Top 10 Favorite Races in The Elder Scrolls Games

[Ranga360]

1. Khajiit - First character in Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim were all Khajiit
2. Dunmer - Mainly because of Morrowind
3. Bosmer - Can't think of a good reason just like them
4. Imperial - My favourite character ever was an imperial in Oblivion
5. Argonian - Best looking race in Skyrim, so well designed
6. Orc - no reason just here
7. Nord - kinda standard
8. Breton - Again standard
9. Altmer - To high and mighty
10. Redguard - ...Nazeem...

[OblivionDuruza]

1. Dunmer
2. Altmer
3. Nords
4. Khajiit
5. Imperials
6. Bosmer
7. Argonians
8. Redguards
9. Orcs
10. Bretons

Dunmer win outright based on the culture Bethesda fashioned for them in Morrowind, and the balance they have traditionally brought in terms of playstyle and gameplay. My first character in Oblivion was an Altmer, and so nostalgia does play a part in their role, even though that was before I knew anything about the lore of the game - and thus the decision was based more on the 'vibe' of them as a race. That being said, the Khajiit beat the Nords and Altmer on (the interestingness of their) culture. The Bretons also win points on their political system, but are still a little too generic for my liking, although they don't lose out by much to the Orcs (and Redguards), who I've always found a little boring. That too being said, the Redguards do have a lot of potential, so a Hammerfell game might change my opinion of them.

[baratron]

Is anyone adding up the scores? (Does anyone care enough?)

1. Bretons. The most versatile race in both Oblivion & Skyrim, and excellent spellswords. Many of my favourite characters, both in the games & in fanfic are Breton. (In particular, fandom has A Thing about red-haired male Bretons).

2. Imperials. Mainly because of Martin. But also because I love ancient Greek & Roman cultures.

3. Dunmer. I've been playing Dragonborn & there's so much more to them than the beaten-down residents of the Grey Quarter.

4. Argonians. Again, a lot of my favourite characters (especially mages in Oblivion) are Argonian, & I'm fascinated by the whole Hist thing. Especially the Oblivion Fighters Guild/Blackwood Company storyline.

5. Nords. Because I love long-haired beardy men! Seriously, I fancy about half the male Nords in Skyrim .

6. & 7. Khajiit & Bosmer. Like them both equally. Both cultures are interesting & i hope to see more of them in games to come.

8. Redguards. Baurus <3. Also Nazeem </3. I don't honestly know enough about them.

9. Orsimer. While there were lots of awesome orcs in Oblivion, there are few in Skyrim. Their way of life seems much tougher, & the strongholds are the most sexist thing in the whole game. For BOTH sexes. Few of the orcs who live in the strongholds seem content with their roles in life, & the ones who choose to leave are then ostracised by their own family.

10. Altmer. Even ignoring the Thalmor, 3/4 of all named Altmer are stuck-up, snooty gits. The only genuinely awesome Altmer are the "mad scientists" - Sinderion, Calcelmo & Aicantar. I love those three characters. Most other Altmer can get stuffed.

[SM-Dreamer]

So being the nerdy woman that I am, and to answer baratron's question, I tallied up all the totals based on what race was placed in what rating. Note that when a rating was split between two, I halved it.

Overall, Dunmer is best liked (coming in at highest ranked for 1 and 2), followed by a tied Argonian, Breton, and Nord, with the Altmer the least liked (Orc second for last place). Anyway, I'm not great with doing anything but compiling the data, but here it is.

Hidden:

1: Altmer 1, Argonian 4, Bosmer 2, Breton 4, Dunmer 9, Khajiit 1, Imperial 1, Nord 1, Orc 0, Redguard 1

2: Altmer 1, Argonian 2, Bosmer 1, Breton 2, Dunmer 6, Khajiit 3, Imperial 2, Nord 5, Orc 1, Redguard 1

3: Altmer 1.5, Argonian 1.5, Bosmer 3, Breton 3, Dunmer 2, Khajiit 3, Imperial 2, Nord 4.5, Orc 1, Redguard 2.5

4: Altmer 1.5, Argonian 3.5, Bosmer 1, Breton 0, Dunmer 1, Khajiit 2, Imperial 5, Nord 0.5, Orc 6, Redguard 4.5

5: Altmer 1, Argonian 3, Bosmer 2, Breton 3, Dunmer 2, Khajiit 7, Imperial 3, Nord 2, Orc 1, Redguard 1

6: Altmer 2, Argonian 2, Bosmer 3.5, Breton 2.5, Dunmer 1, Khajiit 0.5, Imperial 2, Nord 1, Orc 3.5, Redguard 5

7: Altmer 3, Argonian 2, Bosmer 2.5, Breton 3.5, Dunmer 0, Khajiit 3.5, Imperial 2, Nord 4, Orc 2.5, Redguard 1

8: Altmer 4, Argonian 2, Bosmer 4, Breton 2, Dunmer 2, Khajiit 1, Imperial 0, Nord 2, Orc 1, Redguard 6

9: Altmer 3, Argonian 3, Bosmer 2.5, Breton 2, Dunmer 0, Khajiit 3, Imperial 4.5, Nord 2, Orc 2, Redguard 1

10: Altmer 6, Argonian 1, Bosmer 2.5, Breton 2, Dunmer 1, Khajiit 0, Imperial 2.5, Nord 2, Orc 6, Redguard 1

[DikaSmausha]

I figured it would be Dunmer. Just imagine how ESO will be.

