Best Skyrim Race for Mage Build
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you have the option of choosing between three different races for a good mage build. High Elves, Bretons, and Dark Elves are the most popular choices for players who want to play a mage character in this game.
High Elf
High Elves are the most powerful mages. They have a natural talent for magic, and they are also the most intelligent race in all of Skyrim. They have your typical pointy ears and are considered the tallest race in Skyrim. They will be more arrogant toward humans and will typically be adorned in long robes.
The High Elves of Skyrim (Also known as Altmer) top the list for the best race build for a mage in Skyrim. They start with 50 extra magicka to give you a head start on using spells. Their race power allows you to recharge your magicka very quickly once a day. High Elves also get skill bonuses for most magic skills.
A Skyrim high elf build will give you an extra +50 magicka to start and can allow the player to concentrate on health or stamina for the first few levels of skill boosts. And since the magicka regenerates quickly using spells will be no issue with the High Elves.
High Elves Race Abilities:
- Highborn – Regenerate magicka faster for 60 seconds, once a day
- Fortify Magicka: +50 increase to magicka
High Elves Starting Spells
- Flames (Destruction)
- Healing (Restoration)
- Fury (Illusion)
High Elves Skill Bonuses
- Alteration +5
- Conjuration +5
- Destruction +5
- Enchanting +5
- Illusion +10
- Restoration +5
Breton
Bretons come from the province of High Rock. They are a mixed race of elven and human races. Bretons are a good choice for mages because they have high intelligence and willpower. They also have high magicka regeneration and magicka resistance. Bretons are known for their love of magic and the ability to wield it effectively.
Bretons are a close second to being the best race to build a mage from. Their Dragonskin ability helps them absorb 50% of magicka from hostile spells for 60 seconds and a given 25% magic resistance makes them formidable for not only using magic but defending it.
Bretons Race Abilities:
- Dragonskin – Absorb 50% of magicka from enemy hostile spells for 60 seconds.
- Magic Resistance: 25% resistance from magic.
Bretons Starting Spells
- Flames (Destruction)
- Healing (Restoration)
- Conjure Familiar (Conjuration)
Bretons Skill Bonuses
- Alchemy +5
- Alteration +5
- Conjuration +10
- Illusion +10
- Restoration +5
- Speech +5
Dark Elf
Dark Elves, also known as Dunmer, are one of the best races for a mage. They have the best skill bonuses and racial power, making them an ideal choice for anyone who wants to be a powerful spellcaster.
Dark Elves’ special abilities are great for any mage to have. Their Dunmer blood gives them a 50% resistance to fire and Ancestor’s Wrath can cause fire damage to anyone who gets too close. Also, the Dunmer race starts out with 3 spells Flames, Healing, and Sparks.
Dark Elves Race Abilities:
- Ancestor’s Wrath – For 60 seconds once per day, anyone too close takes 8 points per second of fire damage.
- Resist Fire: 50% Fire Resistance
Dark Elves Starting Spells
- Flames (Destruction)
- Healing (Restoration)
- Sparks (Destruction)
Dark Elves Skill Bonuses
- Alteration +5
- Alchemy +5
- Destruction +10
- Illusion +5
- Light Armor +5
- Sneak +5
Argonian
Argonians could also be considered to start a build as a mage in Skyrim. Although you normally wouldn’t associate Argonians with the mage class their class offers several benefits to make them a good wizard.
The Argonian race gets a few skill bonuses that could give you a head start on a mage build. They get bonuses in Alteration and Restoration.
Argonians Race Abilities:
- Histskin – Can recover health 10x faster for 60 seconds once a day.
- Resist Disease: 50% Disease Resistance
- Water Breathing: Argonians can breathe underwater
Argonians Starting Spells
- Flames (Destruction)
- Healing (Restoration)
Argonians Skill Bonuses
- Alteration +5
- Light Armor +5
- Lock Picking +10
- Pickpocket +5
- Restoration +5
- Sneak +5
What is the best race for magic in Skyrim?
If you are going to be a mage, you will probably want to choose High Elves, Bretons, or Dark Elves. They are the best Skyrim race for magic because they have high magic skills and can use spells at the beginning of the game that other races must learn. And please don’t confuse Wood Elves as a good class for magic. They are more suited for Archery/Stealth builds.
Most races in Skyrim can be suited to any play style. But the races above provide you with the best head start and can make the beginning stages of the game much easier for a magic build.
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