Lore-friendly race choices for all classes (post Elsweyr)

HelathAndrethi

There are already lots of guides telling new players about race/class combinations, but I find most of them are from pure combat perspective without considering TES lore or roleplay. So I feel like writing something about this for n'wah friends who care about lore-friendly class choices for their toons and/or roleplaying, without sacrificing race/class synergy for effective builds. I put this in the Lore section coz I think this would benefit lore lovers more, hardcore players who care more about min-maxing already have Fextralife guides etc..

The following are based on the race changes from Wrathstone update.

1.Dragonknight

Official description: "These skillful masters-at-arms use the ancient Akaviri martial tradition of battle-spirit, and wield fearsome magic that pounds, shatters and physically alters the world around them."

Dragonknight is probably the closest thing to a "warrior" class in ESO. The Akaviri are known for their martial prowess, being renowned dragon hunters and founders of the Dragonguard (which evolved into the later Blades). They invaded Tamriel several times and played important roles in the formation of the Second Empire and the Ebonheart Pact. The past TES titles depicted them as wearing heavy armor and wielding katanas and shields. These fall in line with what DKs do best in ESO: sword-and-board tanking. The skills in the DKs's arsenal complements this fighting style especially with Earthen Heart and Draconic Warrior abilities utilizing Alteration-like spells to boost up defense.

The DPS skills of DK, mainly in the Ardent Flame tree, are flame-based Destruction magic that fit better with magicka-based races (with some poison-based morphs to enable stamina DPS builds but there are fewer of these). No idea if the Akaviri knew about Balrogs in an even more distant land...

Recommended races:

Stamina (tank): Nord, Imperial
These races fought or were once ruled by the Akaviri so it'd make sense some of them picked up the Akaviri fighting style. Nords and Imperials also seem to fit better with the Dragon Warrior theme given their history with Dragons, Dragonfire, Dragonborn etc.. Gameplay wise they're the two races that clearly work better as tanks.
(I'd also like to give Argonians an Honorable Mention here even if they seem like tree huggers in lore. They fought the Akaviri too, they excel as tanks, and they kinda look like little dragons when you use Draconic Power skills.)

Magicka (DPS/healer), Stamina DPS: Dunmer
Dark Elves do sit better with using all those fire, ash and lava to melt their enemies (or cauterize their wounds) as if they're ash spawns from their Red Mountain (another example, Ancestor's Wrath racial power in Skyrim is simply a flame cloak). They used to have flame damage boost from racial passives making this choice even more obvious. Now they've been changed to getting resource and damage buff to both magicka and stamina builds. Flame, poison or blades? Take your pick f'lah.

2.Templar

Official description: "These traveling knights call upon the powers of light and the burning sun to deal massive damage to their enemies while restoring health, magicka, and stamina to their allies."

Templars are paladin-like warriors and/or mages who wield Aedric light magic to chastise their foes and support their allies. Their skills are mostly from the Restoration school including some offensive spells (a few also appeared in Skyrim), which are commonly used by priests to the divines. Hence it'd make a bit more sense if a templar comes from an Aedra-worshipping race. Templar is one of the most versatile classes in game, it's also easy to play for beginners (especially Magplar). See, Restoration is a perfectly valid school of magic!

Recommended races:

Magicka (healer/DPS): Breton, Altmer
Bretons and Altmer both worship (their own version of) the divines and have natural affinity to magic. From both lore and gameplay perspectives, Bretons lean towards being healers with their magical defense and sustain, while High Elves are better at casting spells to deal damage. I put Bretons in front because healing is the biggest class characteristics for templars.

Stamina(DPS/tank): Imperial, Redguard
Also Aedra worshippers (with orders of holy warriors and religious crusades in their history), Redguards and Imperials both have high stamina pool and sustain combined with good survivability, making them good tanks and damage dealers.

3. Sorcerer

Official description: "Sorcerers can use conjuration and destruction spells to hurl lightning bolts and create shock fields, wield dark magic to snare and stun, and summon Daedric combat followers from Oblivion to assist them."

These are pretty much our typical Destruction and Conjuration mages found almost everywhere in TES games. Magicka races rely on shock spells and conjured minions to kill and heal while using wards and minions to eat damage (Pet MagSorc is one of the easiest solo classes). Stamina races play like spellswords with their magically buffed weapons and armor.

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Altmer, Breton
High elves love to prove their racial supremacy by blasting their enemies into Oblivion (they may frown upon conjuring daedra though). Bretons on the other hand are adept conjurers and ward casters as shown in previous TES games and Legends. I put Altmer in front due to Magsorc better suited for DPS.

