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Races in the Elder Scrolls Online have passives and appearances that are essential to every build, and we share our guide for ESO Race and Passive.
This guide has been updated for the Update 40 patch of the Elder Scrolls Online.
ESO Race and Passive Guide
In The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), players have the option to choose from several different races, each with its unique characteristics, abilities, and lore. These races are divided into three distinct alliances based on their respective provinces in the game world of Tamriel. These individual racial passives and abilities, allow players to tailor their characters to suit their preferred playstyles and roles within the game. Additionally, each race has its own rich lore and cultural background, adding depth to the overall storytelling and immersion within the game world of The Elder Scrolls Online.
This ESO Race and Passive Guide will share the best combinations of race, class, and builds.
What Is The Best ESO Race?
The best overall race in ESO is the Dunmer (Dark Elf) due to increased maximum stats, spell, and weapon damage, as well as fire resistance. The Khajiit race is also a versatile race that has high damage, recovery, and increased max stat in every stat pool. Below are all the races in the Elder Scrolls Online, and the best uses for them:
- High Elf – great choice for pure magicka builds
- Wood Elf – useful for bow build and unique speed bonus
- Khajiit – high critical damage with balance stats and regeneration
- Breton – best magicka resource to sustain race
- Redguard – weak race mainly for stamina resource sustain
- Orc – best stamina PvP race
- Nord – best tank race overall
- Dark Elf – the strongest race for DPS and in general
- Argonian – great healer race and high survivability
- Imperial – all around great except for magicka builds
Aldmeri Dominion Races
High Elf (Altmer)
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the High Elf in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Highborn – Increases your experience gained with the Destruction Staff skill line by 15%. Increases your experience gained by 1%.
- Spell Recharge – When you activate an ability, you restore 625 Magicka or Stamina, based on whichever is lowest. This effect can occur once every 6 seconds. When you are using an ability with a channel or cast time, you take 5% less damage.
- Syrabane’s Boon – Increases your Max Magicka by 2000.
- Elemental Talent – Increases your Weapon and Spell Damage by 258.
The High Elf (Altmer) race in ESO offers several racial passives that cater to magicka-based builds. These passives include increased experience gained with the Destruction Staff skill line, increased max Magicka, and bonuses to spell and weapon damage. Additionally, High Elves have a racial passive that restores Magicka or Stamina when activating ability and reduces damage taken during abilities with channel or cast times.
High Elves are well-suited for players who prefer magicka-based damage dealers, such as Magicka Templars or Magplars. Their racial passives enhance spell damage and sustain, making them excellent choices for pure magicka-focused builds. However, their lack of bonuses to stamina may not be ideal for players interested in hybrid gameplay or stamina-based builds.
Overall, High Elves are a strong choice for players looking to maximize their Magicka-based damage output and sustain in ESO, particularly for those focusing on classes like Magicka Templars.
Wood Elf (Bosmer)
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Wood Elf in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Acrobat – Increases your experience gain with the Bow skill line by 15%. Decreases your fall damage taken by 10%.
- Hunter’s Eye – Increases your stealth detection radius by 3 meters. Increases your movement speed by 5% and your Physical and Spell Penetration by 950.
- Y’ffre’s Endurance – Increases your Stamina Recovery by 258.
- Resist Affliction – Increases your Max Stamina by 2000 and your Disease and Poison Resistance by 2310.
The Wood Elf race in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) offers racial passives that are well-suited for stamina-focused builds, particularly for characters who prioritize mobility and stealth. These passives include increased experience gain with the Bow skill line, reduced fall damage, increased stealth detection radius, movement speed, physical and spell penetration, stamina recovery, and resistance to diseases and poisons.
Wood Elves are ideal for players who prefer stamina-based damage dealers, such as Nightblades. Their racial passives enhance stamina recovery, movement speed, and stealth capabilities, making them excellent choices for characters focused on high mobility and stealthy gameplay. However, their lack of bonuses to magicka may not be suitable for players interested in magicka-based builds.
Overall, Wood Elves are a strong choice for players looking to maximize their stamina-based damage output and mobility in ESO, particularly for those focusing on classes like Nightblades and preferring a stealthy playstyle.
