The best race in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion depends on your preferred playstyle, but generally, the top-tier races are Breton, Orc, and High Elf.
- Breton is often considered the best overall balanced race. They have a 50% magic resistance, which is very useful against enemy spellcasters, and +50 maximum Magicka, making them versatile for both magic and melee builds
. This makes them a great choice especially for first playthroughs.
- Orc excels in physical combat with the highest starting Endurance, leading to the highest maximum health. Their Berserk power boosts damage significantly, and they have a +10 to Armorer skill, which is essential for heavy armor users
- High Elf (Altmer) is the strongest pure spellcaster race, with +100 maximum Magicka on top of high Intelligence, allowing them to cast powerful spells frequently
Other races like Dark Elf and Nord are also strong but rank slightly lower than these three. Khajiit, Redguard, and Wood Elf fall into a more middle tier depending on the build you want
. In summary, for a balanced and powerful character, Breton is often recommended as the best race, especially for beginners or those who want a mix of magic and combat. Orcs are best for heavy melee builds, and High Elves for pure magic users
