Backgrounds: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:35, 22 December 2024

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

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

Charlatan

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

Criminal

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

Entertainer

Improves: Acrobatics, Performance Characters: Brinna Brightsong

Folk Hero

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

Guild Artisan

Skill proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion
Characters: Jacelyn

Haunted One (Dark Urge only)

Skill proficiencies: Medicine, Intimidation
Characters: The Dark Urge

Noble

Skill proficiencies: History, Persuasion
Characters: Minthara, Kerz

Outlander

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

Sage

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

Soldier

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

Urchin

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

Removed and unused

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

Differences to the tabletop game

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 105: / Line 105: @@
 == Removed and unused ==
-{{Legacy content|section}}
+{{hatnote|See [[Backgrounds (Legacy)]]}}
-The following backgrounds existed in Early Access, but were removed in the final version of the game. While their art and text can be found in the game files, the following are not selectable in the release version.
+Some backgrounds present in the pre-release versions of the game are still present in the game files, but are otherwise unusable by players without modifications.
-=== Hermit ===
-{{Quote background|Hermit|image-position=left|nolink=yes}}
-=== Sailor ===
-{{Quote background|Sailor|image-position=left|nolink=yes}}
-=== Astral Zealot (Lae'zel) ===
-{{Quote background|Astral Zealot|image-position=left|link=Lae'zel}}
-In the release version of the game, Lae'zel has the [[Soldier]] background instead.
-=== Blade of Frontiers (Wyll) ===
-{{Quote background|Blade of Frontiers|image-position=left|link=Wyll}}
-In the release version of the game, Wyll has the [[Folk Hero]] background instead.
-=== Blood War Veteran (Karlach) ===
-{{Quote background|Blood War Veteran|image-position=left|link=Karlach}}
-In the release version of the game, Karlach has the [[Outlander]] background instead.
-=== Cloistered Stray (Shadowheart) ===
-{{Quote background|Cloistered Stray|image-position=left|link=Shadowheart}}
-In the release version of the game, Shadowheart has the [[Acolyte]] background instead.
-=== Grove Tender (Halsin) ===
-{{Quote background|Grove Tender|image-position=left|Link=Halsin}}
-In the release version of the game, Halsin has the [[Outlander]] background instead.
-=== Legend of Baldur's Gate (Minsc) ===
-{{Quote background|Legend of Baldur's Gate|image-position=left|link=Minsc}}
-In the release version of the game, Minsc has the [[Folk Hero]] background instead.
-=== Trickster Hedonist (Astarion) ===
-{{Quote background|Trickster Hedonist|image-position=left|link=Astarion}}
-In the release version of the game, Astarion has the [[Charlatan]] background instead.
-=== Underdark Exile (Minthara) ===
-{{Quote background|Underdark Exile|image-position=left|link=Minthara}}
-In the release version of the game, Minthara has the [[Noble]] background instead.
-=== Wizard of Waterdeep (Gale) ===
-{{Quote background|Wizard of Waterdeep|image-position=left|link=Gale}}
-In the release version of the game, Gale has the [[Sage]] background instead.
-=== World-Wise Heroine (Jaheira) ===
-{{Quote background|World-Wise Heroine|image-position=left|link=Jaheira}}
-In the release version of the game, Jaheira has the [[Soldier]] background instead.
 == Differences to the tabletop game ==