Overview
This guide will tell you tons about the races of Morrowind! Whether you want to know which kind of race you would like to play as, or want to know a certain race’s strengths and weaknesses, this is the guide for you!
Introduction
Welcome to a guide to the races of Morrowind!
This guide goes over the strengths and weaknesses of every race in Morrowind, as well as giving tips as to what kind of playstyle works best for them. I’ve also included links in every chapter to provide even more information!
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about this guide, don’t be afraid to share!
Links
Here’s a couple of links that may help you understand what you’re going to read:
- About Attributes[en.uesp.net]
- About Skills[en.uesp.net]
- About Birthsigns (Referred to as “Signs”)[en.uesp.net]
- About Classes[en.uesp.net]
- About Spells[en.uesp.net]
Altmer (High Elves)
Strengths
Altmer have several strengths, most of which are related to magic. They get a large bonus to magicka (1.5 times their Intelligence). They get bonuses to Destruction, Alchemy, Alteration, Conjuration, and Illusion, and are the only race to receive a bonus to Enchant, which is a great skill to be high in.
Altmer have a high initial Intelligence (50). They also have a Resist Common Disease by 75% ability.
Weaknesses
While Altmer are skilled with magicka, they are also rather easily hurt by it. They have a 25% weakness to Frost and Shock, and a 50% weakness to Fire and Magicka.
Suggested Playstyle
Since Altmer have a large increase in magicka, and bonuses to several magical skills, the logical playstyle would be to create a mage-type character. With increases to Alchemy and Enchant, you should be able to protect yourself from your weaknesses via potions or enchanted items. Spells can also work in this way.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Altmer[en.uesp.net]
Argonians
Strengths
Argonians have some really helpful racial abilities. They have a Water Breathing spell (lasts 120 seconds) that only costs 5 magicka. They can Resist Common Disease by 75%, and they are Immune to Poison. Argonians also get a large bonus to Athletics, and small bonuses to Alchemy, Illusion, Medium Armor, Mysticism, Spear, and Unarmored.
Female Argonians have a high initial Intelligence. Males, on the other hand, have high Speed and Agility.
Weaknesses
Argonians don’t have any obvious weaknesses. However, because they are a beast race, they are unable to wear full suits of armor. They also don’t have a boost to magicka.
Suggested Playstyle
Despite the above weaknesses, Argonians are able to play as several different characters. A female could make a good mage, and a male could make a good warrior. Plus, choosing a sign that increases abilities and/or gives you spells that are helpful to your chosen playstyle can only help!
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Argonian[en.uesp.net]
Bosmer (Wood Elves)
Strengths
Bosmer have high initial Speed and Agility. They receive bonuses to Marksman, Sneak, and Light Armor, as well as small bonuses to Alchemy and Acrobatics.
Bosmer have a couple special racial abilities too. They can Resist Common Disease by 75%. They also have a Command Creature spell that lasts for 600 seconds.
Weaknesses
Bosmer have rather low initial Strength, Willpower, and Endurance. However, Strength is rather easy to increase, and choosing a birthsign that increases any of these attributes will help.
Suggested Platstyle
Bosmer can make really sneaky characters. They would be good thieves or assassins, or any style that involves moving quickly and quietly.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Bosmer[en.uesp.net]
Bretons
Strengths
Like Altmer, Bretons are good with magic. Two of their racial abilities are Resist Magicka (50%) and Fortify Maximum Magicka (0.5 times their Intelligence). They also gain bonuses to Conjuration, Mysticism, Restoration, Alchemy, Alteration, and Illusion.
Bretons have a third racial ability, a spell that Shields 50 points for 60 seconds on Self. They also have high initial Intelligence and Willpower.
Weaknesses
Bretons have low initial Agility and Endurance. Females have low initial strength, and males have low initial Speed.
Suggested Playstyle
Bretons would make good mages or magic users. While they don’t have much by way of offensive capabilities, they do have some good defensive ones, and would probably make good Healers.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Breton[en.uesp.net]
Dunmer (Dark Elves)
Dunmer, or Dark Elves, are the third type of elf in Morrowind. They have dark, blueish skin and red eyes, and don’t really like people that aren’t Dunmer or from Morrowind.
Strengths
Dunmer have several strengths, although there really is no one thing they specialize in. They can Resist Fire 75%, and they have a spell that provides 50 points Sanctuary for 60 seconds on self.
