Races | skyrim

There are ten different playable races in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Each one possesses its own unique racial abilities and powers. Each race starts off with +10 in one skill and +5 in five other skills. However, this doesn't mean that each race is restricted to creating a certain type of character, because the player can develop any skill over time. Unlike other Elder Scrolls games, Skyrim does not feature classes, so in character creation, the race is the only major gameplay choice that the player has.

Abilities of each race

Argonian

Histskin : Invoke the power of the Hist to recover health ten times faster for 60 seconds.
Resist Disease : Your Argonian blood is 50% resistant to disease.
Water Breathing : Your Argonian Lungs can breath underwater.
(It is also rumored that argonians can swim faster than the other races)

Breton

Dragonskin : Absorb 50% of magicka from hostile spells for 60 seconds.
Magic Resistance : Breton blood grants a 25% resistance to magic.

Dark Elf (Dunmer)

Ancestor’s Wrath : For 60 seconds, opponents that get too close take 8 points per second of fire damage.
Resist Fire : Your Dunmer blood gives you 50% resistance to fire.

High Elf (Altmer)

High Elves, also known as Altmer, are natives of Summerset Isle. They are the most magically proficient race in Tamriel as well as being the most hubristic. Their racial power is a constant effect that lets them regenerate magicka faster than other races.

Highborn : Regenerate magicka faster for 60 seconds.
Highborn : High Elves are born with 50 extra magicka.

Imperial

Voice of the Emperor : Calms nearby people for 60 seconds.
Imperial Luck : Anywhere gold coins might be found, Imperials always seem to find a few more.