[OblivionDuruza]

Actually, based on those stats I would say that Orcs are the least liked (smallest number of affirmative or positive responses), and Altmer are the most disliked (greatest number of negative responses - although assuming that the lower rankings are reflective of dislike rather than apathy might be a bit of a stretch considering this is a comparative, rather than evaluative rating system).

[baratron]

So being the nerdy woman that I am, and to answer baratron's question, I tallied up all the totals based on what race was placed in what rating. Note that when a rating was split between two, I halved it.

I took your totals and turned them into "stats" based on the simple system of first choice = 10 points, second choice = 9 points, ... last choice = 1 point. Feel free to argue about whether this is a fair and unbiased system (clue: it isn't), and feel free to try other systems.

In reverse order, least favourite first:

Hidden:

10. Altmer 93.5
9. Orc 105.5
8. Bosmer 119
7. Imperial 126.5
6. Redguard 127
5. Breton 138.5
4. Nord 139.5
3. Khajiit 142.5
2. Argonian 143.5
1. Dunmer 191

The numbers are so close that you could, in fact, write it as:
1. Dunmer - favourite
2. & 3. Argonian & Khajiit
4. & 5. Nord & Breton
6. & 7. Imperial & Redguard
8. Bosmer
9. Orc
10. Altmer - least favourite

Dunmer are the runaway winners. The next most popular are the beast races, then the slightly more exciting humans (the ones with more useful racial powers), then the not so exciting humans, then all the other types of elf.

Of course, it's not going to be statistically significant with only 24 votes anyway. If there were more people voting then I'd try to remember things like standard deviation, skew, kurtosis, and distribution shapes, but I can't be bothered because it's not that important. I did notice that the distribution of Orc votes is decidedly bimodal - people either think they're "okay" (rank 4/10) or "awful" (rank 10/10).

[OblivionDuruza]

I did notice that the distribution of Orc votes is decidedly bimodal - people either think they're "okay" (rank 4/10) or "awful" (rank 10/10).

Which is the reason I suggest that they are less liked, but also less disliked than the Altmer, who rate both slightly higher on one end, and slightly lower on the other - and are, whilst being more polarising, not necessarily less liked (as opposed to more hated).

Still, as you rightly point out, sample size.

[DikaSmausha]

I think everyone likes the beast races because they are way different form other races.

[OblivionDuruza]

I also believe that to be at least somewhat the case. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the Argonians or Orcs (who are considered a Beast race), but the Argonians rate somewhat higher than most of my other non-preferred races due to their relative uniqueness (BG Lizardman notwithstanding).

That being said, I do pay the cultures Bethesda fashions for its races above any other factor. That's part of the reason I like the Khajiit as a culture so much, while not so much as a race, and further, why I think the Redguards, what with their distrust of magic, swordsinging and Forebear/Crowns tension, have a lot of potential for a game.

[Linkuya]

1. Nord
2. Wood Elf
3. Those other humans
4. Those lizard men
5. Those kitty dudes
6. That blue guy
7. That weird green dude
8. That yellow man
9. That guy with the hair
10. That guy

[cybrxkhan]

1. Imperial - I like imperial things in general. Also, since their original concept was supposedly a mish-mash of China and Rome, I felt like I could sort of relate, being Asian myself. (Akavir folks no one knows much about, and what we do know is too vague and ends up sounding like somewhat generic Asian mishmash (I am sure though that the devs will flesh them out properly and not make them stereotypes if they got the chance))
2. Khajiit - they're interesting and exotic and all that good stuff; I've always liked when fantasy cultures draw from the Middle East
3. Dunmer - I personally don't like elves or dark elves in fantasy, as it's hard to find elves that aren't the typical cliches, and for that reason I've never bothered to play one in TES, but the Dunmer however have an extremely fascinating culture, a rare example, I believe, of when elves are done right
4. Redguard - same with the Khajiit
5. Breton - Default generic fantasy; nothing to love, nothing to hate
6. Nord - nothing to love, nothing to hate
7. Argonian - interesting species, but I really don't like Argonia their homeland
8. Altmer - it'd be better if the series didn't portray them as snobby all the time; also, I don't really like elves in fantasy, so there's that
9. Orcs - I find nothing fascinating about them
10. Bosmer - they're a bit better in Skyrim than previous TES games, but, again, I also don't like elves. Their homeland is also portrayed in a way that doesn't fascinate me at all.

