Backgrounds: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:28, 12 January 2025

Backgrounds are a trait which describes a character's life outside of their career as an adventurer. Each background grants characters two skill proficiencies and determines what inspires them. Backgrounds also have narrative effects, including options in dialogue and the opinions or attitude of others towards the character.

Each origin character, including the Dark Urge, has a pre-selected background that cannot be changed. Custom characters select a background on character creation. A character may only have one background, and it cannot be changed once the game is started.

Acolyte[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Insight, Religion
Characters: Shadowheart, Zenith Feur'sel

Charlatan[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Deception, Sleight of Hand
Characters: Astarion, Kree Derryck

Criminal[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Deception, Stealth
Characters: Ver'yll Wenkiir

Entertainer[edit | edit source]

Improves: Acrobatics, Performance Characters: Brinna Brightsong, Alfira

Folk Hero[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival
Characters: Minsc, Wyll, Danton

Guild Artisan[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion
Characters: Jacelyn

Haunted One (Dark Urge only)[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Medicine, Intimidation
Characters: The Dark Urge

Noble[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: History, Persuasion
Characters: Minthara, Kerz

Outlander[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Athletics, Survival
Characters: Halsin, Karlach, Eldra Luthrinn, Sina'zith

Sage[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Arcana, History
Characters: Gale, Sir Fuzzalump

Soldier[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation
Characters: Jaheira, Lae'zel, Varanna Sunblossom

Urchin[edit | edit source]

Skill proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Characters: Maddala Deadeye

Removed and unused[edit | edit source]

Some backgrounds present in the pre-release versions of the game still exist in the game files, but are otherwise unusable without modifications.

Differences to the tabletop game[edit | edit source]

Most of the backgrounds used in Baldur's Gate 3 (including the removed Hermit and Sailor, above) are drawn from the 2014 Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. The exception is the Haunted One, which was introduced with the popular horror adventure Curse of Strahd, and which is the only background to provide different skill proficiencies to the tabletop version.

In the tabletop game, backgrounds also provide additional benefits, including:

If a background provides proficiency in an already chosen skill, language, or tool, you may choose any other proficiency of the same type to replace it;
Non-skill proficiencies not used in Baldur's Gate 3, like languages, tools, vehicles, games or musical instruments;
Non-adventuring equipment, like clothing, trinkets or tools; and
A "background feature" providing the character with one or more abilities usually not tied to mechanics, like an Acolyte being able to request shelter at a temple of their god or an Outlander being able to forage for food without a die roll, and having a very good sense of direction.

