The Elder Scrolls Online » Discussions


Favorite ESO Race

Tags: #ESO  #race  #racial not racist 
  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    Okay everyone. You all know that I have been taking a bit of a break from ESO lately. Call it what you will: MMO fatigue (yep, that's a real thing), looking ahead at what appears to be an amazing E3 this year, etc.  However, I have not yet officially stepped down as host of the group.  Recently, Paws was talking about a desire to see more discussions related to ESO rather than just hype and promotion. That being said, I'd like to start one now.

     

    As the title says, let's talk about your favorite ESO race. I can hear you now: "Now, now, Patriarch, shouldn't my favorite ESO race also be my favorite TES race?" Well not necessarily. ESO, at its core, is an MMO. MMOs are driven by classes, class abilities, and racial abilities. Unlike a single player TES game like Skyrim, the combination of these factors can make or break your build, depending on your goals for the build. As an end-game player myself, I factor these things when running difficult end-game trials such as veteran-difficulty Maw of Lorkhaj (my favorite trial!).

     

    That said, my favorite race has nothing to with my build goals. In single player games, I like Dunmer, Nord, and Imperial. However, in DESPISE Nords in ESO - the way they are presented, their racial abilities, just about everything about them, except maybe the more "mystical" vibe I perceive when questing in The Rift and in Eastmarch. I kinda like mystical stuff.  I like Imperials in ESO, but they are not my favorite for two reasons: 1) you have to pay to unlock them - booo!; and 2) I hate that they actively deal with Daedra and the Worm Cult. I literally get depressed while walking around Imperial City, seeing the destruction and overhearing Imperial NPC conversations. My depression is quickly relieved, however, by killing said NPCs as well as any wandering player from an opposing faction (tel var stones, ftw!) LOL.

     

    So, my favorite race in ESO is Dunmer. When I first stepped foot in Stonefalls, I was in love with the the vibe and the quest line. Brothers of Strife, come on, what's not to love! I loved it even more in Deshaan - arguably one of the prettiest zones in Tamriel. Dunmer as a people are very diverse in attitude and beliefs and their lore history is facinating. From their origins as Chimer, they have always been the type: "We know we're better than you. We don't really care what you do with your life or homeland. We don't care enough about you to flaunt it. But we can work together when necessary." Although I still prefer Boethia, Mephala, and Azura over the Tribunal, the living gods are awesome as well. Alma is a hottie, Vivec is just plain awesome in the Morrowind chapter, and Sotha Sil is most confusing and amazing at the same time (thank you, Clockwork City!).

    Dunmer also happens to be the perfect race for my favorite, close-to-my-heart class: magicka dragonknight. 

     

    So, what is your favorite race in ESO? Why?

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    I do agree that there is a significant difference between liking a race in ESO to liking races in the wider Elder Scrolls

    I've not realy delved into all the races all that much...YET... So far I'm really loving the Khajiit, the passives really help, and particularly if you go the medium armour route. It really plays into building a sneaky, thiefy, fast-moving dude. The only thing with Khajiit is that you get Khenarthis Roost and a bit of Reapers March, and apart from that you don't yet get to delive into Elesweyr. Hopefully that will be addressed in a later DLC.

    I do like Dunmer as well - and this time you DO get a fair bit of Dunmer lands to quest around in, with even more added of course by Morrowind.

    A case in point - I'm not a fan at all of Orcs in Skyrim or Oblivion. But because you can make an Orc in ESO, and very quickly hop off the Orsinium - straight away if you choose to, then it's much more interesting. You've got all the lore, history, culture and quests to become fully immersed. I've found it much more interesting to be an Orc in ESO than I ever have done previously

    I suppose the race that really gets the short shrift in ESO is Imperial. Less easy to access in the first place, and your homeland overrrun by the whole PVP thing!

    I'm looking forward to making a haughty Altmer and taking a really in-depth tour of Summerset.

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    Great points, Paul.

     

    I agree with you about Orcs and Khajiit. For Orcs, Orsinium is such a great DLC. I enjoyed experiencing their culture and lore, especially as it pertains to the whole Trinimac vs. Malacath issue. The questline was very compelling all the way through to the end.

