Racial Traits Improved
⚪ Last updated 2012⚠️ Install Order · 3 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 6.0% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #4 of 27 Skills and Leveling mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
\\ DISCONTINUED / ABANDONED //
I don't really check in on the Nexus or play Skyrim these days, so for those who run into issues feel free to take the edits and run with them, upload different versions etc. I realise that to players and not modders that sounds like work, but I'll emphasize that this is a really simple mod and easy to do.
As far as updating the mod goes not too much should change, so this mod should still work, but I'm not keeping tabs on the changes so I can't say for certain.
TheLostDeathKnight has uploaded a version which works with dawnguard vampires, along with a few other tweaks: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33795
A small mod that changes the way your Race affects your skills.
You will no longer start the game with 10 less levels to gain in your Race's "specialised" area, instead, the bonus is added as a fortify effect, meaning a wood elf with max archery skill will be 10% better than an orc with max archery skill.
To be clear, I'll explain how Skyrim adds racial traits by default.
When choosing your level 1 character, you start at the lowest skill level (15). Then, depending on your race, your skills are 'bumped up' by a pre-determined value.
What I have done, is remove that boost, and added it instead as a bonus on top of your base skill level.
So even though you'll be starting at, say, level 15 archery for a wood elf, your level 15 archery will be +10 levels better than an orc's level 15 archery. Meaning you can level up the maximum 85 times even in your race's main skill area.
This mod adds a new racial effect to each race, modifying the relevant skills. The skills modified will be highlighted in the skills menu as are all fortified skill increases.
These effects are retroactive, so don't worry about them not applying to save games. It will not rob any skill levels from you either!
Hope you like, feedback appreciated!
User Lasyan3 has uploaded a translation, for those of you French inclined:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31825
Installation:
Use Nexus Mod Manager!
Manually - just put the .esp file in your Skyrim/Data directory, then check the file in the Data Files section of the game launcher.
Uninstallation:
1. Load your save with the mod active
2. Enter the console command "player.resurrect"
3. Save and exit
4. Disable the mod through NMM or whatever mod manager you use, and load.
Version History:
v1. 0 - Initial release
v1. 1 - Character's main stat listed in active effects
v1. 1a - Revised above
v1. 2 - Cleaned with TESVSnip, made some hidden effects visible, ACTUALLY UPLOADED 1. 2, =/ and made sure each race had only one effect visible.
Full list of racial traits:
Lockpicking 10
Pickpocket 5
Sneak 5
Racial Traits Improved is a compact mod that alters how racial bonuses affect skills in Skyrim. Instead of reducing the number of levels you can gain in your race's specialized skills, it applies the bonus as a fortify effect, so a Wood Elf with maxed archery still benefits. With 790 endorsements and 13,097 downloads, it's a well-received tweak for players who want to keep racial identity without losing leveling potential.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Community-approved with 790 endorsements and over 13k downloads, so it's proven to work for many players.
- Fixes a real annoyance: you no longer lose 10 levels of potential in your race's specialty.
- Simple and focused—does exactly what it says without bloat or extra changes.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in 2012, so it may not be compatible with the latest Skyrim versions or DLCs without patches.
- The fortify effect might not stack with other fortify bonuses, potentially causing balance issues with enchantments or potions.
- Only affects racial skill bonuses; if you're looking for broader racial overhauls, this won't cover that.
For Skyrim players who want to keep their race's skill bonus without sacrificing leveling efficiency, especially archers or mages who hit max skill early. Skip if you want a full racial overhaul or if you're playing on a version newer than the mod's last update.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Since this mod is from 2012, check if you're using Skyrim Special Edition or Anniversary Edition—you may need to find a port or use a compatibility patch.
- If you're using a mod manager like Vortex or MO2, install it manually to ensure it overwrites correctly, and place it low in your load order to avoid conflicts with other racial mods.
- Test with a new character to see the fortify effect in action, as it may not show up on existing saves if your skills are already maxed.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim LE Mods
- Author
- Dasistgutja
- Version
- 1.2
- Downloads
- 13,097
- Endorsements
- 790
- Category
- Skills and Leveling
- Created
- 2/20/2012
- Updated
- 7/2/2012
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