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Insight Horizon Media

How many backgrounds does 5e have?

Author

Robert Miller

Published Mar 18, 2026

How many backgrounds does 5e have?

What Should I Pick? We’ve only covered the basic core backgrounds here, there are functionally infinite options given that you can mix and match the 60 or so official backgrounds, and hundreds of unofficial ones.

What are the best backgrounds 5e?

These are the best D&D backgrounds:

  • Noble.
  • Soldier.
  • Rakdos Cultist.
  • Faceless.
  • Criminal.
  • Entertainer.
  • Urban Bounty Hunter.
  • Hermit.

What are all the backgrounds in D&D?

Official Backgrounds

NameSkill Profs.Languages
Clan CrafterHistory, InsightDwarven/one of your choice
Cloistered ScholarHistory, plus your choice of one from among Arcana, Nature, and Religion2 of your choice
Cormanthor RefugeeNature, SurvivalElvish
CourtierInsight, Persuasion2 of your choice

Can you make your own background 5e?

Yes, custom backgrounds are allowed in Adventurer’s League. Since the PHB explicitly states you can customize backgrounds, you can create your own for your AL game. And, that’s about it for D&D 5e custom backgrounds.

What backgrounds give thieves tools?

Proficiency with Thieves’ Tools

  • Artificer class.
  • Rogue class (Expertise gives double proficiency bonus)
  • Criminal background.
  • Urchin background.
  • Urban Bounty Hunter background (Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide)
  • Skilled feat.
  • Training (PHB 187)

What backgrounds give languages 5e?

Backgrounds Breakdown

  • Acolyte – Two of Your Choice.
  • Charlatan – None.
  • Criminal – None.
  • Entertainer – None.
  • Folk Hero – None.
  • Guild Artisan – One of Your Choice.
  • Hermit – One of Your Choice.
  • Noble – One of Your Choice.

How do you pick a background in 5e?

To customize a background, you can replace one feature with any other one, choose any two skills, and choose a total of two tool proficiencies or languages from the sample backgrounds. You can either use the equipment package from your background or spend coin on gear as described in the Equipment section.

What background is best for Bard?

A Charlatan background for a bard seems like it would go against the goal, but the Charlatan is a surprisingly good choice for a bard. With skill proficiencies in Deception and Sleight of Hand, you can play a sneakier kind of bard, maybe you’re secretly a bard that can’t carry a tune to save your life.

How do I make a D&D backstory?

Why a backstory?

  1. Tip 1: Give your character a unique motivation.
  2. Tip 2: Come up with a backstory that shows development.
  3. Tip 3: Come up with a backstory that shows the world.
  4. Tip 4: Do Not Make Your Character Backstory Too Long.
  5. Tip 5: Write in First Person, Past Tense.
  6. Tip 6: Make Your Character’s Backstory Believable.

What backgrounds give you tool proficiencies?

The Folk Hero Background gives you proficiency with a set of Artisan’s Tools of your choosing, and in the Equipment section it specifically states that you own a set of the tools for the proficiency that you chose.

How does D&D determine background?

Every story has a beginning. 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.

Do I need a background DND?

Choosing a pre-written background is not obligatory You actually need active DM participation only if you want to create a custom feature: Finally, choose two personality traits, one ideal, one bond, and one flaw. If you can’t find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one.

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