Elder Scrolls Online: Best Race for Every Class Build

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) continues to be one of the most popular MMORPGs, blending classic Elder Scrolls lore with expansive multiplayer gameplay. One of the most important decisions players make when starting a new character is choosing a race, as each race offers distinct passive bonuses and abilities. These racial bonuses can significantly impact your playstyle and effectiveness, especially when combined with specific class builds. In this guide, we'll break down the best race for each class in 2025, covering how different races complement the roles and strengths of each class in ESO.

1. Dragonknight: Best Races

The Dragonknight class is the quintessential tank and damage dealer in ESO, capable of using fire-based magic, heavy armor, and powerful melee attacks. When choosing a race for your Dragonknight, you'll want a race that can support your role in combat while enhancing your stamina or magicka, depending on your build.

Best Races for Dragonknight Tank (Stamina-based):

Nord

Nords are an excellent choice for Dragonknight tanks due to their natural tankiness. The Resist Frost passive helps mitigate incoming damage, making Nords tougher against certain types of attacks. Furthermore, the Rallying Cry skill grants major heroism, which restores ultimate quickly, allowing you to use your most powerful abilities more often. This synergy with the Dragonknight's focus on survivability and aggression makes Nords an ideal race for a stamina-based Dragonknight tank.

Best Races for Dragonknight Damage Dealer (Magicka-based):

High Elf (Altmer)

If you are going for a Magicka-based Dragonknight, the High Elf is a top contender. Their Spell Recharge passive gives a great boost to Magicka recovery, making it easier to sustain spells during prolonged battles. Additionally, their racial passives enhance damage output with their High Elf passive, which increases your overall damage. These traits make High Elves a great choice for dealing high damage while maintaining the survivability needed for this hybrid class.

2. Nightblade: Best Races

Nightblades are stealthy assassins, known for their ability to deal high burst damage while remaining elusive. Their playstyle revolves around stamina, magicka, and stealth mechanics, meaning the right race can vastly improve their effectiveness, particularly in PvP scenarios or in dungeon raids.

Best Races for Nightblade (Stamina-based DPS):

Khajiit

Khajiits make excellent Nightblade stamina DPS characters due to their racials that enhance stealth, crit chance, and stamina regeneration. Their Khajiit's Sneak passive gives them increased movement speed while sneaking, which pairs well with the Nightblade's stealthy nature. Additionally, their Carnage passive increases their critical damage, giving them a significant edge in dealing high burst damage. The Robust passive increases stamina recovery, which is crucial for Nightblades who rely heavily on stamina abilities.

Best Races for Nightblade (Magicka-based DPS):

Dark Elf (Dunmer)

For a magicka-based Nightblade, the Dark Elf is a fantastic choice. Their racials are a perfect complement to the Nightblade's versatility in spellcasting and combat. The Dynamic passive provides a solid balance of increased maximum magicka, stamina, and fire resistance. This makes Dark Elves powerful in both PvE and PvP scenarios, especially for those who prefer an optimized build that balances damage output and survivability. The Flame Resistance passive also helps mitigate elemental damage, particularly from fire-based attacks, which is a nice safety net for Nightblades in high-stakes situations.

3. Templar: Best Races

Templars are healers, tanks, and damage dealers, with strong abilities in support roles, healing, and sustained DPS. Their role as versatile hybrid classes means they can perform in any position, from front-line combat to backline support.

Best Races for Templar Healers:

Breton

Bretons are an outstanding choice for Templar healers. Their Gifted Incantations passive increases their Magicka Recovery and reduces the cost of their spells, making them incredibly efficient as healers in both PvE and PvP settings. The Dragonskin passive provides additional spell resistance, enhancing your survivability, which is key for staying alive while healing in high-pressure situations. Furthermore, their natural affinity for magic makes them an ideal race for Templar healing builds, as it maximizes the class's healing potential.

Best Races for Templar Tank (Stamina-based):

Imperial

Imperials are one of the most durable races in ESO, which makes them perfect for tanking roles, especially for a stamina-based Templar build. Their Red Diamond passive provides an excellent boost to stamina recovery and increases health recovery as well. The Imperial Mettle passive also increases your maximum health, enhancing the Templar's role as a resilient frontline fighter. Their racial abilities synergize with the Templar's ability to absorb and heal damage, ensuring you can withstand hits while keeping the team alive.

4. Sorcerer: Best Races

Sorcerers excel at dealing damage through pet summons, magical attacks, and high burst potential. Their focus on Magicka makes racial choices that improve resource management and elemental damage essential.

Best Races for Sorcerer (Magicka-based DPS):

Altmer (High Elf)

High Elves are ideal for magicka-based Sorcerers because of their Spell Recharge passive, which significantly boosts Magicka recovery, allowing you to sustain long fights without running out of resources. Their High Elf passive increases overall spell damage, which is crucial for boosting the output of your powerful abilities and elemental magic. This synergy gives the Sorcerer ample firepower to dominate in both solo and group content.

Best Races for Sorcerer (Stamina-based DPS):

Orc (Orsimer)

While Orcs are traditionally more associated with tanking and stamina builds in ESO, their bonuses to Stamina Recovery and Weapon Damage make them a fantastic choice for stamina-based Sorcerers. The Berserker passive increases damage when below 50% health, which is a great complement to the Sorcerer's burst potential. In addition, their Racial Passive bonus to stamina helps with sustained DPS in longer battles.

5. Warden: Best Races

Wardens are a versatile class, able to tank, heal, or deal damage. With a focus on nature-based magic and powerful animal companions, the best races for Wardens depend largely on whether you're aiming for a tank, healing, or DPS build.

Best Races for Warden (Tank):

Argonian

Argonians are the perfect choice for Warden tanks due to their incredible survivability. The Amphibian passive enhances their ability to restore health and recover Magicka, while the Resistance to Disease passive grants them added resilience to damage. These racials make Argonians fantastic healers and tanks, as they can sustain themselves under pressure and contribute to group healing. Their natural affinity for the Warden's healing abilities adds an extra layer of support to the tank role.

Best Races for Warden (DPS):

Wood Elf (Bosmer)

For a Warden DPS build, the Wood Elf is an excellent option due to their Resist Affliction passive, which provides excellent defense against crowd control effects. Additionally, the The Green Pact passive increases stamina regeneration and enhances your damage with physical attacks. As a Warden who focuses on stamina-based abilities or pet companions, the Wood Elf's bonuses to stealth, stamina, and mobility make them a formidable option for DPS roles.

Choosing the best race for your class in Elder Scrolls Online is a blend of personal playstyle and understanding the synergies between racial traits and class abilities. Whether you're a tanky Dragonknight, a stealthy Nightblade, or a powerful Sorcerer, selecting the right race can give you an edge in both PvP and PvE content. They also use Elder Scrolls Online gold and items to improve their equipment stats. As we head into 2025, the best races for each class remain rooted in balancing racial passives with class strengths, so make sure to choose wisely based on your playstyle and the role you wish to fill in your group or solo content.

MMOexp Elder Scrolls Online Team