Skyrim High Elf race guide
The strongest natural spellcasters in Skyrim, with the largest magicka pool of any race at the start.
- Also called
- Altmer
- +10 skill
- Illusion (starts at 25)
- +5 skills
- Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Enchanting, Restoration (start at 20)
- Power
- Highborn — Regenerate magicka much faster for 60 seconds, once a day
- Passive
- +50 maximum magicka
- Starting attributes
- 100 health · 150 magicka · 100 stamina
Best builds for a High Elf
Looking at the starting bonuses, the High Elf gets 0 points of bonuses in warrior skills, 35 in mage skills and 0 in thief skills. That makes it a natural fit for a mage build, with Illusion as its strongest early skill.
Remember that the starting bonuses fade in importance as you level. A skill that starts at 25 instead of 15 saves you only a few hours of play. The racial power, Highborn, stays with you for the whole game, so pick a race whose power you will actually use.
Comparing the High Elf with other races
See the race comparison table for every race's bonuses side by side, or try the High Elf in the build planner to see how its bonuses change the level your build needs.
High Elf FAQ
What skills does the High Elf start with?
High Elfs start with Illusion at 25, Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Enchanting, Restoration at 20, and every other skill at 15.
What is the High Elf racial power?
Highborn: Regenerate magicka much faster for 60 seconds, once a day.
What build is the High Elf best for?
The High Elf's bonuses lean toward mage skills, so it suits mage builds best, but any race can play any build in Skyrim.
What passive abilities do High Elfs have?
+50 maximum magicka.