Stamina (DPS/tank): Redguard, Imperial
Many renowned battlemages in TES lore hail from Hammerfell and Cyrodiil. Gameplay reason is the same as the above said Stamplar.

4. Nightblade

Official description: "Nightblades are adventurers and opportunists with a gift for getting in and out of trouble. Relying variously on stealth, blades, and speed, Nightblades thrive on conflict and misfortune, trusting to their luck and cunning to survive."

Nightblade class corresponds to the sneaky, roguish play style of assassins and thieves, using Shadow (illusion?) magic to surprise and survive. It also has some siphoning spells for healing and support, which has good theme and gameplay synergy if you play a vampire (especially on a Magblade). Nightblade has been one of the highest DPS classes (both mag and stam) and the BiS class for PvE thieves and PvP gankers, though it would take some time to master.

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Dunmer, Khajiit
Dark Elves founded the two most (in)famous assassins guilds in Tamrielic history; they're also a good race for vampires with their flame resistance (and "vampiric" looks ). Khajiits are the go-to race for thieves with their pickpocket and sneak bonus. These two are now the jack-of-all-trades races after Wrathstone update so they're equally viable for any build.

Stamina (DPS/tank): Khajiit, Dunmer
[Clemency] "Khajiit stole nothing!"

5. Warden

Official description: "Wardens are defenders of the Green, master storytellers whose nature tales become magical reality. They wield frost spells against enemies and summon animals to aid them."

The Druids' equivalent in ESO, wardens command the nature to do their bidding, be it overwhelming their opponents with animal attacks or healing their wounds. They can also cast frost spells mainly for defense and support. Thus races that have a bond with their natural habitat would fit better as warden. Warden (especially stamina variant) is yet another very versatile class with tools for damage, healing and tanking in one package, it even has a pet for both magicka and stamina builds.

Recommended races:

Magicka (healer/tank/DPS):Argonian
As children of the Hist, the Saxhleel have thrived in the Black Marsh on their rich knowledge of and the special connection to their marshland home. Argonians are also potent spell casters with big magicka pool and big heals for excellent healer builds, and great tri-stat sustain for tanks as long as you drink potions.

Stamina (DPS/tank/healer): Bosmer
Defenders of the Green, Spinners, animals... The class description pretty much yells Bosmer. While a great DPS and tank class, interestingly stamina warden is also the only competent stamina healer class. The stamina pool and stamina sustain enable Wood Elves for all these roles.

6. Necromancer

Official description: "Masters of Death, Necromancers can call upon corpses to serve as undead thralls and weave ghastly spells to both harm and heal. (WARNING: Using certain Necromancer abilities in town is a criminal act. Citizens and Guards will react accordingly.)"

Necromancy as a branch of Conjuration is practiced by mages all across Tamriel, although races and organizations differ in their tolerance of such practice. Choosing a lore-friendly race for necromancers may or may not be a little tricky, depending on whether you'd like to make a toon living at relative peace with their neighbors or you simply don't give a damn about weaklings. Necromancers have skill lines each dedicated to a role similar to wardens, allowing for flexibility in builds.

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Breton, Altmer
High Rock and Summerset Isles generally dislike necromancy, but magically inclined races such as these certainly don't lack powerful necromancers. Bretons have Gravesingers such as Angof and distant relatives in the Reach who produce Briarhearts. As for High Elves, the whole necromancy discipline started with a certain mer we meet very early in the main quest (an unpleasant meeting for sure).

Stamina (DPS/tank): Orc, Imperial
These races are relatively forgiving when it comes to necromancy. Orcs are the "survival of the strongest" type not caring too much about the source of power, as seen in the likes of Zumog Phoom and Thukhozod. Imperials didn't even declare necromancy illegal throughout much of their history.


Thank you for reading my two cents on the lore-friendly race/class combos. These are just a general suggestion trying to balance combat and immersion for fellow travelers, and not in any way definitive. Playing a TES game is all about roleplay freedom and maximum possibilities! Besides, we can usually find something in the lore to justify any race for any build. Feel free to share your thoughts!

Aliyavana

I'd put dragonknight as lore friendly under khajiit, seeing the akaviri influences within elsweyr and how much of a presence we learned the ancient dragonguard had in the province.

Bretons make perfect wardens if you consider bretons to fit the druid architype. The Bretons were said to be descended from the Druids of Galen in Arena.

Veesk

4. Nightblade

Official description: "Nightblades are adventurers and opportunists with a gift for getting in and out of trouble. Relying variously on stealth, blades, and speed, Nightblades thrive on conflict and misfortune, trusting to their luck and cunning to survive."

