Choosing the Best Beginner-Friendly Race in Skyrim

When starting a new adventure in Skyrim, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing your character's race. With 10 unique options to choose from, each with its own set of bonuses and abilities, it can be overwhelming for beginners to decide which one to pick. In this guide, we'll rank the 10 Skyrim races from worst to best for beginners, helping you make an informed decision for your new adventure.

What Makes a Good Beginner-Friendly Race in Skyrim?

When evaluating the best beginner-friendly races in Skyrim, we consider several factors, including:

• Passive and active abilities that complement a beginner's playstyle
• Skill bonuses that provide an advantage in various areas of the game
• Benefits that simplify navigation and combat
• Balance between combat, exploration, and roleplaying

Ranking the Top 10 Skyrim Races for Beginners

The Khajiit are the worst starting option for beginners, despite their natural stealth abilities. Their lack of passive and active abilities makes it difficult for new players to adapt to the game mechanics.

• +10 Sneak
• +5 Alchemy
• +5 Archery
• +5 Lockpicking
• +5 One-handed
• +5 Pickpocket

Argonians are a close second to the Khajiit in terms of difficulty for beginners. Their skills are primarily focused on thieving and stealth, which may not be suitable for new players who want to explore the world and master other skills.

• +10 Lockpicking
• +5 Alteration
• +5 Light Armor
• +5 Pickpocket
• +5 Restoration
• +5 Sneak

The Dunmer are a strong contender, but their ability to use magic can make the game too complicated for beginners. Their skill bonuses are great for experienced players, but it's not ideal for new players who want to master the basics first.

• +10 Destruction
• +5 Alchemy
• +5 Alteration
• +5 Illusion
• +5 Light Armor
• +5 Sneak

Bosmers have a mix of stealth and archery skill bonuses, but they require a certain level of game knowledge to utilize effectively.

• +10 Archery
• +5 Alchemy
• +5 Light Armor
• +5 Lockpicking
• +5 Pickpocket
• +5 Sneak

Orsimers are a solid choice for beginners, as their skill bonuses and passives provide them with excellent tanking abilities.

• +10 Heavy Armor
• +5 Block
• +5 Enchanting
• +5 One-Handed
• +5 Smithing
• +5 Two-Handed

Imperials are an excellent choice for beginners, as their passive and active abilities provide them with a well-rounded gameplay experience.

• +10 Restoration
• +5 Block
• +5 Destruction
• +5 Enchanting
• +5 Heavy Armor
• +5 One-Handed

Nords are one of the most popular races in the game, and for a good reason. Their skill bonuses and passives provide them with excellent melee combat abilities.

• +10 Two-Handed
• +5 Block
• +5 Light Armor
• +5 One-Handed
• +5 Smithing
• +5 Speech

Redguards are similar to Nords but with a few more benefits for melee combat.

• +10 One-Handed
• +5 Alteration
• +5 Archery
• +5 Block
• +5 Destruction
• +5 Smithing

Bretons are a versatile race with skill bonuses in multiple areas. They're an excellent choice for beginners who want to dabble in both magic and melee combat.

• +10 Conjuration
• +5 Alchemy
• +5 Alteration
• +5 Illusion
• +5 Restoration
• +5 Speech

Altmers are the ultimate beginners' choice for a simple and satisfying experience. Their bonuses and abilities provide them with an excellent foundation for mastering magic and spellcasting.

• +10 Illusion
• +5 Alteration
• +5 Conjuration
• +5 Destruction
• +5 Enchanting
• +5 Restoration

Ultimately, the best beginner-friendly race in Skyrim is the Altmer (High Elf) due to their powerful skill bonuses and abilities, making them an ideal choice for mastering magic and spellcasting.