Khajiit
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Khajiit in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Cutpurse – Increases your experience gain with the Medium Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your chance to successfully pickpocket by 5%.
- Robustness – Increases your Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery by 90.
- Lunar Blessings – Increase your Maximum Health, Magicka, and Stamina by 915.
- Feline Ambush – Increases your Critical Damage and Critical Healing by 12%. Decreases your detection radius in Stealth by 3 meters.
The Khajiit race provides racial passives that make them one of the top choices for damage dealers, both for magicka and stamina builds. These passives include increased experience gain with the Medium Armor skill line and a bonus to pickpocketing chance. Additionally, Khajiits have racial passives that enhance health, magicka, and stamina recovery, as well as bonuses to maximum health, magicka, and stamina. Their most notable passive increases critical damage and healing while decreasing detection radius in Stealth.
Khajiits are ideal for players who prioritize damage output, whether they are playing as magicka or stamina-based damage dealers. Their racial passives provide well-balanced bonuses to resource recovery and maximum stats, making them versatile choices for various roles such as DPS, tanking, or healing. However, their racial passive for critical damage may sometimes exceed the critical damage cap of 125%, especially in trials or parsing situations, potentially resulting in inefficient stat utilization.
Overall, Khajiits are an excellent choice for players who enjoy playing as Nightblades or any other damage-focused class in ESO, particularly for those seeking high burst potential in dungeons and PvP scenarios. Their versatility and well-rounded racial passives make them suitable for players aiming for strong damage output across different playstyles and roles.
Daggerfall Covenant Races
Breton
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Breton in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Opportunist – Increases your experience gain with the Light Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your Alliance Points gained by 1%.
- Gift of Magnus – Increases your Max Magicka by 2000.
- Spell Attunement – Increases your Spell Resistance by 2310. This effect is doubled if you are afflicted with Burning, Chilled, or Concussed. Increases your Magicka Recovery by 130.
- Magicka Mastery – Reduces the Magicka cost of your abilities by 7%.
The Breton race in ESO give racial passives that make them exceptional choices for magicka-based characters, particularly healers or support roles. These passives include increased experience gain with the Light Armor skill line and bonuses to Alliance Points gained. Additionally, Bretons have racial passives that enhance maximum Magicka, spell resistance, Magicka recovery, and reduce the Magicka cost of abilities.
Bretons are ideal for players who prioritize sustain and utility in their magicka-based characters, especially in roles such as healing or support. Their racial passives provide excellent sustain through reduced Magicka cost of abilities and increased Magicka recovery, making them suitable choices for players who may struggle with resource management, particularly in the early stages of the game or with lower Champion Points or gear.
While Bretons may lack bonuses to spell damage or critical damage/healing compared to other races, their exceptional sustain and utility make them invaluable in roles where survivability and support are crucial. Therefore, Bretons are best suited for players looking to play as magicka-based healers or support characters, both in PvP and PvE content in ESO.
Redguard
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Redguard in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Wayfarer – Increases your experience gain with the One Hand and Shield skill line by 15%. Increases the duration of any eaten food by 15 minutes.
- Martial Training – Reduces the cost of your weapon abilities by 8%. Reduces the effectiveness of snares applied to you by 15%.
- Conditioning – Increases your Max Stamina by 2000.
- Adrenaline Rush – When you deal damage, you restore 1005 Stamina. This effect can occur once every 5 seconds.
The Redguard race ESO provides passives that make them excellent choices for stamina-based characters, particularly those focusing on weapon skills and sustained combat. These passives include increased experience gained with the One Hand and Shield skill line and an extended duration for consumed food. Additionally, Redguards have racial passives that enhance maximum Stamina, reduce the cost of weapon abilities, reduce the effectiveness of snares applied to them, and provide stamina restoration upon dealing damage.
Redguards are ideal for players who prioritize sustain and efficiency in their stamina-based characters, especially those relying heavily on weapon skills for damage and utility. Their racial passives provide exceptional sustain through reduced cost of weapon abilities and consistent stamina restoration during combat, making them suitable choices for players who may struggle with resource management or who prefer sustained combat over burst damage.
However, Redguards lack the Weapon and Spell damage bonuses that other races offer and therefore not recommended at the end game.