Nightblade class corresponds to the sneaky, roguish play style of assassins and thieves, using Shadow (illusion?) magic to surprise and survive. It also has some siphoning spells for healing and support, which has good theme and gameplay synergy if you play a vampire (especially on a Magblade). Nightblade has been one of the highest DPS classes (both mag and stam) and the BiS class for PvE thieves and PvP gankers, though it would take some time to master.

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Dunmer, Khajiit
Dark Elves founded the two most (in)famous assassins guilds in Tamrielic history; they're also a good race for vampires with their flame resistance (and "vampiric" looks ). Khajiits are the go-to race for thieves with their pickpocket and sneak bonus. These two are now the jack-of-all-trades races after Wrathstone update so they're equally viable for any build.

Stamina (DPS/tank): Khajiit, Dunmer
[Clemency] "Khajiit stole nothing!"

I've always thought Nightblades, both magicka and stam, also support lore friendly for Argonians because of Shadowscales.

Shadowscales are Argonians born under the sign of The Shadow in Black Marsh. They are trained from childhood in the art of stealth and combat. Shadowscales serve their province as assassins.

Aigym_Hlervu

Well, here are my two cents with no changes to your own chosen description there :
Dragonknights - House Redoran and all House guards;
Templars - House Indoril and the Temple;
Sorcerers - House Telvanni;
Nightblades - House Hlaalu and House Redoran (Buoyant Armigers);
Wardens - Ashlanders;
Necromancers - House Telvanni and House Dagoth.

No matter what class you choose the Houses are welcoming all of them. Recommended race: Dunmer.

HelathAndrethi

Aliyavana wrote: »

I'd put dragonknight as lore friendly under khajiit, seeing the akaviri influences within elsweyr and how much of a presence we learned the ancient dragonguard had in the province.

Very good point! Guess it'll fit even better after Dragonhold release, and that Khajiits can tank now.

ArcaneFeathers wrote: »

I've always thought Nightblades, both magicka and stam, also support lore friendly for Argonians because of Shadowscales.

Shadowscales are Argonians born under the sign of The Shadow in Black Marsh. They are trained from childhood in the art of stealth and combat. Shadowscales serve their province as assassins.

Yep crossed my mind too, probably better for magblade but the potion buff indeed gives them an edge for anything.

Cygemai_Hlervu wrote: »

Well, here are my two cents with no changes to your own chosen description there :
Dragonknights - House Redoran and all House guards;
Templars - House Indoril and the Temple;
Sorcerers - House Telvanni;
Nightblades - House Hlaalu and House Redoran (Buoyant Armigers);
Wardens - Ashlanders;
Necromancers - House Telvanni and House Dagoth.

No matter what class you choose the Houses are welcoming all of them. Recommended race: Dunmer.

Also Morag Tong or DB for NB. Gosh everything fits Dunmer now.
Dunmer > Outlander confirmed

Aigym_Hlervu

HelathAndrethi wrote: »

Also Morag Tong or DB for NB. Gosh everything fits Dunmer now.
Dunmer > Outlander confirmed

Oh, by the way: if MK's source on the fall of Ald'Ruhn is ever considered canon (and according to Todd Howard's Pax East 2019 interview I think it is canon while the upper stages of canon sources such as in-game rumors, books, the events displayed on the screen and others do not contradict it) then the Redorans also have very capable mages especially the Necromancers - they've resurrected Skar that Emperor Crab there after all! In truth there are no class restrictions to enter the Great Houses, so there's so much freedom to use the abilities of a class one plays in service to any Great House a player might wish.

gepe87

HelathAndrethi wrote: »

3. Sorcerer

Official description: "Sorcerers can use conjuration and destruction spells to hurl lightning bolts and create shock fields, wield dark magic to snare and stun, and summon Daedric combat followers from Oblivion to assist them."

These are pretty much our typical Destruction and Conjuration mages found almost everywhere in TES games. Magicka races rely on shock spells and conjured minions to kill and heal while using wards and minions to eat damage (Pet MagSorc is one of the easiest solo classes). Stamina races play like spellswords with their magically buffed weapons and armor.

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Altmer, Breton
High elves love to prove their racial supremacy by blasting their enemies into Oblivion (they may frown upon conjuring daedra though). Bretons on the other hand are adept conjurers and ward casters as shown in previous TES games and Legends. I put Altmer in front due to Magsorc better suited for DPS.

One note: Altmer reject any kind of Daedric interference or support (I see them, lore wise, as templars because they have aedric power).

Altmeri sorcerers could in fact use Daedric Summoning but they would refuse it due to Altmeri etics. They could use only Dark and Shock Magic instead.

