Best New Race Mods for Skyrim

While there is no shortage of races to choose from in Skyrim, plus some bonus races like Vampires and Werewolves, sometimes you may want to try something new. That’s where the mods come into play. With these free mods, you can experience tons of new races.

10 Best Skyrim Race Mods

With these mods, you can try out races you’ve never played, including the infamous Daedras from Oblivion, other iconic fantasy races like Centaurs, and many more. There’s no better way to spice up your experience than becoming someone new with new skills and abilities to explore. Here are a few of the very best I came across.

Daedra

If you played Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, you’ll be familiar with the Daedra. They are the demonic race that inhabits the plains of Oblivion. Now is your chance to become one of them, with dark ash-like skin, horns, and all. It’s up to you to spread chaos or be a Daedra turned to the good side. Along with some powerful traits, you can also have a set of fiery wings to get you around the map much faster.

Akaviri

The Akaviri are an exciting race you can play as, thanks to this mod. Although they remain a big mystery, we’ve heard a bit about them in both Oblivion and Skyrim. They are most commonly related to The Blades, which is why the armor and weapons of the Blades are styled so differently than anything else. They are known for their skill in battle, especially with a blade. However, this mod plays on the race even more, giving them special abilities, such as venom and night vision, fitting for the variety of Vampirism they are plagued with.

Skeleton

You fight a lot of skeletons around Skyrim, particularly in dungeons and ruins. However, what if you could play as a Skeleton race? This mod allows you to do so with unique customization options. You can have the skull of all the base races, like a Khajiit or an Argonian. Along with this race are lots of other content to explore as well, like new outfits, quests, followers, and so much more. Welcome to the world of the undead!

Centaur

The Centaurs are one of my all-time favorite race mods that I came across. Not only is it one of the most unique of the options, but it’s very helpful in getting around the map. I use horses all the time, so rather than buying a horse, I’d rather be half a horse. This woodland race is similar to Wood Elves in the top half, as well as in their skills. They excel at Marksmanship.

Halfling

The Halflings, better known as Hobbits, are very much the same humanoid shape as the other races but stout in size. Because of their size, they are experts in stealth and burglary skills. They can go undetected much easier than others and even receive some special blessings.

Dwarf

The Dwarf race is very similar to the Hobbits in size, but they are more bulky than the Hobbits. They also include a lot more customization options to make them fit the part to a tee, including a custom voice. These people are skilled warriors. Along with their unique skills, you can also unlock new weapons, armor, and items to use for them.

Birds

If you liked the idea of wings on the Daedra, you may enjoy these Bird races even more. This mod adds in three different varieties of races, all resembling bird-like creatures: Gryphons, Bats, and Birds (Song Birds, Eagles, Ravens, etc.). All of them have original faces that fit with feathers, beaks, and wings to fly with.

Argonian Crocodile

We’ve seen plenty of the reptilian race of the Argonians, but this mod brings in a fresh take on them with the Argonian Crocodiles. They resemble the Argonians in body and stature, but their faces are shaped more ferociously like a crocodile. You can customize their unique markings, teeth, and even some new crests and hair.

Snow Elf

The Ancient Falmer race of the Snow Elves was quickly eluded to in the main story of Skyrim, but a lot of their culture was left a mystery. With this mod, you can become a Snow Elf with a snow-like complexion, pointy ears, and a tall, slender body. You exonerate pure light under the Goddess Auriel, excelling at magic and combat. Your greatest enemy is the undead, who you hope to purge from the land.

Aedra

We’ve heard plenty about the Daedra, but the Aedra are the opposite of them in every sense. While the Daedra rule the underworld in fire and darkness, the Aedra are a race of light and glory, almost Angelic in nature. You’ll unlock unique powers and, similar to the Daedra, a set of wings to take to the skies with.

These are just a few of the most intriguing race modes I encountered. There are plenty of other options to explore, though. Check out your in-game mod menu, or explore NexusMods to find more. Try out some from the list above; you won’t be disappointed!

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