So, my next character is probably going to be a Battlemage, and I'm not sure which race of elf to pick... High Elf will have more Magicka (Assuming they both pick the same amount by level 50), but will be lacking in the magical defense area while using the double magicka regen/ weakness to magicka guardian stone. Also, after playing through Skyrim, I REALLY dislike High Elves, more then I did before. The only downside to Dark Elves is the lack of extra Magicka, but they do have resistance to fire which will be extremely helpful, as well as a higher starting destruction.

So which one should I pick?

Bretons are manMER. I vote them.

Honestly, there really isn't a big difference between any of them. In the beginning, High Elves will be easier to level magic wise but by the time you reach level 20 or so, the difference in magic really starts to taper off. Go with the one you like best, be it appearance or lore.

The first people that the Thalmor subjugated was their own. Don't take it out on all high elves in general. Being somewhat smug is in their nature, much like it's a nord's nature to be burly, or an imperial's nature to be slick-tongued. In fact, there is an altmeri legate presiding over the Rift camp who has a special dislike of the Thalmor. Not sure if his air of above-ness is due to being altmeri or because of his legion officer training of "I say jump you say how high".

If it bugs you so much, RP an altmer as a refugee from the Thalmor purging on Summerset, so you can retain your antipathy towards the Thalmor despite your new char's race.

Are you going be more offense-based or more defense-based? High elves are good for offensive because of their starting magicka boost, and also because of their racial power for once-a-day rapid mana regen.

Bretons have a nice defense power against magic in their passive magic resistance and also their racial power allows them to do a lot of hostile spell absorbing.

So which route?

Wood elf...

I actually think the Imperials are quiet good Battle Mages.... 10+ Restoration and bonusses in One Handed, Have Armor (and Destruction?).. It's what I am

Thanks for the help, probably gonna choose a Dark Elf. And wow, like I don't the 'Wood Elf' response was sarcasm, lol.

For min max, High elf


you start with an extra 50 magicka at level 1, thats like a free 5 levels

This enables you to up your health and stamin and still cast like a boss for quite some time

Altmer for the obvious reason that they're the most magic-orientated.

Dark Elf for looking as evil as possible.

Breton, combined with a few easy to access magic resistant things makes you very resistant to magic. Combined with heavy armor, you are resistant to everything. Alteration perk (iirc) also has perks for increased magic resistance.

I'd like to vote for Orsimer though Nothing stops them from being good mages and they have the berserk power.

So basically: Altmer for a battlemage that uses powerful spells to also hurt opponents or summon atronarchs. Breton for a battlemage that tries to stay alive for as long as possible against everything. Orsimer for a more melee type battlemage that uses spells as well.

DOESNT MATTER since its single player game

50% resistant to fire wont help alot since npc mages prefer use shock
And 50 magicka is not a big deal
Breton got best racials

But still you can play mage on master difficulty even with orc.

Im playing Imperial Mage(chosed for looking) on master difficulty and doing fine.

CONJURATION = makes the best mage and battlemage

Pick Orc for fun

Jzargo says Khajit are teh best mages

50% fire resistance, badass looks, very well rounded, and just the best race in TES because they just are..

Dunmer. Always. For every class.

50% fire resist helps against fire-breathing dragons, though.

The 50% frost resist on Nords certainly helps against frost-breathers.

In my experince it seems like 75% of enemies use frost magic, dragr seem to be the most commen casters i've fought so far though

Why do people confuse Spellswords with Battlemage?



Yeah, actually it is a big deal, especially if you only need mana for specific spells, sometimes and mostly use melee. Five levels of mana is pretty huge. Breton only matter if you aren't planning on boosting your resists through Enchanting/Alteration and even then only on Expert or higher difficulty. For a min/max player, High Elf makes the best "caster" for both pure and hybrid, while Breton is better for those who barely cast anything at all. Orcs are also one of the best depending on what your playstyle is. No one can kill dragons and bosses faster. Their power is also about as good as the Breton power when it comes to mitigation against spells, and superior against everything else.

High Elves are ugly, just like the Darkies. Go Breton.