Not magically talented. But the most naturally talented warriors. You must back up our decision with reasons and their military exploits.

I'll start by saying the Redguards due to their successful invasion of all of Western Tamriel and the fact that they drove out the Thalmor due to the huge Altmer body count. Also, they developed the most powerful sword art in all of Tamriel along with probably the most elite warriors (Sword-Singers).

Who do you think?

Bosmer...
...
...
Nords because the 500

Hard to say beyond the Nords, Orcs and Redguards being the strongest contenders. We know very few specifics about their cultural fighting styles and how they work against each other.

I have noticed though, looking at the racial skills of the last 3 games that the Redguards tend to have the most offensive skill set, the Orcs the most defensive and the Nords somewhere in between.

Strongest - Nords

Most Naturally Talented - Redguards

(No Vote due to spilt-decision)

My thoughts exactly.

Edit: But well, nothing wins a cathay-raht!

I can already tell where this is going to go. Anyway, to the redguards, the redguards had the help of the hoonding. In fact, most races had a lot of divine help on most of their most impressive feats. Because of this, and the fact that you can't really judge individual talent of a race based on military victories, I'm going to say you can't tell. People seem to think orcs have the most brute strength, Redguards have the most talent, as thats what their description says, and I guess that Nords are a combination of talent and strength?

Either way, I'm going with nord on the poll, because I do think they are a combination of strength and talent, but we really can't say for sure. I am absolutely sure as most will be though that the top three are Redguards Orcs and Nords in no particular order.

Orcs. They've produced some of the best warriors for the Empire. Of course they're cannon fodder mainly, so you never get specific Orc names most of the time - but those who become distinguished are, as aforementioned, usually helped by the Divines/Daedra

The racial descriptions in the games the Orcs have been in don't say they are the strongest. Just thought I'd let you know.

Skyrim:The people of the Wrothgarian and Dragontail Mountains, Orcish smiths are prized for their craftsmanship. Orc troops in Heavy Armor are among the finest in the Empire, and are fearsome when using their Berserker Rage.

Oblivion:The people of the Wrothgarian and Dragontail Mountains, Orcish armorers are prized for their craftsmanship. Orc troops in heavy armor are among the finest in the Empire, and are fearsome when using their berserker rage

Morrowind:These sophisticated barbarian beast peoples of the Wrothgarian and Dragontail Mountains are noted for their unshakeable courage in war and their unflinching endurance of hardships. Orc warriors in heavy armor are among the finest front-line troops in the Empire. Most Imperial citizens regard Orc society as rough and cruel, but there is much to admire in their fierce tribal loyalties and generous equality of rank and respect among the sixes.

I already knew the descriptions. I just meant that people seem to think that way, not that it was my personal opinion.

"as thats what their description says"

was referring to Redguards.

Bretons, of course. *chuckles*

I say Redguards are the most talented. They seem to do well in nearly all forms of combat.

I still think Orcs are very strong, but only in physical strength. Especially in Heavy Armor.

Nords are known for war, but I pick them as the third.

The three warrior races, of course:
Reguards are the greatest at using weapons

Nords are the best at being all-round fighers

Orsimer are the best at being defense minded (until they berserk)

Of these three here, I chose Redguards, because of their vast focus on weaponry as a culture making them stand out when it comes to raw talent in the world of fighting, though a case could be easily made for either orsimer and nords.

Nords, while the strongest of the warrior races (starting stats of 50 across the board, with Redguards at 50M/40F and Orsimer at 45M/45F), are mixed with defense and offense. They are a culture that also loves to fight, and much like the Redguards, tend to be rowdy people too. As for talent, they're better at taking a hit than a redguard, but a redguard is a much more talented swordsman.

Yet, orsimer are world renowned for being the best tanks of the three races and the best smiths, with the most skills already being focused on heavy armor, blocking and a minor in axes/blunt. They also have the best starting health, endurance, and willpower from the get go, compared to everyone else. Offensively, they fall a short, compared to nords and redguards, but they can take a beating much better than everyone else, physically and magically. So while they lack grace, but make up in being able to ignore blows and smack someone with a hammer or axe in the face.

Redguards by talent, hands-down.

Orcs are stronger than Nords in every way, but Nords are more socially acceptable. Everything Nords had going for them to put them on par with Orcs and Redguards in terms of being interesting martial cultures was stolen from them by the lore-abominations known as Imperials.

I was going to say Khajiit, but only when you consider the Senche-Raht and Cathay-raht. It's hard to argue with a cat the size of a freight train. However, those are only seen in any number in Elsweyr.

Nords or Orcs as they are the two most purest warrior races. What they lack in magic or stealth they make up for in strength.

Out the two I'd say Nords have the edge as they are probably more disciplined and effective units on the battlefield. Orcs are probably more ferocious and intimidating though.

Nords make the best armored knights and Orcs make the best savage barbarians

Redguards and Nords,Then orcs

Redguards by lore seem to be the most talented

Orsimer the most strong

Redguards are probably the most athletic human race while Nords are probably the strongest

While the orsimer have the thickest skin and hardest bones around.

Well, the only thing we have to indicate the natural state of the races is the starting stats in Morrowind and Oblivion, where the Nords are the only ones who consistently measure at 50 strength. Orcs and Redguards, seen by an average of game and gender, end up at 45. On the other hand, the Redguards and Orcs have 50 endurance and the Nords have 45. Not a set in stone measurement, but it is interesting.

Nords used to be potent and skilled magic-users. And then the third era ended, and Nords went Pants-on-Head [censored] about magic.

You also have this horribly, horribly backward. Nords are the ones most likely to run and scream half-naked into battle. Orcs are far more disciplined, and won't even think of going off to battle without the best "heavy" armor in the known world (Outside of legendary armors like Ebony, Daedric, and Dragonbone).

I think you both have it backward here. If anything, both races extensively use both heavy and light armor. Chainmail seems common in Skyrim, as does fur, leather, iron, steel and steel plate. Orcs have their own heavy armor, but in the Strongholds they most commonly use fur, probably because it is more friendly on their resources.

And because it doesn't make sense to be hunting while wearing Orcish Armor.

As individuals, Redguards are typically hailed as one of the top warriors in all of Tamriel, as having a culture geared towards strict martial tradition and the use of swordplay will generally do that. However, their military suffers from general incompetence due to the fact that they don't have a strong, unifying sense of self like the Nords are Impeials at large.

Orcs are pretty brutal when it comes to fighting however, and I wager that those that remain in their strongholds or Orsinium are for the most part, self-taught. While sheer strength is all well and good, the inconsistency of their fighting style probably doesn't do them any favors.

Most skilled Warriors:

Redguards, Nords, Dunmer.

Most skilled soldiers:

Orsimer & Cyrodiils IMO

Most effective Army:

Argonians (when united).

I dunno. The nords would never be as nearly as successful as a nation if they were bad soldiers. It just happens that the Colovians can produce the most legendary generals around, and orsimer that do join the Imperial army tend to also take orders and fight well. And notice, I make note that it's Colovians who are great at this, not Cyrodiils in general. The Nibenese are better suited as diplomats and battlemages.

Also, Great House Redoran are VERY good soldiers and warriors, but then again, that is only 1 Great House. The other houses do not have such martial pride and discipline as House Redoran.