Orc
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Orc in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Craftsman – Increases your experience gain with the Heavy Armor skill line by 15%. Increases your crafting inspiration gained by 10%.
- Brawny – Increases your Max Stamina by 1000.
- Unflinching Rage – Increases your Max Health by 1000. When you deal damage, you heal for 2125 Health. This can occur once every 4 seconds.
- Swift Warrior – Increases your Weapon and Spell Damage by 258. Reduces the cost of Sprint by 12% and increases the Movement Speed bonus of Sprint by 10%.
The Orc race in ESO grants passives that make them exceptional choices for aggressive PvP builds. These passives include increased experience gain with the Heavy Armor skill line and bonuses to crafting inspiration gained. Additionally, Orcs have racial passives that enhance maximum Stamina and Health, provide healing upon dealing damage, increase weapon and spell damage, reduce the cost of Sprint, and increase the movement speed bonus of Sprint.
Orcs are ideal for players who prioritize aggression, mobility, and sustained combat in PvP scenarios, especially those utilizing stamina-based characters. Their racial passives provide exceptional sustain through healing upon dealing damage, high max Stamina and Health, increased weapon and spell damage, and enhanced mobility through reduced Sprint cost and increased movement speed bonus during Sprint. These attributes make Orcs suitable choices for players who prefer an aggressive yet safe playstyle in PvP, particularly in roles such as stamina-based damage dealers or brawlers.
While Orcs may lack bonuses to sustain compared to other races, their aggressive playstyle and exceptional mobility make them invaluable for players seeking high damage output and sustained combat in PvP. Therefore, Orcs are best suited for players looking to play as stamina-based characters in PvP scenarios, particularly those who prioritize aggression, mobility, and sustained combat.
Ebonheart Pact Races
Argonian
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Argonian in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Amphibian – Increases your experience gain with the Restoration Staff skill line by 15%. Increases your swimming speed by 50%.
- Life Mender – Increases your healing done by 6%.
- Argonian Resistance – Increases your Max Health by 1000 and your Disease and Poison Resistance by 2310.
- Resourceful – Increases your Max Magicka and Max Stamina by 1000. When you drink a potion, you restore 3125 Health, Magicka, and Stamina.
The Argonian race in ESO provides passives that make them exceptional choices for versatile and resilient characters. These passives include increased experience gain with the Restoration Staff skill line and enhanced swimming speed. Additionally, Argonians have racial passives that increase healing done, enhance max Health, Disease, and Poison resistance, and provide bonuses to both max Magicka and Stamina. Furthermore, they restore Health, Magicka, and Stamina upon drinking a potion.
Argonians are ideal for players who prioritize versatility, resilience, and support in their characters, particularly those focused on healing or tanking roles. Their racial passives provide exceptional healing output, tankiness, and sustain, making them suitable choices for players who prioritize survivability and support in various game modes, including PvP. However, they may not be as effective in DPS roles due to their lack of bonuses to weapon or spell damage and critical bonuses.
Overall, Argonians are best suited for players looking to play as versatile and resilient characters, particularly in roles such as healers or tanks in both PvP and PvE scenarios. Their racial passives make them ideal choices for players who prioritize survivability, support, and versatility in their characters in ESO.
Dark Elf (Dunmer)
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Dark Elf in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Ashlander – Increases your experience gain with the Dual Wield skill line by 15%. Reduces your damage taken from environmental lava by 50%.
- Dynamic – Increases your Max Magicka and Max Stamina by 1910.
- Resist Flame – Increases your Flame Resistance by 4620.
- Ruination – Increases your Weapon and Spell Damage by 258.
The Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves, in ESO is the best overall race due to its versatility for both magicka and stamina-based builds. These passives include increased experience gain with the Dual Wield skill line and reduced damage taken from environmental lava. Additionally, Dunmer has racial passives that increase both max Magicka and Stamina, increase Flame Resistance, and boost Weapon and Spell Damage.
Dunmer is ideal for players who value versatility and flexibility in their characters, particularly those who may switch between magicka and stamina-based builds. Their racial passives provide a balanced mix of offensive and defensive bonuses, making them suitable choices for players who may not have decided on a specific playstyle or role yet. However, Dunmer may struggle with resource sustain due to the lack of direct passives affecting resource management, although this can be mitigated through other means such as consumables, gear, and champion points.