These additional benefits are all replaced in Baldur's Gate 3 by the specific inspiration conditions and special options in dialogue.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{ up to date | 2023-08-08 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->
 {{PageSeo
 | description = Backgrounds define the past of a character, which grants them two skill Proficiencies and determines what inspires them.
 | image = Background Acolyte Icon.png
 }}
-'''Backgrounds''' grant characters two [[Skills|skill proficiencies]] and determine what [[Inspiration|inspires]] them. Each [[Origin characters|origin character]], including the [[The Dark Urge (Origin)|Dark Urge]], has a pre-selected background that cannot be changed. Custom origin characters select a background on [[Character creation|character creation]]. A character may only have one background, and it cannot be changed after character creation.
+'''Backgrounds''' are a trait which describes a character's life outside of their career as an adventurer. Each background grants characters two [[Skills|skill proficiencies]] and determines what [[Inspiration|inspires]] them. Backgrounds also have narrative effects, including options in dialogue and the opinions or attitude of others towards the character.
+Each [[Origin characters|origin character]], including the [[The Dark Urge (Origin)|Dark Urge]], has a pre-selected background that cannot be changed. Custom characters select a background on [[character creation]]. A character may only have one background, and it cannot be changed once the game is started.
 __NOTOC__
-= Acolyte =
+== Acolyte ==
-[[File:Background Acolyte Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Acolyte|180x180px]]
+{{Main|Acolyte}}
+{{Quote background|Acolyte|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Insight]], [[Religion]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Shadowheart]], [[Zenith Feur'sel]]''
+}}
-{{Q|"You have spent your life in service to a temple, learning sacred rites and providing sacrifices to the god or gods you worship. Serving the gods and discovering their sacred works will guide you to greatness."}}
+{{clear}}
-''See also: [[Acolyte]]''
+== Charlatan ==
+{{Main|Charlatan}}
+{{Quote background|Charlatan|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Deception]], [[Sleight of Hand]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Astarion]], [[Kree Derryck]]''
+}}
-''Improves: [[Insight]], [[Religion]]''
+== Criminal ==
+{{Main|Criminal}}
-''Characters: [[Shadowheart]]''
+{{Quote background|Criminal|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
-= Charlatan =
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Deception]], [[Stealth]]''
-[[File:Background Charlatan Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Charlatan|180x180px]]
+* ''Characters: [[Ver'yll Wenkiir]]''
+}}
-{{Q|"You’re an expert in manipulation, prone to exaggeration and more than happy to profit from it. Bending the truth and turning allies against each other will lead to greater success down the road."}}
-''See also: [[Charlatan]]''
-''Improves: [[Deception]], [[Sleight of Hand]]''
-''Characters: [[Astarion]]''
-= Criminal =
-[[File:Background Criminal Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Criminal|180x180px]]
-{{Q|"You have a history of breaking the law and survive by leveraging less-than-legal connections. Profiting from criminal enterprise will lead to greater opportunities in the future." }}
-''See also: [[Criminal]]''
-''Improves: [[Deception]], [[Stealth]]''
-''Characters: None''
-= Entertainer =
-[[File:Background Entertainer Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Entertainer|180x180px]]
-{{Q|"You live to sway and subvert your audience, engaging common crowds and high society alike. Preserving art and bringing joy to the hapless and downtrodden heightens your charismatic aura." }}
-''See also: [[Entertainer]]''
+== Entertainer ==
+{{Main|Entertainer}}
+{{Quote background|Entertainer|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
 ''Improves: [[Acrobatics]], [[Performance]]''
+''Characters: [[Brinna Brightsong]], [[Alfira]]''
+}}
-''Characters: None''
+== Folk Hero ==
+{{Main|Folk Hero}}
+{{Quote background|Folk Hero|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Animal Handling]], [[Survival]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Minsc]], [[Wyll]], [[Danton]]''
+}}
-= Folk Hero =
+== Guild Artisan ==
-[[File:Background Folk Hero Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Folk Hero|180x180px]]
+{{Main|Guild Artisan}}
+{{Quote background|Guild Artisan|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Insight]], [[Persuasion]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Jacelyn]]''
+}}
-{{Q|"You’re the champion of the common people, challenging tyrants and monsters to protect the helpless. Saving innocents in imminent danger will make your legend grow." }}
+== Haunted One (Dark Urge only) ==
-''See also: [[Folk Hero]]''
+{{Main|Haunted One}}
+{{Quote background|Haunted One|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Medicine]], [[Intimidation]]''
+* ''Characters: [[The Dark Urge]]''
+}}
-''Improves: [[Animal Handling]], [[Survival]]''
+== Noble ==
+{{Main|Noble}}
+{{Quote background|Noble|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[History]], [[Persuasion]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Minthara]], [[Kerz]]''
+}}
-''Characters: [[Minsc]], [[Wyll]]''
+== Outlander ==
+{{Main|Outlander}}
+{{Quote background|Outlander|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Athletics]], [[Survival]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Halsin]], [[Karlach]], [[Eldra Luthrinn]], [[Sina'zith]]''
+}}
-= Guild Artisan =
+== Sage ==
-[[File:Background Guild Artisan Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Guild Artisan|180x180px]]
+{{Main|Sage}}