Any race would fit the complete Sorcerer role as long they are binded to a Daedric Cult. Same apllies to Telvanni: by Dunmeri theology (only Tribunal) they refuse any Daedric assistance, but we know that Power is above everything else for this house.

Aigym_Hlervu

gepe87 wrote: »

... by Dunmeri theology (only Tribunal) they refuse any Daedric assistance, but we know that Power is above everything else for this house.

Just a little correction to this part, @gepe87. According to the Darkest Darkness in Morrowind, both worshippers and sorcerers summon lesser Daedra and bound Daedra as servants and instruments. The Tribunal Temple has incorporated the veneration of Daedra as lesser spirits subservient to the Almsivi. The book contains detailed description on types of lesser daedra we summon and the ways we do that.

A very good book. So not only our esteemed Telvanni mages use Daedric assistance due to their hunger for Power but also every Dunmer capable in magicka may use it freely if only that Daedric assistance is not based on complex Daedric rites of communion in the vicinity of Vivec City because those are forbidden by the Ordinator Edict Mandate Sixteen. So it is a bit untrue that we refuse any Daedric assistance and value Power above everything else.

Aptonoth

Not being lore friendly Nightblade when Argonians have Shadowscales. Ugh I hate Argonians don't have a dps option.

HelathAndrethi

gepe87 wrote: »

One note: Altmer reject any kind of Daedric interference or support (I see them, lore wise, as templars because they have aedric power).

Altmeri sorcerers could in fact use Daedric Summoning but they would refuse it due to Altmeri etics. They could use only Dark and Shock Magic instead.

My concern exactly, Altmer are Destruction experts but they generally abhor daedra. So non-pet magsorc works better for Altmer and pet sorc for Bretons.

Cygemai_Hlervu wrote: »

gepe87 wrote: »

... by Dunmeri theology (only Tribunal) they refuse any Daedric assistance, but we know that Power is above everything else for this house.

Just a little correction to this part, @gepe87. According to the Darkest Darkness in Morrowind, both worshippers and sorcerers summon lesser Daedra and bound Daedra as servants and instruments. The Tribunal Temple has incorporated the veneration of Daedra as lesser spirits subservient to the Almsivi. The book contains detailed description on types of lesser daedra we summon and the ways we do that.

A very good book. So not only our esteemed Telvanni mages use Daedric assistance due to their hunger for Power but also every Dunmer capable in magicka may use it freely if only that Daedric assistance is not based on complex Daedric rites of communion in the vicinity of Vivec City because those are forbidden by the Ordinator Edict Mandate Sixteen. So it is a bit untrue that we refuse any Daedric assistance and value Power above everything else.

The book even directly mentioned Winged Twilight and Clannfear falling under the above said lesser daedra. In game description of Summon Winged Twilight also says "Call on Azura to send a winged twilight to fight at your side." Afaik only Dunmer, Bretons and Khajiit have open Azura worship in ESO, though we do have Altmer worshipers like Culanwe in Grahtwood.

Ajaxandriel

I started this some years ago, here (in french, if an auto-translate would work) :

https://triskelion.forumgaming.fr/t203-les-classes-et-leur-interpretation

It's more precise about techniques and skill lines, race by race, so I haven't finished yet.

My goal would be to get at least one in-game official "generic NPC" type for each race/class match.

HelathAndrethi

Ajaxandriel wrote: »

I started this some years ago, here (in french, if an auto-translate would work) :

https://triskelion.forumgaming.fr/t203-les-classes-et-leur-interpretation

It's more precise about techniques and skill lines, race by race, so I haven't finished yet.

My goal would be to get at least one in-game official "generic NPC" type for each race/class match.

Just read through it, gosh that's a lot of work, c'est très intéressante! (My French is horrible but i could get the main ideas lol)

Your NPC-class match idea is very doable if it's just some typical NPC per race OR per class/build. Finding one from each race for every class though sounds like a difficult undertaking, some race/class combinations are hard to find or even justify. If ESO alone doesn't suffice I guess you can use the entire TES franchise as reference.

Ajaxandriel

It'll be hard research you're right, but I'm sure there's at least one appearance of each combination! Look, for example (easy one) all the city guards are "dragonknights" by looking at their skills. This doesn't mean these NPCs were all trained by akaviri blademasters or cyrodilian blades, but anyway their skills "match" the "dragonknight class" classification. So one could roleplay a city guard by taking the class.

