[2.3.1] Race Selection

Learn about race selection in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, including stat bonuses, special abilities, and racial details for Argonian, Breton, Dark Elf, and High Elf.

Upon leaving the Prison Ship, you will be prompted to select your character's race, gender, and appearance. Each race is designed with specific stat bonuses that align with certain job classes. For instance, Redguards and Nords are well-suited for warrior roles due to their combat skill bonuses, while Khajiit excel as thieves or stealth characters. Additionally, each race possesses unique inherent powers, ranging from temporary stat boosts (Adrenaline Rush) to elemental damage nullification (Resist Frost).

When making your choice, consider the following base stats:

• STR - Strength: Affects starting health, carrying capacity, maximum fatigue, and melee damage.
• INT - Intelligence: Determines maximum magicka.
• WIL - Willpower: Affects magic resistance and maximum fatigue.
• AGI - Agility: Affects dodging, melee accuracy, and maximum fatigue.
• SPD - Speed: Determines movement speed.
• END - Endurance: Affects starting health, health gain per level, and maximum fatigue.
• PER - Personality: Affects interactions with other characters and their disposition towards you.
• LUC - Luck: Subtly influences all actions.

Argonian

• Bonuses: Alchemy +5, Athletics +15, Illusion +5, Medium Armour +5, Mysticism +5, Spear +5, Unarmoured +5
• Specials: Resist Disease (Common Disease, 75%), Immune to Poison (100%), Water Breathing (120 seconds on self)
• Stats (Male): STR 40, INT 40, WIL 30, AGI 50, SPD 50, END 30, PER 30, LUC 40
• Stats (Female): STR 40, INT 50, WIL 40, AGI 40, SPD 40, END 30, PER 30, LUC 40
• Argonians are a reptilian race, agile and fast. Females lean towards magic with higher intelligence and willpower, while males are more stealthy, speedy, and agile. They are immune to poison and can breathe underwater. Note that Argonians cannot wear shoes or headgear, limiting armour choices.

Breton

• Bonuses: Alchemy +5, Alteration +5, Conjuration +10, Illusion +5, Mysticism +10, Restoration +10
• Specials: Magicka Bonus (Fortify Maximum Magicka 0.5x INT), Resist Magicka (50%), Dragon Skin (Shield, 50 pts, 60 seconds on self)
• Stats (Male): STR 40, INT 50, WIL 50, AGI 30, SPD 30, END 30, PER 40, LUC 40
• Stats (Female): STR 30, INT 50, WIL 50, AGI 30, SPD 40, END 30, PER 40, LUC 40
• Bretons are humanoids adept at magic. They receive stat bonuses across most magic schools and Alchemy. Their Magicka Bonus is beneficial for mages, and combined with certain birthsigns, they can become very powerful magic users. They also have a 50% resistance to magicka and can cast a powerful shield spell.

Dark Elf (Dunmer)

• Bonuses: Athletics +5, Destruction +10, Light Armour +5, Long Blade +5, Marksman +5, Mysticism +5, Short Blade +10
• Specials: Ancestor Guardian (Sanctuary, 50 pts, 60 seconds on self), Resist Fire (75%)
• Stats (Male): STR 40, INT 50, WIL 50, AGI 30, SPD 30, END 30, PER 40, LUC 40
• Stats (Female): STR 30, INT 50, WIL 50, AGI 30, SPD 40, END 30, PER 40, LUC 40
• The Dunmer are the native people of Morrowind, though you will still be considered an outlander. They possess strong intellect and physique, making them versatile for both combat and magic. Their special abilities are not particularly noteworthy, but their balanced skill bonuses allow for a flexible character build. They have a 75% resistance to fire.

High Elf (Altmer)

• Bonuses: Alchemy +10, Alteration +5, Conjuration +5, Destruction +10, Enchant +10, Illusion +5
• Specials: Magicka Bonus (Fortify Maximum Magicka 1.5x INT), Weakness to Magicka (50%), Weakness to Fire (50%), Weakness to Frost (50%)
• Stats (Male): STR 30, INT 50, WIL 40, AGI 40, SPD 30, END 30, PER 40, LUC 40
• Stats (Female): STR 30, INT 50, WIL 40, AGI 40, SPD 40, END 30, PER 40, LUC 40
• High Elves have a significant Magicka Bonus, increasing their maximum magicka by 1.5 times their Intelligence. They also receive bonuses in Alchemy and Enchanting. However, they have a 50% weakness to Magicka, Fire, and Frost, making them more vulnerable to magical attacks.