The Elder Scrolls Online Beginner’s Guide – Alliances and Races

There are three different Alliances within The Elder Scrolls Online, each having different races within:

Daggerfall Covenant

The Daggerfall Covenant is based in Northwest Tamriel and consists of three races: the Breton, the Redguard and Orcs, all under the rule of High King Emeric.

Breton

The Bretons of High Rock are blessed with a natural grasp of magic, thanks to the Elven blood that runs through their veins. Bretons are known for their craftsmanship, skills as merchants and wizardry. Bretons are also gifted at swordplay and diplomacy.

Race abilities:

• Dragonskin – This allows the user to absorb 50 per cent of magicka from hostile spells for a period of 60 seconds
• Light Armour affinity – This allows the user to gain an additional 15 per cent experience in the Light Armour skill path.
• Gift of Magnus – Receive an increase to your maximum Magicka.
• Spell Resistance – Receive an increased resistance to spells.
• Magicka Mastery – Spells cost less magicka to use.

Redguard

The Redguards of Hammerfall are desert natives whose ancestors migrated to Tamriel from Yokuda. Redguards are natural warriors who are extremely suspicious of magic.

Race abilities:

• Shield Affinity – This allows the user to gain an additional 15 per cent experience from the one handed and shield skill paths.
• Vigor – Your stamina recovers quicker during combat with enemies.
• Conditioning – Your player will receive an increase to their maximum stamina.
• Adrenaline Rush – Melee attacks on enemies will replenish a bit of stamina. The ability is only effective once every three seconds.

Orc

The Orcs of Wrothgar are considered by most to be an uncivilised people, but also known to be the finest smiths in Tamriel.

Race abilities:

• Heavy Armour expertise – This allows the user to gain an additional 15 per cent experience through the Heavy Armour skill path.
• Brawny – The user’s maximum health and stamina are increased.
• Robust – Your health will regenerate faster during combat.
• Swift – Your stamina will take longer to deplete while sprinting, plus your character will sprint faster.

Ebonheart Pact

The Ebonheart Pact is formed of three races previously at war with each other. The Nords and Dark Elves share a long history of conflict, while Argonians have long been slaves to the Dark Elves.

The three formed a bond during the Akaviri invasion, and each group shares similar militaristic traits.

Nord

Nords are a Nedic human race based in Skyrim. A group whom favour weapons over magic.

Race abilities:

• Two handed weapon expertise – The user gains an additional 15 per cent experience in the two-handed skill path.
• Robust – Your health regenerates faster during combat.
• Resist Frost – The player’s cold resistance and maximum health are increased.
• Rugged – This will give you an increased armour rating.

Dunmer

Also known as Dark Elves, the Dunmer reside in Morrowind. They are efficient with swords, magic and stealth.

Race abilities:

• Ambidexterity – This increases the experience gained by players in the dual-wield skill path by 15 per cent.
• Dynamic – Your maximum stamina and magicka are increased.
• Resist flame – Your fire damage resistance is increased, so too is your magicka.
• Flame Talent – Spells with fire damage receive a damage boost.

Argonians

The Argonians are lizard-like in appearance and, like Dark Elves, skilled in magic, blades and stealth.

Race abilities:

• Restoration Expertise – Users receive a 15 per cent experience boost to the Restoration skill path.
• Amphibious – Users receive a boost to swimming speed and potions also become more effective.
• Argonian Resistance – A user’s maximum health, poison resistance and disease resistance are increased.
• Quick to mend – Players receive greater healing from all sources.

Aldmeri Dominion

Aldmeri Dominion consists of the High Elves, Wood Elves, and Khajiits, and seek to bring Elven rule to Tamriel.

High Elf

One of the original Tamriel settlers, the High Elves are responsible for the prominent language of the land.

Race abilities:

• Destruction talent – Users gain an additional 15 per cent experience through the Destruction Staff skill path.
• Spellcharge – A user’s magicka recovers faster during combat.
• Gulf of Magnus – Your maximum magicka is increased.
• Elemental talent – Attacks with fire, cold and shock effects receive a damage boost.

Wood Elf

Wood Elves are efficient thieves, hunters and guides. They are also known to eat their fallen enemies after battle.

Race abilities

• Archery expertise – Experience gained on the bow skill path will receive a 15 per cent increased.
• Vigor – A user stamina recovers faster during combat.
• Resist affliction – Stamina, poison and disease resistance increased.
• Stealthy – A player’s stealth radius is increased, you also deal additional damage while in stealth mode.

Khajiit

A feline race from Elsweyr, the Khajiit are proficient with blades.

Race abilities

• Medium armour expertise – Experience gained with medium armour is increased by 15 per cent.
• Robust – Your health will regenerate faster during combat.
• Stealthy – A player’s stealth radius is increased, you also deal additional damage while in stealth mode.
• Carnage – Your critical rating for melee attacks is increased, as well as receiving a damage boost for successful critical hits.