Online:Races

This page details the ten playable races in Elder Scrolls Online, as well as the many non-playable NPC races you can encounter.

"NPCs" are programmed and classified differently than "creatures" in-game, with the former sharing similar shapes and animations to the playable characters while the latter consist of non-humanoid monsters and animals; this article defines "races" based on this technical categorization.

Playable Races

There are ten playable races in ESO. Each race has a home province (with the exception of Orcs), as well as an alliance that they are a member of. The races can be organized by what alliance they are loyal to:

Aldmeri Dominion	Daggerfall Covenant	Ebonheart Pact	Other
Altmer (High Elves) Bosmer (Wood Elves) Khajiit	Breton Orc (Orsimer) Redguard	Argonian (Saxhleel) Dunmer (Dark Elves) Nord	Imperial (Cyrodiils)

Gallery

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  Altmer, Bosmer, and Khajiit

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  Breton, Redguard, and Orc

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  Argonian, Dunmer, and Nord

Skills

All playable races have an associated skill line that complements their lore, such as the Dunmer proficiency with fire based magicka. The skill lines also give a bonus to one weapon or armor type which also complements their lore, such as the Nords bonus to Two Handed weapons.

Race bonuses at maximum level

Alliance	Race	+15% exp gain in skill	Max Magicka Magicka Recovery Spell Damage	Max Health Health Recovery	Max Stamina Stamina Recovery Weapon Damage	Other Bonuses
Aldmeri Dominion	High Elf	Destruction Staff	+2000 Max +258		+258	Activating an ability restores 625 Magicka or Stamina, based on whichever is lowest, once every 6 sec. Take 5% less damage when using ability with a channel or cast time. Increased experience gain by 1%.
	Wood Elf	Bow			+2000 Max +258 Recovery	Increased movement speed by 5%. Increased physical and spell penetration by 950. Decreases fall damage taken by 10%. Poison and Disease Resistance increased by 2310. Increased stealth detection radius by 3 meters.
	Khajiit	Medium Armor	+915 Max +85 Recovery	+915 Max +100 Recovery	+915 Max +85 Recovery	Increased chance to successfully pickpocket by 5%. Decreased detection radius in Stealth by 3 meters. Increased Critical Damage and Critical healing by 12%
Daggerfall Covenant	Breton	Light Armor	+2000 Max +130 Recovery			Increased Spell Resistance by 2310, doubled while affected with Burning, Chilled, or Concussed. Reduced cost of Magicka abilities by 7%. Increased alliance points gain by 1%.
	Redguard	One Hand and Shield			+2000 Max	Increased duration of any eaten food by 15 minutes. Reduced cost of weapon abilities by 8%. Reduces the effectiveness of snares by 15%. Dealing damage restores 1005 Stamina once every 5 seconds.
	Orc	Heavy Armor	+258	+1000 Max	+1000 Max +258	Increased crafting inspiration gain by 10%. Dealing damage restores 2125 Health once every 4 seconds. The cost of Sprinting is reduced by 12%, and its speed bonus is increased by 10%.
Ebonheart Pact	Nord	Two Handed		+1000 Max	+1500 Max	Consumed drinks duration increased by 15 minutes. Cold Resistance increased by 4620. When taking damage gain 5 Ultimate once every 10 seconds. Physical and Spell Resistance increased by 2600.
	Dark Elf	Dual Wield	+1910 Max +258		+1910 Max +258	Reduces damage taken from environmental lava by 50%. Increased Flame Resistance by 4620.
	Argonian	Restoration Staff	+1000 Max	+1000 Max	+1000 Max	Increased swimming speed by 50%. Increased healing done by 6%. Increased Disease and Poison Resistance by 2310. Restore 3125 Health, Magicka, and Stamina when drinking a potion.
Any	Imperial	One Hand and Shield		+2000 Max	+2000 Max	Increased gold gain by 1%. Reduced cost of all abilities by 6%.

Many of the above 'other bonuses' do not unlock until player level 25 or above. Details can be found on each race's associated page.

Non-Playable Races

There are a number of other races throughout the game that are not available for you to play as (although some are available as polymorphs):

Subspecies of Playable Races

Khajiit:

• Alfiq*
• Cathay-raht
• Dagi
• Dagi-raht
• Pahmar
• Pahmar-raht
• Senche-raht*

Argonian:

• Naga
• Argonian Behemoth*

*These races are of the same species as playable ones, but are classified as "creatures" in-game due to being non-humanoid.

Other Extant Races

• Maormer
• Reachfolk

Historical Races

These races are extinct in the present day, but can be encountered in undead form or in flashbacks.

• Ayleid
• Chimer
• Dwemer
• Kothringi
• Nede
• Snow Elf

Monstrous Humanoids

These races are uncivilized beings that are nonetheless humanoid enough to share the same programming template as NPCs from playable races as opposed to being "creatures".

• Falmer
• Goblin
• Riekling
• Riekr
• Sea Giant
• Spriggan (humanoid versions)

Daedric Races

These races are varieties of the demonic Daedra that are classified as humanoid NPCs as opposed to their more monstrous brethren.

• Auroran
• Dark Seducer
• Dremora
• Fire Behemoth
• Golden Saint
• Havocrel
• Huntsman
• Shrike
• Skaafin
• Spiderkith
• Wraith-of-Crows
• Xivilai
• Xivkyn

Synthetic Races

The following are robotic humanoid beings.

• Dwarven Architon
• Factotum

Technical Races

These "races" do not fictionally represent such, but are still programmed and classified as their own in-game humanoid "species".

• Blood Scion
• Bone Goliath
• Draugr (Dragon Priest)
• Shade
• Pumpkin Spectre
• Scarecrow Spectre
• Skeleton
• Soulrazer Knight

Notes

• Your choice of Alliance when creating your character, usually dictated by race, is the single biggest influence on how your game will differ compared to other players.
  • The Explorer's Pack and Adventurer Pack remove the limitation on races within Alliances, allowing any race to be played in any Alliance.
• The Imperials are only a playable race for those with the Imperial Edition of the game.