+{{Quote background|Sage|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Arcana]], [[History]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Gale]], [[Sir Fuzzalump]]''
+}}
-{{Q|"Your skill in a particular craft has earned you membership in a mercantile guild, offering privileges and protection while engaging in your art. Repairing and discovering rare crafts will bring new inspiration." }}
+== Soldier ==
-''See also: [[Guild Artisan]]''
+{{Main|Soldier}}
+{{Quote background|Soldier|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Athletics]], [[Intimidation]]''
+* ''Characters: [[Jaheira]], [[Lae'zel]], [[Varanna Sunblossom]]''
+}}
-''Improves: [[Insight]], [[Persuasion]]''
+== Urchin ==
+{{Main|Urchin}}
-''Characters: None''
+{{Quote background|Urchin|image-position=left}}
+{{hlist|
-= Haunted One =
+* ''Skill proficiencies: [[Sleight of Hand]], [[Stealth]]''
-''NOTE: Only available to [https://bg3.wiki/wiki/The_Dark_Urge Dark Urge] characters!''
+* ''Characters: [[Maddala Deadeye]]''
-[[File:Background HauntedOne Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Haunted One|180x180px]]
+}}
-{{Q|"A wicked moment, person, or thing that cannot be slain by sword or spell haunts your mind and flickers in your peripheral vision. You carry it wherever your adventure takes you - or perhaps it carries you." }}
-''See also: [[Haunted One]], [https://bg3.wiki/wiki/The_Dark_Urge Dark Urge]''
-''Improves: [[Medicine]], [[Intimidation]]''
-''Characters: [[The Dark Urge]]''
-= Noble =
-[[File:Background Noble Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Noble|180x180px]]
-{{Q|"You were raised in a family among the social elite, accustomed to power and privilege. Accumulating renown, power, and loyalty will raise your status." }}
-''See also: [[Noble]]''
-''Improves: [[History]], [[Persuasion]]''
-''Characters: [[Minthara]]''
-= Outlander =
-[[File:Background Outlander Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Outlander|180x180px]]
-{{Q|"You grew up in the wilds, learning to survive far from the comforts of civilisation. Surviving unusual hazards of the wild will enhance your prowess and understanding." }}
-''See also: [[Outlander]]''
-''Improves: [[Athletics]], [[Survival]]''
-''Characters: [[Halsin]], [[Karlach]]''
-= Sage =
-[[File:Background Sage Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Sage|180x180px]]
-{{Q|"You’re curious and well-read, with an unending thirst for knowledge. Learning about rare lore of the world will inspire you to put this knowledge to greater purpose." }}
-''See also: [[Sage]]''
-''Improves: [[Arcana]], [[History]]''
-''Characters: [[Gale]]''
-= Soldier =
-[[File:Background Soldier Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Soldier|180x180px]]
-{{Q|"You are trained in battlefield tactics and combat, having served in a militia, mercenary company, or officer corps. Show smart tactics and bravery on the battlefield to enhance your prowess." }}
-''See also: [[Soldier]]''
-''Improves: [[Athletics]], [[Intimidation]]''
-''Characters: [[Jaheira]], [[Lae'zel]]''
-= Urchin =
+== Removed and unused ==
-[[File:Background Urchin Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Urchin|180x180px]]
+{{hatnote|See [[Backgrounds (Legacy)]]}}
-{{Q|"After surviving a poor and bleak childhood, you know how to make the most out of very little. Using your street smarts bolsters your spirit for the journey ahead." }}
+Some backgrounds present in the pre-release versions of the game still exist in the game files, but are otherwise unusable without modifications.
-''See also: [[Urchin]]''
-''Improves: [[Sleight of Hand]], [[Stealth]]''
+== Differences to the tabletop game ==
+{{hatnote|See [[D&D 5e rule changes]]}}
+Most of the backgrounds used in ''Baldur's Gate 3'' (including the removed Hermit and Sailor, above) are drawn from the 2014 ''Dungeons & Dragons'' ''Player's Handbook''. The exception is the Haunted One, which was introduced with the popular horror adventure ''Curse of Strahd'', and which is the only background to provide different skill proficiencies to the tabletop version.
-''Characters: None''
+In the tabletop game, backgrounds also provide additional benefits, including:
+* If a background provides proficiency in an already chosen skill, language, or tool, you may choose any other proficiency of the same type to replace it;
+* Non-skill proficiencies not used in ''Baldur's Gate 3'', like languages, tools, vehicles, games or musical instruments;
+* Non-adventuring equipment, like clothing, trinkets or tools; and
+* A "background feature" providing the character with one or more abilities usually not tied to mechanics, like an Acolyte being able to request shelter at a temple of their god or an Outlander being able to forage for food without a die roll, and having a very good sense of direction.
-= Removed and Unused =
+These additional benefits are all replaced in ''Baldur's Gate 3'' by the specific inspiration conditions and special options in dialogue.
-{{Legacy Content|section}}
-The following are backgrounds that had existed beforehand, but were removed in later versions. While their art and text can be found in the game files, the following are not selectable in the current version of the game.
-<gallery mode="packed">
-File:Background Hermit Icon.png|Hermit
-File:Background Sailor Icon.png|Sailor
-</gallery>
-There are icons in the game files for character specific backgrounds.
-<gallery mode="packed">
-Astarion Icon.png|Astarion
-Shadowheart Icon.png|Shadowheart
-Laezel Icon.png|Lae'zel
-Gale Icon.png|Gale
-Wyll Icon.png|Wyll
-Karlach Icon.png|Karlach
-Jaheira.png|Jaheira
-Minsc.png|Minsc
-Minthara.png|Minthara
-Halsin Icon.png|Halsin
-</gallery>
-{{clear}}
 <!--{{BackgroundSkillsTable}}-->
 {{NavGameplay}}
 [[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]
-[[Category:Character Creation]]
+[[Category:Character creation]]