In fact by looking at their skill "colors", each humanoid generic NPC match one playable class now we got Wardens and Necromancers, I can't really see a NPC type that doesn't fit at all.
The bosses are a bit different of course, while some skills of theirs can be interpreted from a playable class (Kurog as a dragonknight, Drodda as a warden, and so on) some other skills are left ... for futur classes maybe ^^

Aelorin

I really can not make a Nord Dragonknight. For me the flames + the Nord just do not go together. Natural Dragonknights to me are Dunmer and Redguard.

Also, the Dunmer worship their ancestors, but I do not think they would mind to summon a ghost from another race. I think they can be great necromancers as well (The power hungry Telvanni type - at least I made one)

HelathAndrethi

Ajaxandriel wrote: »

It'll be hard research you're right, but I'm sure there's at least one appearance of each combination! Look, for example (easy one) all the city guards are "dragonknights" by looking at their skills. This doesn't mean these NPCs were all trained by akaviri blademasters or cyrodilian blades, but anyway their skills "match" the "dragonknight class" classification. So one could roleplay a city guard by taking the class.

In fact by looking at their skill "colors", each humanoid generic NPC match one playable class now we got Wardens and Necromancers, I can't really see a NPC type that doesn't fit at all.
The bosses are a bit different of course, while some skills of theirs can be interpreted from a playable class (Kurog as a dragonknight, Drodda as a warden, and so on) some other skills are left ... for futur classes maybe ^^

Oh my bad i thought you meant named NPCs, if all NPCs are considered by their combat skills i agree this is fully feasible.

Aelorin wrote: »

I really can not make a Nord Dragonknight. For me the flames + the Nord just do not go together. Natural Dragonknights to me are Dunmer and Redguard.

Also, the Dunmer worship their ancestors, but I do not think they would mind to summon a ghost from another race. I think they can be great necromancers as well (The power hungry Telvanni type - at least I made one)

I made a Dunmer DK for similar reason and for build versatility. However I tried to find a home for every race balancing roleplay and actual gameplay, and it's hard to find a class choice for Nords since they're a tank race and prefer physical weapons over any type of magic. StamDK tanks use Sword and Board and mainly Earthen Heart and Draconic Power skills rather than Ardent Flame, so Nord DK tanks don't really use flames.

Like @Cygemai_Hlervu said Dunmer can fit into any class and build including Mag/Stam Necro. I didn't list Dunmer as top cuz there are better options and Dunmer in general don't like necromancy.

2Weenies

When it comes to classes, I typically use them more as... "bases," if you will.

For example, one character I had loooooong ago (before I went ham and deleted him because I'm incredibly picky) was a Nord Dragon Knight. He wasn't an actual Dragon Knight, per se, but using its abilities, I sort of made him a fire-based Dragon Priest, since his whole shtick was being a remnant Dragon Cultist. Not a very good one, but a Dragon Cultist nonetheless.

You can make practically any class work with any race lore-wise, if you can come up with a pretty decent explanation and specialization. A Dragon Knight High Elf could be a violent pyromancer, a Templar Redguard could be an Ash'abah, and a Necromancer Argonian could be a Veeskhleel-Tzel. Some things might not work as well, such as a Khajiiti Warden (not typically associated with Vvardenfell fauna, the Green, or cryomancy).

HelathAndrethi

2Weenies wrote: »

When it comes to classes, I typically use them more as... "bases," if you will.

For example, one character I had loooooong ago (before I went ham and deleted him because I'm incredibly picky) was a Nord Dragon Knight. He wasn't an actual Dragon Knight, per se, but using its abilities, I sort of made him a fire-based Dragon Priest, since his whole shtick was being a remnant Dragon Cultist. Not a very good one, but a Dragon Cultist nonetheless.

You can make practically any class work with any race lore-wise, if you can come up with a pretty decent explanation and specialization. A Dragon Knight High Elf could be a violent pyromancer, a Templar Redguard could be an Ash'abah, and a Necromancer Argonian could be a Veeskhleel-Tzel. Some things might not work as well, such as a Khajiiti Templar (not really affiliated with much of the sun stuff or Aedra) or Warden (not typically associated with Vvardenfell fauna, the Green, or cryomancy).

Khajiit do worship their version of Aedra such as Alkosh, Khenarthi etc. with temples and priests dedicated to them e.g. Sunspire, so Khajiit can totally be Templars.
Apart from this, well said! This is what makes roleplaying in the Elder Scrolls games special.

2Weenies

HelathAndrethi wrote: »

Khajiit do worship their version of Aedra such as Alkosh, Khenarthi etc. with temples and priests dedicated to them e.g. Sunspire, so Khajiit can totally be Templars.

