D&D Character Creation: Choosing a D&D Background

So you've picked your species and class, rolled your stats, and now you're staring at a massive list of backgrounds wondering which one will make your character S H I N E.

The right background should complement the class you choose while adding a little extra oomph and can help your DM to better understand who your character was before they started dungeon-crawling for a living. More than that, your character's background gives you skill proficiencies, tool proficiencies, languages, starting equipment, and most importantly, a feature that can create some amazing roleplay opportunities.

THB tips for choosing a background

#1: Don't duplicate 

If your class already gives you proficiency in Stealth, picking a background that also grants Stealth is a little wasteful. Look for backgrounds that fill gaps in your character's skill set instead.

source Dimension 20 wiki

#2: Focus on your character concept 

The most mechanically perfect background won't matter if it doesn't fit your character concept. Maybe you want a change from the standard barbarian format (low intelligence and high as fuck strength stats)? Give your character the noble background and now you've got a wealthy barbarian from a well-known family that can kick ass on their own like Princess Foehammer; a half-orc barbarian from Dimension20's 'Dungeons & Drag Queens' (played by the hilarious Alaska Thunderfuck).

Rule #3: Tools matter more than you think 

Many new players ignore tool proficiencies, but they can be INCREDIBLY useful. Thieves' tools open locks, forgery kits create fake documents, and herbalism kits can save your party gold on healing potions.

Class-by-class background guide

Barbarian

Top Picks: Folk Hero, Outlander, Soldier

• Folk Hero: proficiency with artisan tools and an animal handling skill proficiency which is PERFECT for a barbarian with a rustic, cottagecore past

• Outlander: skill proficiencies in survival and athletics; ideal for a wilderness warrior

... did someone say warrior?

• Soldier: skill proficiencies in athletics and intimidation + proficiencies with gaming sets and vehicles; now all you'll need is a Mad Max-inspired campaign set in Avernus ...

Tool Focus: Carpenter's tools (Folk Hero) or herbalism kit (Outlander) for practical utility

Bard

Top Picks: Entertainer, Guild Artisan, Noble

• Entertainer: the top and most common choice because it gives performance and disguise kit proficiencies

• Guild Artisan: insight and persuasion + artisan tools; this would work for a traveling bard who sells "ye olde merch" in the back of the tavern near the privies after every performance

• Noble: history and persuasion + the powerful position of privilege feature (legacy)

Tool Focus: Since you already have musical instruments covered by your class, consider disguise kit or forgery kit for some rogue-ish versatility

Cleric

Top Picks: Acolyte, Hermit, Noble

• Acolyte: gives you insight + religion skill proficiencies, and the shelter of the faithful feature (legacy) which provides free healing and care for you and your party ... among other benefits (legacy)

• Hermit: medicine and religion with an herbalism kit to create potions of healing

• Noble: position of privilege feature (legacy) offers social skills your cleric might otherwise lack

Tool Focus: Herbalism kit (Hermit) if you're doing a standard healing Cleric build

Druid

Top Picks: Hermit, Outlander, Folk Hero

• Hermit: provides medicine and herbalism kit for a nature-loving healer

• Outlander: survival and athletics proficiencies with wilderness expertise

• Folk Hero: animal handling and artisan tools for a community-connected "farmer's market" druid

Tool Focus: Herbalism kit (Hermit) or carpenter's tools (Folk Hero) for practical wilderness utility

Fighter

Top Picks: Soldier, Folk Hero

• Soldier: the natural choice with athletics, intimidation, and influence over other soldiers (legacy)

• Folk Hero: provides useful skills like animal handling and you can count on commoners in town to help you with a place to rest or hide with the rustic hospitality feature (legacy)

Tool Focus: Gaming set or vehicles (land) (Soldier) for zoom-zooming around town in a cart

Monk

Top Picks: Hermit, Acolyte, Folk Hero

• Hermit: for a more reclusive Monk backstory; medicine and herbalism kit

• Acolyte: religious knowledge and the suuuper helpful shelter of the faithful feature (legacy)

• Folk Hero: a more "reluctant hero" vibe with practical skills

Tool Focus: Herbalism kit (Hermit) or calligrapher's supplies (Acolyte) so you can craft some pretty handy spell scrolls

Paladin

Top Picks: Noble, Soldier, Acolyte

• Noble: mostly for the position of privilege if your Paladin's backstory involves experience in a noble's court OR if they were sent on a holy mission to take down an immoral king

• Soldier: athletics and intimidation to back up that divine smite

• Acolyte: solid choice if your Paladin is the only healer in the party; shelter of the faithful feature (legacy) to reach out to local priests for assistance and, of course, free healing

Tool Focus: Calligrapher's supplies (Acolyte) to create spell scrolls

Ranger

Top Picks: Outlander, Folk Hero, Hermit

• Outlander: ideal with survival, athletics, but the real star is the wanderer feature which basically makes you the ultimate survivalist

• Folk Hero: provides animal handling and community connections

• Hermit: medicine and herbalism kit for a ranger who comes from a more secluded background

Tool Focus: Herbalism kit for healing or carpenter's tools for wilderness crafting

Rogue

Top Picks: Criminal, Guild Artisan, Charlatan

• Criminal gives thieves' tools and Criminal Contact—classic rogue setup

• Guild Artisan offers legitimate trade skills with social benefits

• Charlatan provides forgery kit and False Identity for master manipulators

Forgery kits are perfect for a rogue on the run...er, I mean, on VACATION

Tool Focus: Thieves' tools (Criminal), forgery kit (Charlatan), or any artisan tools for cover identities

Sorcerer

Top Picks: Noble, Guild Artisan

• Noble: social skills and resources your sorcerer needs; persuasion and history skill proficiencies AND a decent amount of starting gold

• Guild Artisan: offers practical skills (insight, persuasion) and trade connections

Tool Focus: choice of any artisan tools for magical focuses (Guild Artisan)

Warlock

Top Picks: Hermit, Charlatan, Acolyte

• Hermit: explains how you discovered your patron in isolation

• Charlatan: fits the "deal with dark powers" theme perfectly

• Acolyte: works for warlocks who served their patron religiously

Tool Focus: Disguise kit (Charlatan) for maximum deception or magic initiate feat (Acolyte) to gain two cantrips and 1 spell of your choice from either the Cleric, Druid or Wizard spell lists

Wizard

Top Picks: Sage, Hermit

• Sage: perfect for bookworm wizards since it gives proficiencies in arcana and investigation

• Hermit: works for self-taught or reclusive wizards; basically if you're making Hagrid for D&D, give him this background

Tool Focus: Calligrapher's supplies (Sage) for magical research

Pro Tips for New Players

Don't overlook social backgrounds like Noble, Guild Artisan, and Folk Hero; these backgrounds have features that can significantly impact the campaign (especially for those 'charisma-challenged' characters).

Consider your party composition: if no one else has proficiency in crucial skills like investigation, perception, or medicine, keep that in mind for your character build.

Talk to your DM: some DMs love backgrounds that tie into their campaign setting, so try asking if certain backgrounds would work particularly well in their world.