Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Choosing a race based on playing style
• Method 2 of 2: Pay attention to other factors
• Tips

Unlike many games, Skyrim has few restrictions based on the character you choose to start with. The breed you choose will make some styles of play a lot easier at first, but that shouldn't stop you from trying out other styles. It will always be possible for you to practice any type of martial arts, magic, craft, or thief, improving your skills the more you use them. Revisit your options to learn which bonuses are most important, or which playstyle they are a good fit for. Don't hesitate to go your own way if an idea appeals to you.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Choosing a race based on playing style

1. Play a simple warrior. Do you feel like playing a sincere, pugnacious, and punchy character? If so, you have two main options. Also check out the next step below, for more versatile options that are still focused on hand-to-hand combat (melee).
   • The Nord is an excellent first character option. You will be skilled with two-handed weapons, get more money for selling loot, have a Light Armor bonus and special abilities associated with this character (character skills). This will keep you upright and allow you to survive the start of the game.
   • The Orc is phenomenal when it comes to surviving injuries and delivering blows in the melee. With direct access to the Orcs and Orc Trainers' shops, armor and weapon craft bonuses, and both one-handed and two-handed weapons bonuses, you will have many options to choose from.
2. Create a thief. If you enjoy playing stealthy characters and want to specialize more in stealing and discovering than fighting, make an Argonian or a Khajiit. The higher Lockpicking and Pickpocket skills you start with are especially helpful at the start of the game. Since improving those skills requires that you succeed first of all with the attempts to crack locks and roll bags.
   • Argonians have a better Lockpicking bonus, and Light Armor bonus and a character ability that regenerates life once a day. All of these things will make living as a low-level furtive character a little easier.
   • The Khajiit have a better unarmed bonus, a better Sneak bonus and an Archery bonus, and are usually more versatile. Choose this one if you are not completely satisfied with the thief's archetype, or if you want to be a good warrior as well.
3. Make a hit man or an archer. Stealthy characters who are also good at combat prefer Archery, Alchemy, and Light Armor bonuses. The Khajiit and Wood Elf are excellent choices, while the Dark Elf is a good choice if you also feel like doing some magic here and there.
4. Play as a wizard. There are a number of different types of magic, but you don't have to choose just one. High Elves have bonuses for all five, plus big bonuses for Magicka (the energy or mana needed to cast the spell). Breton are also versatile wizards, although especially good at Conjuration.
5. Choose a more complex character. Dark Elves have bonuses for offensive magic and stealth and can be played as both a wizard assassin and wizard thief. Imperials are quite strong at both melee and magic, especially healing magic. Finally, Redguards are best at using one-handed weapons, but generally have fairly untargeted bonuses. Consider playing as a Redguard if you feel like trying out different playstyles right from the start. But then don't expect to have excessive talent for any task.

Method 2 of 2: Pay attention to other factors

1. Know which character skills are the most powerful. If you have difficulty deciding, it may be helpful for you to choose a breed whose skills will remain strong throughout the game. Here are a few skills that will still come in handy when you level up as an adventurer:
   • The Orcs' berserker ability and Breton resistance to magic are probably the most powerful and versatile options.
   • The Imperial and Nord's capabilities remain unique and effective, albeit somewhat limited.
2. Think about what's useful. Some abilities are not that powerful but can be used often enough to save you a significant amount of time that would otherwise be used for preparation and healing. For example, the Dark Elf's resistance to fire turns out to be more useful than most other breed resistances. The Wood Elf's poison and disease resistance is not necessary at all, but it will save you time. Time that you would otherwise have to spend on temple visits and making, buying, and drinking all kinds of antidotes and other potions. (Redguards and Argonians both get 1/2 of this ability.)
   • While it may sound like the Argonians 'ability to breathe underwater and Khajiits' ability to see at night allow for unique ways of discovery, it turns out that these skills are useful only in rare circumstances.
3. Don't rate character skills higher than they are. Your race's skill bonuses and abilities will come in handy for a low-level character, making some playstyles much easier than others. Either way, as you practice skills and earn perks, it will matter less and less which race you choose. In general, once you've narrowed down your choice to a few options, there's little wrong with choosing a race based on what you like visually or as a storyline.
4. Choose the gender of your character. Your character's gender has only a slight influence on the gameplay. Some quests and perks grant bonuses for interactions with the opposite sex, such as cheaper retail prices or greater damage. Female characters are said to move just a bit slower, but this is hard to notice. Romance and wedding options are unaffected by gender.
5. Think about the story or the dialogue. Your character's race and gender will change the NPC dialogue, but this rarely changes the fundamental part of a quest or conversation. Unless you've played other Elder Scrolls games and have an idea of ​​what kind of race you'd like to be identified with, there's really no reason to choose one race over another for your first character. Of course, even new players often have a race that they prefer based on first impressions. In addition, choosing a race you like can make the game more fun.
   • If you're creating multiple characters, consider opting for a variety of races and both genders so that you have a chance to discover and explore different dialogues.
6. Understand how the "class" works. If you've played any previous Elder Scrolls games, or actually almost any other role-playing game, you may be wondering where the class option is. In Skyrim, all your skills improve as you use them. For example, if you have successfully rolled someone's pockets, your Pickpocket skill will improve. Other adjustments come through the "perks" system, but none of these improvement methods are determined by decisions made during character creation.
   • At the start of the game you will be introduced to Standing Stones. While the first ones you see have the same names as the classes (thief, wizard, or warrior), you will be able to switch between them as often as you want.
7. Think about your build. If you'd like to delve into the mechanics of Skyrim's characters, you can imagine your entire character before creating it. This is only recommended for people who are optimizing most of their gaming experience and fun, or experienced Skyrim players. Try searching online for different builds for your chosen character, or create your own build using SkyrimCalculator or the IGN Skill sBuilder.

Tips

• Some races have different names, such as Bosmer for Wood Elves. If you hear a player or NPC use a term you don't recognize, you can look it up online. There are no playable races to be "unlocked" in the game.