[K Candyman]

1. Imperial
2. Bosmer
3. Khajit
4. Orc
5. Nord
6. Redguard
7. Argonian
8. Dunmer
9. Breton
10. High Elf

[Leckan]

Man
Dunmer
Bosmer
Orsimer
Argonian
Khajiit
Altmer

[Starfang]

1. Dark Elf
2. Wood Elf
3. Khajiit
4. Redguard
5. Orc
6. High Elf
7. Nord
8. Imperial
9. Argonian
10. Breton

[SonicSceptile]

1. Dunmer - My first characters in both Oblivion and Skyrim were Dunmer and I still enjoy playing as them.
2. Argonians - Again, two early characters were Argonians. My current Argonian vampire dude is also my longest played character.
3. Nords - Most of my characters have been Nords, but I didn't enjoy a lot of them, so it balances out.
4. Altmer - My first mage/vampire was an Altmer
5. Orsimer - I actually enjoyed playing an Orc barbarian, and keep meaning to go back to him.
6. Khajiit - I enjoy playing as them, but wish they were more fleshed out
7. Imperial - Despite the main character in my fanfic being an Imperial, they just seem really mediocre.
8. Bosmer - Really can't stand
9. Bretons - Just really don't like them, mostly due to the Forsworn and Amaund Motierre
10. Redguards - Never really had a reason to play a Redguard, though Nazir is probably one of my fav NPCs

[Mod-Loving Wood Elf]

Poor altmer, man.

My list changes every time I think about it. Generally when choosing fav orite races I avoid which ones have the better gameplay bonuses or which ones play better for my character; I focus on their lore and what interests me about them as a fictional race. So...

1. Argonian
2. Altmer
3. Dunmer
4. Bosmer
5. Breton
6. Khajiit
7. Orc
8. Nord
9. Imperial
10. Redguard

[StormySkies]

My list would definitely have to be:

10. Orcs
9. Redguards
8. Khajiit
7. Nords
6. Argonians
5. Bosmer.
4. Imperials
3. Altmer
2. Dunmer
1. Bretons (Not quite sure what it is about them)

[cyberius]

My favorite to least favorite are:

Dunmer (love their culture, resistance to fire, and how they look like they are the opposite of High elves.
Argonian (COME ON! Who CAN'T love these scaly, lovably lizards?)
Orc (I found it amusing that they were monsters in Arena and Daggerfall, and that now, you can play them.)
Altmer (They are the best mages and are very powerful. No, I don't like the Aldmeri Dominion)
Nord (They are strong, and I love their abilities in Morrowind)
Khajiit (They are good thieves and can be good warriors and mages. And they are cats)
Imperial (they are decent, but I find them boring)
Redguard (I find redguards annoying in-game in morrowind, and I also think their culture is bland)
Breton (I don't like them. A lot of Bretons hated me for some reason in Morrowind)
Bosmer (They are the FUGLIEST things in Morrowind and Oblivion. And they are annoying {HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN GAENOR??!}. Even in Skyrim they annoy me.

[Pisik]

deleted.

[Daemos Avetorii]

Altmer
Argonian
Khajiit
Dunmer
Imperial
Bosmer
Breton
Nord
Orc
Redguard

Those would be mine. I like playing as an aggressive mage mostly.

[House of the Wolf]

1. Nords
2. Ra Gada
3. Imperials
4. Bretons
5. Altmer
6. Dunmer
7. Bosmer
8. Khajiit
9. Argonians
10. Orsimer

[Aranel]

Playable:
1. Dunmer - favorite race to play as, and the most interesting lore-wise.
2. High Elves - Fun race, sort of a cool "archaic elven race" so... I don't know, it just appeals to me.
3. Wood Elves - Awesome lore, particularly the part where under certain circumstances they can loose their form and become beasts. My first ever character was a wood elf, too.
4. Orcs - No particular reason. I just think they're cool, plus they're mer and I have a thing for elves.
5. Khajiit - As a whole, I don't find the forms in Morrowind/Oblivion/Skyrim to be very interesting overall, but they're adorable in Skyrim, all have cool accents, and they have pretty cool lore. I'd love in future installments for there to be the option to play the more Bosmeri looking Khajiit again.
6. Bretons, Nords (no preference) - I just really like them. They're more bland and rather standard, but I still really like them.

And then pretty much everyone else in no particular order. Argonians are probably last, though.
That said I don't hate any race or anything. I just don't really feel the appeal of argonians or khajiit (lore-wise, I love the Khajiit, but I think it would be funner to play a Khajiit similar to the Bosmeri people with awesome tattoos), and the Imperials just seem so... boring to me, and Redguards seem really interesting with their culture but it doesn't seem like they've shined at all in the game yet.

[Unionhack]

1. Bosmer
2. Bretons
3. Khajiit
4. Dunmer
5. Nord
6. Redguard
7. Orc
8. Imperial
9. Argonian
10. Altmer

I just play the top 3 the most. I love my wood elf in Skyrim (after modding their facial structure a bit of course), he'll always be my main dragonborn. I'm always an elf-y kinda guy.

[Lorenut]

1 Imperial- I just love their style
2 Breton- The first race I ever played as
3 Dunmer- They look awesome and have sweet abilities
4 Bosmer- They love nature and I love nature
5 Altmer- Stuck up, but have cool powers
6 Khajiit- I love cats
7 Argonian- can breathe underwater
8 Nord- Close to being dumb brutes
9 Redguard- annoying minus Owyn he's cool
10 Orc- Dumb brutes

1 is favorite 10 is least favorite