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The 2024 D&D 5e Player's Handbook has been available for just over six months, and players are still adjusting to some of its most game-changing updates. One of the most substantial and perhaps controversial is the latest overhaul of Dungeons and Dragons background rules, which transforms what was once merely a roleplay mechanic into a system that influences your build in combat and beyond. In the 2014 Player's Handbook, your background provided your character with a handful of tool and skill proficiencies and one or two roleplay features that often represented little more than a vague approximation of your character concept. The 2024 Player's Handbook aims to make this mechanic more concrete by offering several options to enhance your gameplay right out the gate with ability score bonuses and a new feature called "Origin Feats," which redefines background-related features to further integrate backstory into character creation.

In summary, the 2024 Player's Handbook's release made choosing a background an essential step in building your character.

New Background System:

• 3 potential ability score improvement options
• 2 skill proficiencies
• 1 tool proficiency
• Starting equipment worth 50 gold (excluding martial weapons and armor)
• Origin feat

Why Does This Matter?

This might not look like much of a change, but when you combine the ability score improvements with the origin feats, this mechanic stands to have a significant impact on your character's power level and gameplay.

Breaking Down Background Components:

1. Background: Similar to backgrounds in the 2014 Players Handbook, most background titles come with a short description detailing where you might have come from and how you might have acquired the associated skills, but as always, these descriptions are purely for aiding in roleplay. It should be taken as a suggestion rather than a rule.

2. Ability Score Increase: Now, backgrounds allow you to increase up to three ability scores. You can:

• Spread +1 across three different abilities.
• Allocate all +3 to a single stat.

3. Skill Proficiencies: As always, your skill proficiencies allow you to add your proficiency modifier to the associated skills, reflecting your character's level of expertise.

4. Tool Proficiencies: Like skill proficiencies, tool proficiencies allow you to add your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make with that tool.

5. Equipment: Every background comes with its own set of starter tools, but you don't need to take them if you don't want to. You can exchange your starting tools for 50 gp of starting gold.

6. Origin Feat: The most significant addition is the Origin Feat—a background-specific feat that replaces the old background features from 2014. There are 10 origin feats in the 2024 Player's Handbook, each tied to their respective backgrounds, and since you only get one, choosing the right background is essential. Where features in the 2014 Player's Handbook were largely indiscriminate, the 2024 Players' Handbook breaks feats into four categories: origin feats, general feats, fighting style feats, and epic boons. This change was made to better reflect the characters' experiences and how those experiences influence their abilities differently.

 

Experienced players of dungeons and dragons might be used to skipping over the background section entirely, but with this update, each of the origin features in the 2024 edition will have a considerable impact on your playstyle.

For example, features like Magic Initiate offer the players two additional cantrips and a level 1 spell from a school of their choice, in addition to whatever spells or cantrips they've acquired from their class and race. To put it in perspective, a player who chooses a background with this origin feat gets additional spells at level 1 at absolutely no cost. No prerequisites. No restrictions.

Example: 

Magic Initiate

Origin Feat

You gain the following benefits.

Two Cantrips. You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell list. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this feat’s spells (choose when you select this feat).

Level 1 Spell. Choose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat’s cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have.

Spell Change. Whenever you gain a new level, you can replace one of the spells you chose for this feat with a different spell of the same level from the chosen spell list.

Repeatable. You can take this feat more than once, but you must choose a different spell list each time.

Custom Background Rules:

Often, the premade backgrounds included in the Player's Handbook are too limited to accurately convey your unique character's background and backstory. Fortunately, the Player's Handbook clarifies that you can tweak backgrounds by swapping out each element:

To customize a background, feel free to mix and match these elements:

• Origin Feats
• Proficiencies
• Equipment packages
• Languages

If you're looking for something entirely unique, you're better off creating your background from scratch. Thankfully, the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide comes with a step-by-step breakdown to walk you through building your custom background.

What About Old Backgrounds? (Backward Compatibility)

Not every dungeons and dragons background of the past made it into the 2024 Player's Handbook, but the devs are already one step ahead of you.  Like creating custom backgrounds, Wizards of The Coast has stated that old backgrounds from previous editions are backward compatible with just a few tweaks. Looking to update an older background? Just follow these simple steps.

How to Convert Old Backgrounds:

• Add Ability Scores Bonus: Select ability scores you want to spread three total points across (we recommend picking thematically relevant skills).
• Choose an Origin Feat: If the older background does not provide a comparable Feature, you gain the Origin Feat of your choice.

