D&D 5.5e Backgrounds¶
Your character's background represents the formative experiences—the place, people, and occupation—that shaped who they were before embarking on a life of adventure. Each background includes a brief narrative you can customize with your own details and flourishes.
Parts of a Background¶
Every background provides the following:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Ability Scores | Choose how to distribute three ability score increases: boost one score by 2 and another by 1, or increase all three by 1. No score can exceed 20. |
| Feat | You gain a specified Origin feat (Feats). |
| Skill Proficiencies | You become proficient in two specified skills. |
| Tool Proficiency | You gain proficiency with one tool, either a specific one or one selected from the Artisan's Tools category. |
| Equipment | You choose either a specific equipment package or 50 GP to spend as you wish. |
Source: Player's Handbook
| Background |
|---|
| Acolyte |
| Artisan |
| Charlatan |
| Criminal |
| Entertainer |
| Farmer |
| Guard |
| Guide |
| Hermit |
| Merchant |
| Noble |
| Sage |
| Sailor |
| Scribe |
| Soldier |
| Wayfarer |
5e (2014) = 2014 rules. 5.5e (2024) = 2024 revised rules. (5e 2014) indicates backgrounds from the 2014 rules and other sources, not part of the 2024 core.
Common¶
AL: Curse of Strahd¶
| Background |
|---|
| Black Fist Double Agent |
| Dragon Casualty |
| Iron Route Bandit |
| Phlan Insurgent |
| Stojanow Prisoner |
| Ticklebelly Nomad |
AL: Mulmaster¶
| Background |
|---|
| Caravan Specialist |
| Earthspur Miner |
| Harborfolk |
| Mulmaster Aristocrat |
| Phlan Refugee |
AL: Hillsfar¶
| Background |
|---|
| Cormanthor Refugee |
| Gate Urchin |
| Hillsfar Merchant |
| Hillsfar Smuggler |
| Secret Identity |
| Shade Fanatic |
| Trade Sheriff |
Acquisitions Inc.¶
| Background |
|---|
| Celebrity Adventurer's Scion |
| Failed Merchant |
| Gambler |
| Plaintiff |
| Rival Intern |
Amonkhet (Plane Shift)¶
| Background |
|---|
| Dissenter |
| Initiate |
| Vizier |
Dragonlance¶
| Background |
|---|
| Knight of Solamnia |
| Mage of High Sorcery |
Innistrad (Plane Shift)¶
| Background |
|---|
| Inquisitor |
Planescape¶
| Background |
|---|
| Gate Warden |
| Planar Philosopher |
Ravnica¶
| Background |
|---|
| Azorius Functionary |
| Boros Legionnaire |
| Dimir Operative |
| Golgari Agent |
| Gruul Anarch |
| Izzet Engineer |
| Orzhov Representative |
| Rakdos Cultist |
| Selesnya Initiate |
| Simic Scientist |
Strixhaven¶
| Background |
|---|
| Lorehold Student |
| Prismari Student |
| Quandrix Student |
| Silverquill Student |
| Witherbloom Student |
Wildemount¶
| Background |
|---|
| Grinner |
| Volstrucker Agent |
Spelljammer¶
| Background |
|---|
| Astral Drifter |
| Wildspacer |