5e24:Background
[1][2][3] Your character’s background is a collection of characteristics that represent the place and occupation that were most formative before your character embarked on a life of adventure.
Parts of a Background
[1] A background includes the following parts
Ability Scores
[1] A background lists three of your character’s ability scores. Increase one by 2 and another one by 1, or increase all three by 1. None of these increases can raise a score above 20.
Feat
[1] A background gives your character a specified Origin Feat (described in “Feats”).
Skill Proficiencies
[1] A background gives your character proficiency in two specified skills.
Tool Proficiency
[1] Each background gives a character proficiency with one tool — either a specific tool or one chosen from the Artisan's Tools category. Tools are detailed in “Equipment.”
Equipment
[1] Each background offers a choice between a package of equipment and 50 GP.
Background List
4 Backgrounds for 5th ed. (2024), official and unofficial.
| Background | Abilities | Feat | Skills | Tool | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acolyte | Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma | Magic Initiate | Insight, Religion | Calligrapher's Supplies | Canon | SRD 5.2 |
| Criminal | Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence | Alert | Sleight of Hand, Stealth | Thieves' Tools | Canon | SRD 5.2 |
| Sage | Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom | Magic Initiate | Arcana, History | Calligrapher's Supplies | Canon | SRD 5.2 |
| Soldier | Strength, Dexterity, Constitution | Savage Attacker | Athletics, Intimidation | Gaming Set | Canon | SRD 5.2 |
Backgrounds By Ability Increase
Backgrounds By Skill
Sources and Notes
see individual entries for source
- Wizards RPG Team. SRD 5.2 (Dungeons and Dragons 5e 2024) (2025-04-22). Wizards of the Coast. p. 83. Licensed: CC-BY. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
- Wizards RPG Team. Player's Handbook (5e24) (Dungeons and Dragons 5e 2024) (2024-09-17). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 9780786969821. p. 177. ↑
- Wizards RPG Team. 2024 D&D Free Rules (Dungeons and Dragons 5e 2024) (2024-09-03). Wizards of the Coast, D&D Beyond. ↑
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Attribution:SRD 5.2 CC-BY
This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 (“SRD 5.2”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode].