Character Backgrounds for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) - D&D Beyond (2024)

Name

Feature

Proficiencies

Tags

  • Acolyte

    Basic Rules

    Shelter of the Faithful

    Insight, Religion

    Social, Religious

  • Acolyte - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Shelter of the Faithful

    Insight, Religion

    Social, Religious

  • Anthropologist

    Tomb of Annihilation

    Adept Linguist

    Insight, Religion

    Social, Exploration

  • Archaeologist

    Tomb of Annihilation

    Historical Knowledge

    History, Survival

    Social, Exploration

  • Astral Drifter

    Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

    Divine Contact

    Insight, Religion

  • Athlete

    Mythic Odysseys of Theros

    Echoes of Victory

    Athletics, Acrobatics

    Utility

  • Azorius Functionary

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Legal Authority

    Insight, Intimidation

    Guild

  • Boros Legionnaire

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Legion Station

    Athletics, Intimidation

    Guild

  • Celebrity Adventurer’s Scion

    Acquisitions Incorporated

    Name Dropping

    Perception, Performance

  • Charlatan

    Player’s Handbook

    False Identity

    Deception, Sleight of Hand

    Social, Deception

  • Charlatan - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    False Identity

    Deception, Sleight of Hand

    Social, Deception

  • City Watch / Investigator

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Watcher’s Eye

    Athletics, Investigation, Insight

    Social, Detection, Combat

  • Clan Crafter

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Respect of the Stout Folk

    History, Insight

    Social, Utility

  • Cloistered Scholar

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Library Access

    History, Arcana, Nature, Religion

    Social, Utility

  • Courtier

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Court Functionary

    Insight, Persuasion

    Social

  • Criminal - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Criminal Contact

    Deception, Stealth

    Social, Exploration, Deception

  • Criminal / Spy

    Basic Rules

    Criminal Contact

    Deception, Stealth

    Social, Exploration, Deception

  • Dimir Operative

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    False Identity

    Deception, Stealth

    Guild

  • Entertainer

    Player’s Handbook

    By Popular Demand

    Acrobatics, Performance

    Social, Utility

  • Entertainer - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    By Popular Demand

    Acrobatics, Performance

    Social, Utility

  • Faceless

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Dual Personalities

    Deception, Intimidation

  • Faction Agent

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Safe Haven

    Insight, Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion, Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival, Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Failed Merchant

    Acquisitions Incorporated

    Supply Chain

    Investigation, Persuasion

  • Feylost

    The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

    Feywild Connection

    Deception, Survival

  • Fisher

    Ghosts of Saltmarsh

    Harvest the Water

    History, Survival

    Social, Utility

  • Folk Hero

    Basic Rules

    Rustic Hospitality

    Animal Handling, Survival

    Social, Utility

  • Folk Hero - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Rustic Hospitality

    Animal Handling, Survival

    Social, Utility

  • Gambler

    Acquisitions Incorporated

    Never Tell Me the Odds

    Deception, Insight

  • Gate Warden

    Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

    Planar Infusion

    Persuasion, Survival

  • Giant Foundling

    Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

    Strike of the Giants

    Intimidation, Survival

  • Gladiator

    Player’s Handbook

    By Popular Demand

    Acrobatics, Performance

    Social, Combat

  • Golgari Agent

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Undercity Paths

    Nature, Survival

    Guild

  • Gruul Anarch

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Rubblebelt Refuge

    Animal Handling, Athletics

    Guild

  • Guild Artisan - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Guild Membership

    Insight, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Guild Artisan / Guild Merchant

    Player’s Handbook

    Guild Membership

    Insight, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Haunted One

    Curse of Strahd: Character Options

    Heart of Darkness

    Arcana, Investigation, Religion, Survival, Arcana, Investigation, Religion, Survival

    Utility, Combat

  • Hermit

    Player’s Handbook

    Discovery

    Medicine, Religion

    Healing, Social, Utility

  • Hermit - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Discovery

    Medicine, Religion

    Healing, Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Cannith)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Deneith)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Ghallanda)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Jorasco)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Kundarak)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Lyrandar)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Medani)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Orien)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Phiarlan)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Sivis)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Tharashk)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Thuranni)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • House Agent (Vadalis)

    Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

    House Connections

    Investigation, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Inheritor

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Inheritance

    Survival, Arcana, History, Religion

    Social

  • Investigator

    Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

    Official Inquiry

    Investigation, Insight, Perception, Investigation, Insight, Perception

    Social, Exploration

  • Izzet Engineer

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Urban Infrastructure

    Arcana, Investigation

    Guild

  • Knight

    Player’s Handbook

    Retainers

    History, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Knight of Solamnia

    Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

    Squire of Solamnia

    Athletics, Survival

  • Knight of the Order

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Knightly Regard

    Persuasion, Arcana, History, Nature, Religion

    Social

  • Lorehold Student

    Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

    Lorehold Initiate

    History, Religion

  • Mage of High Sorcery

    Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

    Initiate of High Sorcery

    Arcana, History

  • Marine

    Ghosts of Saltmarsh

    Steady

    Athletics, Survival

    Exploration, Combat

  • Mercenary Veteran

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Mercenary Life

    Athletics, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Noble

    Basic Rules

    Position of Privilege

    History, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Noble - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Position of Privilege

    History, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Orzhov Representative

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Leverage

    Intimidation, Religion

    Guild

  • Outlander

    Player’s Handbook

    Wanderer

    Athletics, Survival

    Social, Utility

  • Outlander - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Wanderer

    Athletics, Survival

    Social, Utility

  • Pirate

    Player’s Handbook

    Bad Reputation

    Athletics, Perception

    Social, Utility, Exploration

  • Plaintiff

    Acquisitions Incorporated

    Legalese

    Medicine, Persuasion

  • Planar Philosopher

    Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

    Conviction

    Arcana

  • Prismari Student

    Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

    Prismari Initiate

    Acrobatics, Performance

  • Quandrix Student

    Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

    Quandrix Initiate

    Arcana, Nature

  • Rakdos Cultist

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Fearsome Reputation

    Acrobatics, Performance

    Guild

  • Rewarded

    The Book of Many Things

    Fortune’s Favor

    Insight, Persuasion

    Buff

  • Rival Intern

    Acquisitions Incorporated

    Inside Informant

    History, Investigation

  • Ruined

    The Book of Many Things

    Still Standing

    Stealth, Survival

    Buff

  • Rune Carver

    Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

    Rune Shaper

    History, Perception

  • Sage

    Basic Rules

    Researcher

    Arcana, History

    Social, Utility

  • Sage - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Researcher

    Arcana, History

    Social, Utility

  • Sailor

    Player’s Handbook

    Ship’s Passage

    Athletics, Perception

    Social, Utility, Exploration

  • Sailor - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Ship’s Passage

    Athletics, Perception

    Social, Utility, Exploration

  • Selesnya Initiate

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Conclave’s Shelter

    Nature, Persuasion

    Guild

  • Shipwright

    Ghosts of Saltmarsh

    I’ll Patch It!

    History, Perception

    Utility

  • Silverquill Student

    Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

    Silverquill Initiate

    Intimidation, Persuasion

  • Simic Scientist

    Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

    Researcher

    Arcana, Medicine

    Guild

  • Smuggler

    Ghosts of Saltmarsh

    Down Low

    Athletics, Deception

  • Soldier

    Basic Rules

    Military Rank

    Athletics, Intimidation

    Social, Exploration, Combat

  • Soldier - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    Military Rank

    Athletics, Intimidation

    Social, Exploration, Combat

  • Urban Bounty Hunter

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Ear to the Ground

    Stealth, Insight, Deception, Persuasion, Stealth, Insight, Deception, Persuasion

    Social, Utility

  • Urchin

    Player’s Handbook

    City Secrets

    Sleight of Hand, Stealth

    Social, Utility, Deception

  • Urchin - Baldur’s Gate

    Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

    City Secrets

    Sleight of Hand, Stealth

    Social, Utility, Deception

  • Uthgardt Tribe Member

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Uthgardt Heritage

    Athletics, Survival

    Social, Utility

  • Waterdhavian Noble

    Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

    Kept in Style

    History, Persuasion

    Social

  • Wildspacer

    Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

    Wildspace Adaptation

    Athletics, Survival

  • Witchlight Hand

    The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

    Carnival Fixture

    Performance, Sleight of Hand

  • Witherbloom Student

    Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

    Witherbloom Initiate

    Nature, Survival

Character Backgrounds for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) - D&D Beyond (2024)

FAQs

How to get more backgrounds on D&D Beyond? ›

Currently they're only available as pre-order bonuses for various books. They're not accessible any other way at the moment. Establish boundaries. And if anyone crosses them, speak up.

Tell Me More ›
What is the background dnd character sheet? ›

Your character's background reveals where you came from, how you became an adventurer, and your place in the world. Your fighter might have been a courageous knig⁠ht or a grizzled so⁠ldier. Your wizard could have been a sage or an artisan.

Read The Full Story ›
How do you customize backgrounds in D&D beyond? ›

Look for the cogwheel next to the character's name. Clicking the cogwheel will open up the sidebar with a list of options. Here, you can see the options "Change Frame," "Change Backdrop," and "Change Theme." Selecting "Change Frame" will give you a list of the frames available to you.

Continue Reading ›
How do I download D&D beyond character sheet? ›

Just open your character sheet, then click on the character icon to open the side menu, and at the bottom of that menu is the Export to PDF option.

Discover More Details ›
What background gives stealth 5e? ›

Stealth (DEX)
  • Criminal.
  • Spy.
  • Urchin.
  • Urban Bounty Hunter.
  • Iron Route Bandit.
  • Phlan Insurgent.
  • Hillsfar Smuggler.
  • Secret Identity.

Explore More ›
How long should a character's backstory be? ›

When it comes to a backstory, shorter is often better. As you write the backstory for a character, try to keep it as short and to the point as you can. Though it may be tempting to go on about a character's past, having a long backstory can often distract the reader from present events and bog down your narrative.

View More ›
What makes a good character background? ›

Make sure character backstories are relevant

Reveal only enough of your character's past to make your story make sense. Character choices must be believable and align with your story. Your goal should be to make readers forget they're reading because they're immersed in the story.

View Details ›
What should a D&D backstory contain? ›

Your character's background should ground them into the campaign setting and inform their personality and motivations. Speaking of which, determining what your character's motivations are is the next step, and a massively important one at that.

Get More Info ›
What is the best background for D&D? ›

One of the classic D&D Backgrounds from the original Player's Handbook, the Outlander is still one of the most useful and powerful backgrounds. It's especially apt if this character is traveling through the wilderness or has chosen a class like Druid or Barbarian that's naturally connected to the outdoors.

See Details ›
What are the 5E backgrounds? ›

Your background is meant to represent your character's life before they became an adventurer. All characters must select a background when the character is first created. Each background gives an assortment of skill and tool proficiencies, alongside some extra starting equipment at 1st level.

View Details ›

How tall is a human in D&D 5E? ›

Size: Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium. Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice.

Explore More ›
Can you combine backgrounds in DND? ›

Backgrounds Can be Mixed and Matched to Create Something Original. Backgrounds are actually quite modular in their design. Every background typically gets two skill proficiencies, two tool or language proficiencies, and a few small items.

View More ›
How many backgrounds can you have in D&D? ›

D&D: The Player's Handbook Has 13 Backgrounds – Here's A Side Quest For Each Of Them. One of the best ways to build immersion is with a personalized side quest. Here's one for each background in the PHB.

See More ›
How do I make my DND campaign more immersive? ›

Engage all the senses by incorporating details about sights, sounds, smells, and textures. This level of world building helps players visualize the environment and immerse themselves in the fantasy. It also makes it easier for your players to engage in role playing.

Show Me More ›
How do I add content to D&D beyond? ›

One way is to Invite the creator of the homebrew to Join a campaign, and then have them PM you the link to the homebrew. You can then follow the link and add it to your collection, and then the creator can Leave the campaign, and you'll still have it in your collection for sharing with your campaigns.

Discover More Details ›
How do you add portraits in D&D beyond? ›

You can access the portrait upload from the Manage Portrait window. The recommended size is 150 x 150 pixels. You'll need to use jpg, png, or gif file types.

Show Me More ›
Top Articles
Bikini voor dames | Mix & match bikini's | Bikini Sets |
123Movies Tamil
Where To Download Pokemon Diamond And pearl For Visual Boy Advance? - Answers
Krunker.io . Online Games . BrightestGames.com
Adriel Alvarado Jr Cause of Death: A Controversial Case of Self-Defense
Tutu Alvarado Cause of Death: A Tragic Tale of Love and Violence
Swgoh Wampa Mods
Emuaid Lawsuit
Space Bar Clicker | test spacebar clicking speed with spacebar counter
Spacebar Counter 10 Seconds
Leaf and Bud - Ann Arbor Dispensary | Ann Arbor MI
Leaf and Bud - Detroit Customer Reviews from Leafly
Latest Posts
Edison | Rotten Tomatoes
Bikini kopen? Ruim 1470 bikini's en gratis ruilen
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 5781

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.