Dunmer get skill bonuses to Long Blade, Destruction, Light Armor, Athletics, Mysticism, Marksman, and Short Blade. They also have a high initial Speed.
Weaknesses
Dunmer have a low initial Willpower. Females have low initial Endurance, and males have low initial Personalities.
Suggested Playstyle
Dunmer, with their unique skill bonuses, can honestly play as any kind of character. Some styles may be harder than others; a character that needs Speed might be the best option here.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Dunmer[en.uesp.net]
Imperials
Strengths
Imperials have two very useful racial abilities, both spells. One absorbs 200 points of Fatigue, and the other Charms 25 to 50 points for 15 seconds.
Imperials have high initial Personality. They also have bonuses to Speechcraft, Mercantile, Long Blade, Blunt Weapon, Light Armor, and Hand to Hand.
Weaknesses
Imperials have low initial Agility. Females have low initial Speed, and males have low initial Willpower.
Suggested Playstyle
Like Dunmer, Imperials are a very versatile race. They can easily be used for a Sneak- or Combat-based playstyle, and with the right sign, a Magic-based style isn’t hard to do either. With their Charm spell and high Personality, Imperials can also deal with merchants well, allowing you to get the best deals and make lots of money easier.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Imperial[en.uesp.net]
Khajiit
Strengths
Khajiit have two different racial spells. One is Night Eye (50 points for 30 seconds on Self), and the other is Demoralize Humanoid (100 points for 30 seconds on Target).
Khajiit receive a large bonus to Acrobatics and small bonuses to Athletics, Hand to Hand, Light Armor, Security, Short Blade, and Sneak. They also have high initial Agility.
Weaknesses
Because they are a beast race, Khajiit can’t wear full suits of armor.
Khajiit have low initial Willpower. Females have low initial Strength, and males have low initial Endrance.
Suggested Playstyle
Khajiit do best as a Sneak-based character. However, they can also be warriors rather easily. While they are not really the best race for a Magic-based character, with the right sign, one might be able to pull it off (there are Khajiit mages in the game).
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Khajiit[en.uesp.net]
Nords
Strengths
Nords have several special racial abilities. Two of them are spells: Frost Damage (25 points on Touch) and Shield (30 points, 60 seconds on Self). They can also Resist Shock 50%, and are Immune to Frost.
Nords have high initial Strength. They get bonuses to Axe, Blunt Weapon, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Long Blade, and Spear. Females have high initial Willpower, and males have high initial Endurance.
Weaknesses
Nords have low initial Agility, Intelligence, and Personality.
Suggested Playstyle
Nords are best suited for a Warrior of some kind, due to their high Strength and skill bonuses. While they wouldn’t make a good mage, they can at least resist Shock spells,and are immune to Frost spells, which can be very helpful.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Nord[en.uesp.net]
Orcs
Strengths
Orcs have the ability to Resist Magicka 25%. They also have a really complex spell that Fortifies Health (20 points), Fortifies Fatigue (200 points), Fortifies Attack (100 points), and Drains Agility (100 points), all for 60 seconds on Self.
Orcs receive skill bonuses for Armorer, Block, Heavy Armor, Medium Armor, and Axe. Both Orc genders have high initial Endurance, but males also have high initial Willpower.
Weaknesses
Orcs have low initial Speed and Intelligence. Males also have low initial Personality.
Suggested Playstyle
Like Nords, Orcs are best suited to a Combat-based character. Females may also be able to be slightly more Magic-based, due to a fairly high Intelligence and Willpower.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Orc[en.uesp.net]
Redguards
Strengths
Redguards are able to Resist Poison 75% and can Resist Common Disease 75%. They also have a spell that Fortifies Agility (50 points), Fortifies Endurance (50 points), Fortifies Speed (50 points), Fortifies Strength (50 points), and Fortifies Health (25 points), all for 60 seconds on Self.
Redguards have high initial Endurance, and males have high initial Strength. They get a large bonus to Long Blade and small bonuses to Athletics, Axe, Blunt Weapon, Heavy Armor, Medium Armor, and Short Blade.
Weaknesses
Redguards have low initial Intelligence and Willpower, and males have low initial Personality.
Suggested Playstyle
Like the two previous races, Redguards are best used for combat. With the racial bonuses and their spell, they can easily win over their enemies.
For More Information
Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages: Redguard[en.uesp.net]