I thought of this question after asking Karver about some Dunmer lore, and he mentioned that the Dunmer were one of his three favorite races, and I realized I maybe one fo the few people on here, who don't have a favorite race. So I was wondering what is your favorite race or races and why?
Hmm, I'll cover this from a couple of different points of view because there are different definitions of which one is my favourite.
Gameplay (Morrowind) - In Morroiwnd I loved playing as a Bosmer, regardless of the fact that they weren't many good Bosmer Characters I really loved the +15 to Marksman that they had, it made it much easier to start as an Archer (which was my fav class).
Gameplay (Oblivion) - Obviouly Altmer, there was no raise that was anywhere near as cool (weaknesses and strengths make an Altmer great), and I loved having that major weakness to all types of Magic.
Gameplay (Skyrim) - Orcs. Enough said, end of sentence, etc.
Lore/RP: Honestly, above all I really love the Altmer with Dunmer coming in at a close second. The history and religion of the Altmer is incredibly interesting t me, and I think that the intereting distinctions between their gods and the human gods (Akatosh vs. Auri-el for instance) is really interesting to me. The Dunmer have Vivec, so that's really enough for anyone.
I don't really have to say it do I? :P
Ok, I'll list em in order.
1. Dunmer - By far my favourite race, no others even come close. They have the most fleshed out culture in ES and it actually feels ancient and unique.
2. Khajiit - Same as above but to a lesser degree since they haven't had a game but they have so much potential.
3. Redguards - I love Yokudan philosophies and view on cosmology. It gets bonus points for not just being a copy and paste of other views on relgion.
4. Orsimer - I love their arcitecture and how they are so widespread so that each Orc culture has a slightly diferent view.
5. Everybody else.
6. Nords.
It isn't a coincidence that my favourite fantasy game races of all time are the Dunmer, Khajiit and Quanari. The reason is Dune.
Nords are by far my favorite race (in Skyrim at least - I tend to play the native characters for TES games).
Gollum said:I like High Elves the most. They brag about being superior, but it's okay because they actually are. They are the best spellcasters in Tamriel, they have the longest natural life span, and they are going to take over all of Tamriel's provinces.
Except blackmarsh cause its the place were the actually most superior race dwells. And it's dangerous n' stuff
It's gotta be the Khajiit for me. You can tell from reading the lore that the devs were having a right laugh making them, which results in me enjoying them even more. With the proud Altmer, savage Orcs and alien Argonians, it's refreshing to have a race that doesn't take itself too seriously. And what can beat playing as a tiger or snow leopard?
For me the Nord's have a slight advantage when it comes to lore. That nordic viking feel, their legends, and the history you learn about them in Skyrim, it's all great stuff, though I may be a bit biased. When it comes to gameplay the Almer is easily my favorite but that is entirely due to my love of playing magic wielders and the fact that Skyrim doesn't have a hieght slider.
SoulLess said:Gollum said:I like High Elves the most. They brag about being superior, but it's okay because they actually are. They are the best spellcasters in Tamriel, they have the longest natural life span, and they are going to take over all of Tamriel's provinces.
Except blackmarsh cause its the place were the actually most superior race dwells. And it's dangerous n' stuff
Argonians are in my top 3 along with Orcs. Black Marsh does seem to only be able to support Argonian life, though.
I really, really love the Khjaiit. I love cats in genearal, so I fell in love with thier aesthatic the day I first played Skyrim. Then I got into Skyrim more, and loved the Khajiit even more. My first charater was a thief, and the Khajiit race fit that perfectly. Skyrim was easy enough on normal that I didn't need any racial powers, so I enjoyed the Night Vision for its non-combat purposes, and for its fitting roleplay as a thief. And of course, Punchcat. Still love that build. But then, then I got into the lore. I really enjoy the lunar theme throughout all Khajiit culture, and how it influences birth. All the sub-races are so diffrent they provide a wealth of variaty for story making and lore/character backstory in general. And I like the climate of thier land, at least how it was described. Trees and deserts are my thing in games. Oh, and their way of naming and speaking is so unique, everything else feels flat. And did I mention Punchcat?
I love all the elven and beast races, yet not so much with the human races. They kind of bore me a little. Though, my favourite race has to be the Dunmer, for notalgia reasons (as they were the race of my first and most favourite skyrim character, having not played any of the previus elderscrolls titles until skyrim came out) and their appearance, culture and history are just so darn cool!
Gollum said:SoulLess said:Gollum said:I like High Elves the most. They brag about being superior, but it's okay because they actually are. They are the best spellcasters in Tamriel, they have the longest natural life span, and they are going to take over all of Tamriel's provinces.
Except blackmarsh cause its the place were the actually most superior race dwells. And it's dangerous n' stuff
Argonians are in my top 3 along with Orcs. Black Marsh does seem to only be able to support Argonian life, though.
Yes, that was what i ment. Even if we wouldn't talk about a race that probably got the closest to invading oblivion, they live in a dangerous, deadly, unhospitable swamp-thingy.
Hmmm, this is a tough question, but I would say the Argonians win out for me. Ironically I've only ever played ONE Argonian playthorgh, BUT I LOVED IT! Awesome aesthetic, culture, religion, and amazing fighters! I mean they freaking INVADED Mehrunes Dagon during the Oblivion Crises.Badass! But I like all the races.
Altmer and Nords. And I love mixing them up and watching them react to each other. I love the eons of history between the two and the fundamental conflict. :D I love Altmer that act like Nords (Henantier the Outsider) and Nords that act like Altmer (Shalidor). The fascination is watching them play off each other. They are like a volitile couple with great chemistry. :P
I do not dislike any race though. Orcs, Dunmer, and Khajiit are interesting to me as well. My lack of interest in the others is not because they are boring, but purely because of my own ignorance on their histories and lore. I know enough about each, however, to have a basic appreciation. I have played all of them.
My favorite races would be Dunmer, Altmer and Khajiit following those orders.
Dunmer because well... I think we already know why. The culture, architecture and religion. They're so diverse depending on Houses. I mean my first impression when I saw MK's artwork was... "wait, that's what they wear in Morrowind? It's so creepy yet intriguing at the same time."
I grew interested in the Altmer ever since I started making comparisons between the different Aldmeri Dominions between Eras and developed a more sypathetic view on this once-proud race. I still hate them (The Thalmor) for all the things they are currently doing to the Empire, but I can also understand why (maybe). Right now I have this crazy headcanon that the leaders of the Thalmor in the Fourth Era is a secret evil Cabal. But I'll get into that later.
Khajiit because of ...um, well... Moon-based lore, Khajiit variants, The Mane and skooma. Let's not forget about the skooma!
Snow Elves. Hey, Gelebor proves that snow elves are still a race, and technically they are ACTUALLY IMMORTAL considering Gelebor was thousands of years old, so Altmer get beat on that. And, they have magic similar to the Ayleid dawn magic, except it's sun magic. Same difference, dawn leads to sun, so no harm no foul. That is why snow elves are my favorite race.