My genius self somehow whizzed right by all that information the game literally slaps into my face. Even more shameful when my most-used character is a Vvardenfell-born Khajiit who should know his darn culture outside of Dunmeri society.

Thank you for the correction!

Deathlord92

I love playing as a Breton assassin. If you know your class you can play any race and do very well on your class.

Danikat

I'd add female breton to the list of options for warden, as they could be a Wyress from a Wyrd which worships the Ehlnofey or Jephre.

(The Wyrds devoted to Hircine are probably better known, as they appear more frequently in quests but they're not the only ones and maybe not even the majority.)

Danel_Vadan

Lore-wise, although all races can fit each class:

Dragonknight: Imperial, Orc. The Imperial Legions were organized around Akaviri battle formations, so it makes sense that the DK skill would be a part of the army. Reman made Wrothgar an Imperial province and brought the Orcs into the Empire.

Necromancer: Any outcast. Self-explanatory. Most cultures disavow necromancy, but it's prevalent (in ESO) among Redguards up to no good. Dunmer do Ancestor Worship, but as Divayth Fyr himself would say, Sorcery Is Not Necromancy!

Nightblade: Argonian, Dunmer, Imperial, Khajiit. Argonians and Dunmers have groups dedicated to the art of assassination. Khajiit are well-known thieves, and one of their deities is a shadow god. Imperials have Agents among their ranks, which operate using subterfuge. I guess Breton nightblades may be a thing, but there's not a lot of in-game references to them.

Sorcerer: Altmer, Breton, Dunmer, Imperial. Altmer and Breton are magically inclined cultures, so sorcery fits them quite well. Dunmer have some of the most powerful wizards in the Telvanni magisters. Imperials focus on the martial aspect of destruction magic with their battlemages.

Templar: Breton, Imperial. Bretons have both a magical and knightly culture. The Divine of the Imperial Legions is Stendarr, out of which a lot of Templar magic draws inspiration. I would also include Altmer since they're the closest to the Aldmer who believed that light was one of the primordal elements.

Warden: Breton, Bosmer. Bretons have the Wyrd. Bosmer serve the Green.

Some races do have certain characteristics that don't match the class descriptions, but do correspond to the skills.

Altmer: The Eyes of the Queen operate like nightblades.

Argonian: Hist magic could be represented akin to many Warden skills. The use of Vvardenfell fauna can be linked to the ties between Argonians and Dunmer.

Breton: They pretty much can easily be any class, ha!

Bosmer: Vinedusk Rangers could use nightblade-like skills. Spinners could also use templar-like skills as Spinning could be seen akin to Dawn Magic.

Dunmer: DK skills have a lot of Dunmeri flavor, from pyromancy to the Heart of Lorkhan. Templar suits Ordinators + the divine powers of the Tribunal. Armigers are described as wandering warriors, which fits templars and nIghtblades.

Imperial: Most classes except Warden--I don't see that one fitting in as well as the rest.

Nord: DKs draconic theme fits with Nordic cultural reverence of dragons. Sorcs aren't common but they exist (see Shalidor); could be worshipers of Kyne, goddess of storms, which fits both mag and stam. Warden ice skills thematically fit Nords very well.

Orc: Warden/Necro/Sorc could be an Orc Shaman-type. For warriors, other than DK, one can see the sorc stam skills as representation of fighting styles.

Redguard: Stam sorc skills can be seen as representation of fighting styles, which fit very well with Redguards. Templar skills can be a poor man's sword-singing, with Redguards trying to recreate their ancient skills under a new belief system (Stendarr).

These are just my two-cents; I spend way too much time overthinking this, haha!

HelathAndrethi

Deathlord92 wrote: »

I love playing as a Breton assassin. If you know your class you can play any race and do very well on your class.

Danikat wrote: »

I'd add female breton to the list of options for warden, as they could be a Wyress from a Wyrd which worships the Ehlnofey or Jephre.

(The Wyrds devoted to Hircine are probably better known, as they appear more frequently in quests but they're not the only ones and maybe not even the majority.)

Danel_Vadan wrote: »

Lore-wise, although all races can fit each class:

Dragonknight: Imperial, Orc. The Imperial Legions were organized around Akaviri battle formations, so it makes sense that the DK skill would be a part of the army. Reman made Wrothgar an Imperial province and brought the Orcs into the Empire.

Necromancer: Any outcast. Self-explanatory. Most cultures disavow necromancy, but it's prevalent (in ESO) among Redguards up to no good. Dunmer do Ancestor Worship, but as Divayth Fyr himself would say, Sorcery Is Not Necromancy!

