Dungeons & Dragons: Best Backgrounds From Adventures And Modules
Summary
- Consider unique backgrounds like an archaeologist or an astral Drifter for DND 5e characters.
- Discuss with your DM about adding Ability Score Improvements to legacy backgrounds.
- Explore backgrounds like the investigator or the athlete for lore-specific or thematic campaigns.
When it comes to selecting a background for your Dungeons & Dragons character, there's no shortage of great options to be found in the 2024 Player's Handbook. However, there are also many alternative background options from various 5e modules and standalone adventures that, if tweaked, can be ported over to normal campaigns. You can also choose these backgrounds if your party is about to use the module for an adventure.
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PostsEither way, when it comes to character design, don't ignore some of these rarer backgrounds for DND 5e. Here are the best backgrounds for characters from modules or standalone adventures.
It's important to note that some of these backgrounds adhere to legacy rules, meaning they don't come with given Ability Score Improvements. Talk to your DM about adding Ability Score Improvements to each of these backgrounds.
We have added 'Suggested Ability Score Improvements' for each background.
10 Archaeologist
Vault of Dragons via Wizards of the CoastSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity
Proficiencies
History, Survival, Cartographer's Tools or Navigator's Tools
Features
Historical Knowledge
The Archaeologist background comes from the Tomb of Annihilation module, and is perfect for living out your Indiana Jones fantasy. Talk to your DM about improving your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Dexterity modifiers with this background. This background is ideal for lore-heavy campaigns thanks to its Historical Knowledge feature.
Whenever you enter a ruin, dungeon, or other old structure, you can immediately infer what its intended purpose is and the history behind it, including who built it. You can also appraise valuables inside, which can help gather valuable treasure to sell later on.
9 Planar Philosopher
A Portal to the Beastlands by Axel DefoisSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
Proficiencies
Arcana, plus two additional skills
Features
Conviction
This background is ideal for a multiverse campaign, particularly one using the Planescape module, which is where the full details on this background can be found. The idea behind this background is that you are well-versed with extraplanar travel and are associated with a faction of Sigil, the City of Doors.
You can port this background over to another campaign relatively easily, as long as you and your DM work together to find a justification for your presence in the Material Plane, as well as your faction's. Consult the Planescape module for more information about each of these factions.
8 Astral Drifter
Astral Projection via Wizards of the CoastSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Proficiencies
Insight, Religion
Features
Divine Contact
This background is ideal for backstory creation and comes from the Spelljammer: Adventures in Space module. With this background, you experienced the wonders of a deity or extraplanar being out in the far reaches of Wildspace. Because of this encounter, you have special insight into the cosmos, and age more slowly than your compatriots.
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PostsEven if your campaign is not set in Wildspace, you can easily use this background so long as your party is interested in the Outer Planes or has a heavy religious focus. Consider selecting a specific deity for your Divine Contact feature to make this background ring.
7 Investigator
Magic Spellbook via Wizards of the CoastSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity
Proficiencies
Two from Insight, Investigation, or Perception, Disguise Kit, Thieves' Tools
Features
Official Inquiry
This background comes from the Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft module, and is perfect for horror-based campaigns and adventures. With this background, you are gifted with a naturally curious mind, relentlessly pursuing the truth. A case from your past still haunts you to this day, as it remains unsolved.
Your Official Inquiry feature is especially helpful in mystery or horror-based campaigns, as you can always gain access to the places and information that you need. However, you can also have fun deciding if local law enforcement is helpful to you or thinks of you as a bit of a vigilante.
6 Haunted One
Zombie Hoard by Andrey KuzinskiySuggested Ability Score Improvements
Intelligence, Constitution, Wisdom
Proficiencies
Two from Arcana, Investigation, Religion, or Survival
Features
Heart of Darkness
This next background is also well-suited to horror campaigns, which makes sense, given that it comes from the Curse of Strahd adventure module. With this background, your character is haunted by a particular event from your past that still torments you to this day. You have a tough resolve, but darkness follows you wherever you go.