     

    As for Khajiit, it was so refreshing to see them portrayed as more that thieves and skooma dealers (although there is plenty of that, too). On the contrary, they are a hardy, noble, warrior race. I especially enjoyed the AD questline as it pertained to the Mane. Good stuff. Plus, their critical damage output is really strong if built properly.

     

    Then again, any racial portrayal in a single player TES game is by design colored by the attitudes of the prevailing culture in the game. The Nords of Skyrim see themselves as proud warriors, while Khajiit (due to their innate abilities) are nothing more than thieves. Imperials are seen as faithless cowards, despite being among the best tacticians and governors. Etc. Etc. 

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    By Azura! Dunmer is my favorite race in ESO. I love everything in their culture and all. They're close my heart since I played ol' Morrowind. I adore the Stonefalls and Deshaan; so beautiful areas. Sometimes I have to stop and gaze around Devon's watch just to admire how it all looks. In other times, I stop to observer other player's characters if they are Dunmer. What? I'm curious and different character designs interest me. I have 2 Dunmer darlings at the moment.

    I also like The Nords and Bretons (I have one of each). Breton lands comes after the Dunmer areas, because I also love medieval stuff. ESO brought me to Breton when I was doing that Litany of Blood quest for DB. Before it I didn't know about Bretons so much. When I came to one Breton town I was like "Wow, they have castles and everything!" Then I knew I had to make a Breton character too. xD Bretons are so tiny! :D

    I wish they'd made Orcs better though. They look like more neater in ESO than in Skyrim. :P One day I'm heading to Orsinium with my Orc, too.

    Currently I'm liking Khajiit, but I don't know much of them to say anything than they're cute!

     

    Last race I'd ever play is Imperial. For some reason, I've always disliked them. I can't explain that.

     

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    I used to regard Wood Elves as a real bore until playing as one in ESO. Their representation in the game is well done - I particularly liked seeing their relations with the Dominion - and the architecture was stunning. The whole "one with nature" aspect, which was what initially turned me off, has managed to grow on me (Best word choice yet). 

    On a side note, Dunmer is only your favorite because you're a tryhard scrub that can't touch my proc sets. Get good, scrub. 

  • Member
    May 3, 2018
    Only a scrub needs a proc set, bro. Let's compare AP. Lololol :P
  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    Rogue said:

    I used to regard Wood Elves as a real bore until playing as one in ESO. Their representation in the game is well done - I particularly liked seeing their relations with the Dominion - and the architecture was stunning. The whole "one with nature" aspect, which was what initially turned me off, has managed to grow on me (Best word choice yet). 

    On a side note, Dunmer is only your favorite because you're a tryhard scrub that can't touch my proc sets. Get good, scrub. 

    Who would have thought that you'd come to like Wood Elves. I agree, though, the architecture is quite awesome. I wish the land itself was a bit more "woodsy" than is presented but that could be my lore bias coloring my views.

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    Patriarch said: Only a scrub needs a proc set, bro. Let's compare AP. Lololol :P

    iTs nOT oP IF ItS In ThE gAMe

    Patriarch said:

    Rogue said:

    I used to regard Wood Elves as a real bore until playing as one in ESO. Their representation in the game is well done - I particularly liked seeing their relations with the Dominion - and the architecture was stunning. The whole "one with nature" aspect, which was what initially turned me off, has managed to grow on me (Best word choice yet). 

    On a side note, Dunmer is only your favorite because you're a tryhard scrub that can't touch my proc sets. Get good, scrub. 

    Who would have thought that you'd come to like Wood Elves. I agree, though, the architecture is quite awesome. I wish the land itself was a bit more "woodsy" than is presented but that could be my lore bias coloring my views.

    Right? I agree - it would look a bit better if the scenery was more woodlandish. Still, better than Skyrim and the Rift. Lol

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    Also, nice hashtags. 

     

  • Member
    May 3, 2018

    Rogue said:

    Also, nice hashtags. 

     

     

    Of all people, I knew you'd pick up on that. lol.