Nightblade: Argonian, Dunmer, Imperial, Khajiit. Argonians and Dunmers have groups dedicated to the art of assassination. Khajiit are well-known thieves, and one of their deities is a shadow god. Imperials have Agents among their ranks, which operate using subterfuge. I guess Breton nightblades may be a thing, but there's not a lot of in-game references to them.

Sorcerer: Altmer, Breton, Dunmer, Imperial. Altmer and Breton are magically inclined cultures, so sorcery fits them quite well. Dunmer have some of the most powerful wizards in the Telvanni magisters. Imperials focus on the martial aspect of destruction magic with their battlemages.

Templar: Breton, Imperial. Bretons have both a magical and knightly culture. The Divine of the Imperial Legions is Stendarr, out of which a lot of Templar magic draws inspiration. I would also include Altmer since they're the closest to the Aldmer who believed that light was one of the primordal elements.

Warden: Breton, Bosmer. Bretons have the Wyrd. Bosmer serve the Green.

Some races do have certain characteristics that don't match the class descriptions, but do correspond to the skills.

Altmer: The Eyes of the Queen operate like nightblades.

Argonian: Hist magic could be represented akin to many Warden skills. The use of Vvardenfell fauna can be linked to the ties between Argonians and Dunmer.

Breton: They pretty much can easily be any class, ha!

Bosmer: Vinedusk Rangers could use nightblade-like skills. Spinners could also use templar-like skills as Spinning could be seen akin to Dawn Magic.

Dunmer: DK skills have a lot of Dunmeri flavor, from pyromancy to the Heart of Lorkhan. Templar suits Ordinators + the divine powers of the Tribunal. Armigers are described as wandering warriors, which fits templars and nIghtblades.

Imperial: Most classes except Warden--I don't see that one fitting in as well as the rest.

Nord: DKs draconic theme fits with Nordic cultural reverence of dragons. Sorcs aren't common but they exist (see Shalidor); could be worshipers of Kyne, goddess of storms, which fits both mag and stam. Warden ice skills thematically fit Nords very well.

Orc: Warden/Necro/Sorc could be an Orc Shaman-type. For warriors, other than DK, one can see the sorc stam skills as representation of fighting styles.

Redguard: Stam sorc skills can be seen as representation of fighting styles, which fit very well with Redguards. Templar skills can be a poor man's sword-singing, with Redguards trying to recreate their ancient skills under a new belief system (Stendarr).

These are just my two-cents; I spend way too much time overthinking this, haha!

A little more info for roleplaying as Breton nightblade: there's the DC covert operation group called the Ring of Daggers.
Bretons have indeed been one of the most versatile races in TES franchise (magical defense bonus benefits every build). Less so in ESO gameplay-wise, but it's still fine for different classes as long as you go magicka.

j3crow

"Khajiit do worship their version of Aedra such as Alkosh, Khenarthi etc. with temples and priests dedicated to them e.g. Sunspire, so Khajiit can totally be Templars.
Apart from this, well said! This is what makes roleplaying in the Elder Scrolls games special. "

I was going to make this point as well. The Khajiit have a very pronounced religious life that includes various forms of warrior-monasticism. That could certainly lend itself to paladin-y / templar-ish themes for characters. Devotees of Alkosh and S'rendar being the most obvious. You could even stretch your own head-cannon a bit and think of the Templar's light based powers being derived from moon light (which is after all, reflected sun light)

Iccotak

Argonians also have sun magic as they are also Sun worshippers soooo templars are a lore friendly class for them

Ajaxandriel

Iccotak wrote: »

Argonians also have sun magic as they are also Sun worshippers soooo templars are a lore friendly class for them

Have you found a NPC who is a sun worshipper?

Iccotak

Ajaxandriel wrote: »

Iccotak wrote: »

Argonians also have sun magic as they are also Sun worshippers soooo templars are a lore friendly class for them

Have you found a NPC who is a sun worshipper?

Besides the Argonian templar healers that you can encounter in Stonefalls that heal their young hist tree their Sun is noted as part of their culture. It is regularly referenced in the lore
Reddit post that shows a lore book talking about this
https://www.reddit.com/r/teslore/comments/281o51/earth_water_and_wind_sun_beast_and_hist/

It is also why the word "Sun" is actually common in Argonian names.
Seeks-the-Sun, Follows-the-Sun, Swallows-the-Sun, Sun-Belly, etc.

Tryxus

Dragonknight

Races: Imperial, Nord & Dunmer

The Akaviri have left quite an influence on the Imperials after their surrender to Reman, especially the Imperial Legion which learned a lot from them. And with the Akaviri beginning their invasions usually in Morrowind and Skyrim, they have left their mark on them as well.