Your Heart of Darkness feature makes it so that fellow adventurers and NPCs can see that a deep darkness dwells within you. People naturally want to help you, though they may also fear you. However, having that extra support can prove helpful against a terrifying foe like Strahd von Zarovich.
5 Athlete
Mythic Odyssey of Theros Cover Art by Jason Rainville & Kevin TongSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Strength, Dexterity, Constitution
Proficiencies
Acrobatics, Athletics, Land Vehicles
Features
Echoes of Victory
The athlete background is a really fun and unique background that comes from the Mythic Odyssey of Theros module, which takes its inspiration from the world of Greek mythology. With this background, you are essentially a naturally gifted athletic prodigy, capable of superhuman feats of strength and athleticism. This is a great background for any martial class.
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PostsPlus, the Echoes of Victory feature allows you to potentially get free shelter, food, and other survival resources due to your glorious reputation. While, of course, this background is best suited for Theros, you can easily port this over to any other campaign.
4 Gambler
Volo via Wizards of the CoastSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Intelligence, Charisma, Dexterity
Proficiencies
Deception, Insight, One Gaming Set
Features
Never Tell Me The Odds
This next background comes from the Acquisitions Incorporated module, which brings the dreary world of nine-to-five jobs and corporate life to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. With this background, you essentially take on the role of a grifter who can play Lady Luck like a fiddle.
This background is great for high-Charisma characters and classes like rogues, warlocks, paladins, and sorcerers. Additionally, this background's feature, Never Tell Me The Odds, allows you to potentially turn the tide of luck in your favor during downtime activities that involve games of chance. However, this feature is at the DM's discretion, so use it sparingly.
3 Feylost
The Wild Beyond The Witchlight By Katerina LadonSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Charisma, Dexterity, Wisdom
Proficiencies
Deception, Survival, One Musical Instrument
Features
Feywild Visitor
This background is perfect for campaigns that often dabble in the Fey Realm. This background, which comes from the Wild Beyond the Witchlight, assumes that you were taken to the Fey Realm as a small child and were perhaps even stolen from your home. Because of this, you are highly in tune with the Fey Realm.
Similar to the astral drifter background, this background grants you a Feywild Visitor feature, which means that, on occasion, you can commune with a spirit of the Fey Realm. This creature can offer insights into the Fey Realm or any number of things. Or, they could be tricking you, which can prove fun for DM roleplay.
2 Cloistered Scholar
Candlekeep Mysteries Cover Art by Clint CearleySuggested Ability Score Improvements
Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity
Proficiencies
History, plus two from Arcana, Nature, and Religion
Features
Library Access
This background is also fantastic for lore-heavy or roleplay-heavy campaigns, where you're less likely to be playing a martial class. This background assumes you have a deep connection to Candlekeep, one of the greatest libraries on the Sword Coast. You can also be associated with another specific institution of learning if you want.
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Posts 1With this background, not only are you supremely intelligent, but you can gain access to other great sources of intelligence with the Library Access feature. This feature allows you to waive fees or other barriers to entry to libraries, including a facility like Candlekeep.
1 Faceless
Rogue by Bryan SolaSuggested Ability Score Improvements
Charisma, Constitution, Dexterity
Proficiencies
Deception, Intimidation, Disguise Kits
Features
Dual Personality
This background comes from the Descent Into Avernus adventure. When you assume this background, you become a master of disguise, even going so far as to leave your old self behind in favor of someone better, stronger, and perhaps more heroic than you previously were.
This background is great for developing complex roleplay. When you don your alternate persona, you are unrecognizable to others, even those who may know that you are truly someone else. You can, in essence, inhabit two completely different characters in this way, making this background great for rogues and other sneaky characters.
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9.0/10 Franchise Dungeons & Dragons Original Release Date 1974 Publisher Wizards of the Coast Designer E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson Player Count 2+ Expand Collapse