Overall, Dunmer is best suited for players looking for a versatile race that can excel in both magicka and stamina-based builds. They are particularly effective for players who prioritize versatility and flexibility in their characters and may switch between different playstyles or roles in ESO.
Nord
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Nord in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Reveler – Increases your experience gain with the Two-Handed skill line by 15%. Increases the duration of any consumed drink by 15 minutes.
- Resist Frost – Increases your Max Health by 1000 and Frost Resistance by 4620.
- Stalwart – Increases your Max Stamina by 1500. When you take damage, you gain 5 Ultimate. This effect can occur once every 10 seconds.
- Rugged – Increases your Physical and Spell Resistance by 2600.
Nords in ESO grant racial passives that make them exceptionally sturdy and well-suited for tanking roles, particularly for Dragonknight builds. These passives include increased experience gain with the Two-Handed skill line and an extended duration for consumed drinks. Additionally, Nords have racial passives that increase Max Health, Frost Resistance, Max Stamina, provide Ultimate gain when taking damage, and enhance Physical and Spell Resistance.
Nords are ideal for players who prioritize defense and tanking capabilities in their characters, particularly those focused on stamina-based tanking builds. Their racial passives provide exceptional durability through increased resistances, Max Health, and Max Stamina, along with Ultimate generation when taking damage. These attributes make Nords suitable choices for players who enjoy a sturdy and defensive playstyle, particularly in roles such as tanking in dungeons, trials, or PvP scenarios.
While Nords may lack the massive stat pool and resource sustain of other races, their exceptional sturdiness and defensive capabilities make them invaluable for players seeking to excel in tanking roles, especially when paired with stamina-based Dragonknight builds. Therefore, we recommend the Nord for tank players in our ESO Race and Passive Guide.
Bonus Race – ESO Race Guide
Imperial
Below are the passive skills and bonuses for the Imperial in Elder Scrolls Online:
- Diplomat – Increases your experience gain with the One Hand and Shield skill line by 15%. Increases your gold gained by 1%.
- Tough – Increases your Max Health by 2000.
- Imperial Mettle – Increases your Max Stamina by 2000.
- Red Diamond – Reduces the cost of all your abilities by 6%.
The Imperial Race in ESO passives makes them strong choices for players who prioritize versatility and cost reduction in their builds. These passives include increased experience gain with the One Hand and Shield skill line and increased gold gained. Additionally, Imperials have racial passives that enhance Max Health, Max Stamina, and reduce the cost of all abilities.
Imperials are ideal for players who value versatility and cost reduction in their characters, particularly those who may switch between magicka and stamina-based builds or utilize a variety of abilities. Their racial passives provide a substantial pool of health and stamina, making them suitable choices for players who prioritize survivability in various game modes. Furthermore, the reduction in ability cost benefits players who rely heavily on both magicka and stamina-based abilities.
While Imperials may lack bonuses to weapon or spell damage compared to other races, their versatility and cost reduction in all abilities make them strong choices for players who value resource management and versatility in their characters. Therefore, Imperials are best suited for players looking for a versatile race that can excel in both magicka and stamina-based builds, particularly those who prioritize survivability and versatility in their characters in ESO.
ESO Best Race for Each Class
Below is a chart for the best races for each class in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO):
| Class | Magicka DPS | Stamina DPS | Healer | Tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonknight | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
| Nightblade | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
| Sorcerer | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
| Templar | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
| Warden | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
| Necromancer | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
| Arcanist | Dunmer | Dunmer | Breton | Nord |
PvE Damage Dealer Race Ranking
| Stamina DPS | Magicka DPS |
|---|---|
| #1 Dark Elf | #1 Dark Elf |
| #2 Khajiit | #2 High Elf |
| #3 Orc | #3 Khajiit |
PvE Healers & Tank Race Ranking
| Healer | Tank |
|---|---|
| #1 Breton | #1 Nord |
| #2 Argonian | #2 Imperial |
| #3 Khajiit | #3 Argonian |
PvP Race Ranking
| Stamina PvP | Magicka PvP |
|---|---|
| #1 Khajiit | #1 Dark Elf |
| #2 Imperial | #2 High Elf |
| #3 Orc | #3 Breton |
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