look almost exactly like the Imperials to me.

Becouse he can The game doesnt force you to be a thief if you are a khajiit,thats the beauty of skyrim. be what you want,who you want

I was mostly aiming more towards the racial abilities and how you use them to your advantage. Sorry for the mixup.

Altmer. One needs no reason. Just being one is enough...for any character type.

I find the orcs to be the greatest warriors in Skyrim, if only for their racial power: Doubling their weapon and armor values for a breif minute. Quite possibly the greatest power in the series. In the past I would've prefered the Redguards, but the stamina regen isn't entirely necissary. I suppose it could be handy when in a pinch.

The Bretons have been gimped from resisting 50% to 25% of magicka, but I still find them superior to most. My favorite race since Morrowind, but their magicka bonus is lost in Skyrim. The Altmer has a nice boost to magicka as well as a regeneration power, which makes them the best mages in my opinion.

The kajiit and Argonians have unarmed bonuses, but the kajiit's is slightly better, making them perfect werewolves. A catdog. The Argonians power to regenerate health is superb, which makes them great tanks.

Unfortunatley, powers last for around a minute per day, so I usually prefer permenent bonuses over powers, although the powers in this game can be worthwhile.

Wow that is some good insight and observation! You taught me a lot I never knew before. Orcs with heavy armor and a 2-handed weapon are not to be taken lightly for sure. Also I should capitalize on the Khajiit the fact that they can also see better in the dark. (I don't take advantage of the game's brightness. Either I use torches, nighteye, or magelight.) Not to mention, nighteye costs no mana and can be used indefinately.

That is what I found with my orc http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/subrosa_florens/Skyrim/Skyrim002.jpg. She was a 2-handed, heavy armor warrior. When she went berserk she was a killing machine.

I understand that. I was trying to get his point of view on that. I have to say, you've taken this entire topic out of context. I am not trying to start an arguement, I am trying to see what people prefer as far as race goes. I can see that you are one that doesn't care which race you are using. Thank you for that information.

I have personally never tried an orc before. I need to give it a shot.

Bosmer and Breton are my personal favorites. The Breton racials are very handy for a mage

I am sorry
And i care much about wich race i am playing as,Its an important thing for RPing. I am not one of those that just choose a race then speedrun the game i take time.

No prob. I understand what you mean though. I can take a nord who is stereotyped as a warrior and turn him into a full out mage if I wanted to. In fact, looking at his race bonus the battle cry he does would actually work really nicely when enemies get close by.

Bretons are kind of OP by nature. 25% resist magic is nothing to sneeze at.

Thanks for understanding me.
Also i think the coolest racial ability is argonians water breathing well not often you swim underwater but.. Still awesome.
Every race is cool in its own way

I will say now what I didn't mention earlier.

If I take up enchanting and put on the full enchantments+daedric armor for Destruction/Restoration Magic, not only do I have 105% resistance/absorption, but I have also become the ultimate mage. No magic damage+High Armor+Unlimited Mana=Profit.

Aanlaien, to extend our discussion in the other thread, idk how people CAN'T choose Khajiit. I remember the first time I was selecting a race and saw the khajiit. I was like, now THAT'S cool. night vision and natural sneak bonus? That's unstoppable. Why are there even other races?

Which leads me to my answer... KHAJIIT. Or argonian, honestly. They're both pretty solid at being sneaks, warriors, or hybrid. Although I did go with wood elf first time around, I constantly regretted it. It felt weird sneaking around. To me, Khajiits seem like the only viable sneak with their padded feet and natural nimbleness. And being an archer (and not a freaking vamp) khajiits are the only way to get night eye. Which, if you haven't tried, you're sorely missing out. Although the unarmed damage is meh, it does come in handy with brawls and such, so it's not a complete waste.

If you're a sneak, Khajiits rule everything.

That being said, Argonians are a bit more sturdy and work as just about any type of character, especially a jack of all trades. In early levels when my Khajiit couldn't sneak, the argonians durability and histskin would have been much more help. But the disease resistance becomes futile with lycanthropy

So I say they're tied, one being given a better edge at stealth, and the other combat

Edit: But now that I think about it, redguard might be the better jack of all trades. Not only with natural skills in every offensive tree, but stamina regen can be a lifesaver, and practical for travelling. I might put it above argonians seeing how their racial bonus doesn't go to waste

Oh the santa dragon thing? Bethesda released it as a big picture around xmas xD

And good question, in Morrowind I loved the dai katanas as they were just awesome, the only thing resembling one in skyrim is this one sword which isn't that great: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Ebony_Blade
But since then I just like using big powerful weapons regardless of race (: I know it seems a little out of place a sneaky khajiit using warhammers, but it's fun to break away from stereotypes of say muscly orc with greatswords

Man I hear you in full. Not only do Khajiits have TWO passive abilities that can be active at any time indefinately, but they are the sneaking masters. They are ideal for the assassin class which involves no support at all whatsoever. They are REALLY good.

Here's the thing. I have a pre-determined schema of what a Khajiit should be like. I do believe that a Khajiit assassin would be the best choice for playing on Iron Man Mode (Master Difficulty, No Support), but my schema does not allow me to extend the boundaries to shouts such as breathing fire out of their mouths and pushing people off of cliffs. I'm sorry! >_<

On the other hand, I enjoyed the Khajiit race very much in Morrowind and Oblivion, but when it comes to shouting in Skyrim, I believe the only acceptable shout is the whisper that allows Khajiit to see people behind walls. >_< Again I'm sorry! Tell my brain to stop it!

The only way *I* can be ok with playing a Khajiit is if I avoid the main quest line altogether. My schema just doesn't agree with it. I don't know what else to do! D:

I hear you man. A good khajiit can sneak with a dagger, but a great Khajiit can sneak with a warhammer. Lol

And that's my biggest problem with Skyrim. If I'm not a Nord, I don't feel like I have the right to shout. MY schema doesn't think the dragonborn should be anything but nord.

But as far as gameplay goes, any shout can help a khajiit. Fighting a dragon in forest? animal allegiance. sneak attempt on fort went bad? storm call. that spriggan giving you a hard time? fire breath. But yeah, I use aura whisper the most. I've been in character for so long that I don't see a problem with my khajiit shouting (he's the chosen one by akatosh to carry a dragon's soul, he needs no reason) although early on it created a lot of immersion issues for me

You know what the funny thing is? I have never gotten far enough in the game with a Khajiit to actually use shouts. >_< I've never tried it personally. I realize that my issue is completely and utterly psychological. If only there were a counselor in Skyrim.

Khajiit: I just don't feel like I belong as a Dragonborn.

Counselor: Yes, you can be a Dragonborn and be okay with it.

Khajiit: Okay!