Nightblade

Races: Bosmer, Khajiit & Argonian

Bosmer are stealthy and nimble hunters, and thievery is a part of their culture through the Rite of Theft.

Khajiit are very sleek and cunning, with a knack for illegal activities. And ofc, they have many tales and legends about the greatest thief and burglar of Elsweyr: Rahjin

Argonians are experts in guerilla warfare, and with their Shadowscale tradition they would make fine Nightblades too

Sorcerer

Races: Breton & Dunmer

I mainly pick these 2 because of the Daedric Summoning skill tree: Bretons are masters in the school of Conjuration (starting bonus in the main games), and Dunmer have had quite a Daedric influence ever since their exodus (as the Chimer). Both races are also gifted in the arcane arts, so Sorcerer is perfectly suited to them

Templar

Races: Nord & Imperial

Both these races, especially the Colovians of Cyrodiil, are known to be devout people with strong religious beliefs.

Warden

Races: Breton & Bosmer

Wardens receive their powers from Y'ffre's blessing.

The entire Bosmeri religion and way of life is centered around Y'ffre and the Green Pact, which makes them 1 of the 2 races that would be perfect for this class.

The other race is Breton: Y'ffre is also a part of their pantheon (Jephre) who is mostly venerated by the Beldama Wyrd in Glenumbra, and the Animals they summon appear to be a form of Conjuration which Bretons excel in. Nature worship also seems to be prevalent in High Rock.

(Also, the retconned Breton origin from Arena: descendants of the Druids of Galen )

Necromancer

Races: Breton

Any race would make a great Necromancer tbh but because of their bonus to Conjuration in the main games, I'm gonna go with Breton here

robertbmilesb14_ESO

What I would Add

1.Dragonknight

Recommended races:

Stamina (tank): Nord, Imperial, Dunmer, Breton (Knights of the Flame)

Magicka (DPS/healer), Stamina DPS: Dunmer, Breton (Knights of the Flame)

Bretons are great spell-swords

2.Templar

Recommended races:

Magicka (healer/DPS): Breton, Altmer, Nord, Dunmer (Buoyant Armigers/House Indoril)

Stamina(DPS/tank): Imperial, Redguard, Nord, Dunmer

Nord are also worshipers of their own divines.

3. Sorcerer

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Altmer, Breton, Dunmer

Stamina (DPS/tank): Redguard, Imperial, Altmer, Dunmer, Bretons, Khajiit

See Spell-Swords for Bretons and Almter (and main Altmer featured in the trailers). Khajiit magics seem to be more akin/coloured like the sorcerer's. Dunmer are again, magicka and versatile like the Bretons.

4. Nightblade

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Dunmer, Khajiit, Breton, Orc, Argonian

Stamina (DPS/tank): Khajiit, Dunmer, Orc, Argonian

See Malacath worshippers, they use more red. Argonian because of Sithis.

5. Warden

Recommended races:

Magicka (healer/tank/DPS):Argonian, Bosmer, Khajiit, Nord, Breton, Dunmer

Stamina (DPS/tank/healer): Bosmer, Nord, Breton, Dunmer, Argonian

One of the NPCs of the Telvanni (dunmer) actually uses Warden abilities. I believe Warden abilities are a form of alteration magic. Bretons as magicka and not stamina because of the Jephre/Wyrd connection. Nords because of Kyne and we meet shaman (old religion). Bosmer would mainly be a healer spinner IMO. Argonian for their "natural" or shamanistic culture, frost is a part of their culture we learn in a trial.

6. Necromancer

Recommended races:

Magicka (DPS/healer): Breton, (remove Altmer), Imperial, Dunmer, Khajiit, Argonian

Stamina (DPS/tank): Orc, Imperial, Dunmer, Khajiit, Argonian

Dunmer utilize necromancy and are very okay with messing with non-Dunmer corpses. Imperials don't have much issues with necromancy, neither do Khajiit. Argonians have a tribe who actually openly practice necromancy.

storm105

Redguards have a tendency to be swashbucklers and and pirates so I always felt nightblade is a pretty good fit but I rarely see this mentioned.

joseayalac

Great guide!

I like my Dunmer Sorcerer though! I think the Daedric reliance of their conjuration magic makes Dunmer a fit race for it, even if ESO happens during the time of the false tribunal.

Hlaaluna

I love my Dunmer Necromancer and lore wise I feel they work regardless of what of the Great Houses they are in... or not in. Visually the Dunmer is the most gothic looking of all the races. Raising the dead, hurling skulls and conjuring whirling tombstones, it just works.