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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 RacesEdit

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
Gallery

SkillsEdit

All playable races have an associated skill line that complements their lore, such as the Dunmer proficiency with fire based magicka, which unlocks at level 5. 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
+90 Recovery
+915 Max
+90 Recovery
+915 Max
+90 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
 
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 RacesEdit

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 RacesEdit

Khajiit:

Argonian:

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

Other Extant RacesEdit

Historical RacesEdit

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

Monstrous HumanoidsEdit

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".

Daedric RacesEdit

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

Synthetic RacesEdit

The following are robotic humanoid beings.

Technical RacesEdit

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

NotesEdit

  • 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 Imperials are only a playable race for those with the Imperial Edition of the game.