D&D Character Creation Strategies

If min-maxing is your approach, each background allows you to increase three ability scores by one point or allocate all three points to a single ability score. For example, classes that prioritize strength might select from any of the seven backgrounds that provide strength ability score increases and invest all their points into that one stat. Are you building a Barbarian eager to get into the action? Choose Soldier for a +3 in strength and the Savage Attacker feat as a bonus. This new system enables players to hit the ground running from level 1, making your build feel uniquely yours.

If odd combinations and dynamic synergy are more your approach, this overhaul is explicitly built to accommodate complex character concepts and backstories. For instance, the Magic Initiate feat allows any character that takes the background to cast spells and cantrips from Druid, Wizard, or Cleric schools. Previously, non-spellcasting characters were resigned to magic items or multi-classing to circumvent the limitations of their class, but this update effectively makes every character a spell-caster so long as they pick a background with the Magic Initiate feat, allowing for tons of fresh ideas and character concepts.

Background Combination Ideas:

Character Concept:	Class:	Background:	Ability Spread:
Ex-Wizard Barbarian: A wizard who has had enough of the bureaucracy of his peers and chooses to swap out his spellbook for a sword… with a couple spells in his back pocket.	Barbarian	Sage	+2 Con, +1 Wis
Cleric With a Past: A former thief turned cleric after finding religion in the seediest corners of the underworld. They use their healing powers to serve as the in-house medic for a band of assassins, a role which tests the balance between their faith and their commitment to their cause.	Cleric	Criminal	+1 Dex, +1 Con, +1 Int
The Martial Artist: A monk with an undying passion for painting who fights with fists dipped in various colors meant to disorient the enemy.	Monk	Artisan	+3 Dex

How to Gain More Origin Feats:

Humans:

With the release of the 2024 Player Handbook, humans get the Versatile feat, which allows them to select an additional origin feat of their choosing. Because origin feats do not have any prerequisites, Humans can choose from the entire list of origin feats regardless of class ability scores or other restrictions.

Choosing an Origin Feat Instead of a General Feat:

Starting at Level 4, characters can select a General Feat when they reach a level that allows them to gain a feat (typically at levels 4, 8, 12, etc.).

Instead of choosing a General Feat, players may opt to take an Origin Feat. This allows players to double down on background-related abilities or expand their character's thematic toolkit.

Stackable Origin Feats: 

Some origin feats, like Skilled or Magic Initiate, can be taken more than once. Players who want to double down on their origin feats should consider starting with an origin that is stackable.

Complete D&D Backgrounds List:

Background	Ability Scores	Origin Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Acolyte	Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma	Magic Initiate (Cleric)	Insight, Religion	Calligrapher's Supplies	Calligrapher's Supplies, Prayer Book, Holy Symbol, Parchment (10 sheets), Robe, 8 GP
Artisan	Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence	Crafter	Investigation, Persuasion	One type of Artisan's Tools	Chosen Artisan's Tools, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 32 GP
Charlatan	Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma	Skilled	Deception, Sleight of Hand	Forgery Kit	Forgery Kit, Costume, Fine Clothes, 15 GP
Criminal	Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence	Alert	Sleight of Hand, Stealth	Thieves' Tools	2 Daggers, Thieves' Tools, Crowbar, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP
Entertainer	Strength, Dexterity, Charisma	Musician	Acrobatics, Performance	One type of Musical Instrument	Musical Instrument, 2 Costumes, Mirror, Perfume, Traveler's Clothes, 11 GP
Farmer	Strength, Constitution, Wisdom	Tough	Animal Handling, Nature	Carpenter's Tools	Sickle, Carpenter's Tools, Healer's Kit, Iron Pot, Shovel, Traveler's Clothes, 30 GP
Guard	Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom	Alert	Athletics, Perception	One type of Gaming Set	Spear, Light Crossbow (20 Bolts), Gaming Set, Hooded Lantern, Manacles, Quiver, Traveler's Clothes, 12 GP
Guide	Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom	Magic Initiate (Druid)	Stealth, Survival	Cartographer's Tools	Shortbow (20 Arrows), Cartographer's Tools, Bedroll, Quiver, Tent, Traveler's Clothes, 3 GP
Hermit	Constitution, Wisdom, Charisma	Healer	Medicine, Religion	Herbalism Kit	Quarterstaff, Herbalism Kit, Bedroll, Book (philosophy), Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP
Merchant	Constitution, Intelligence, Charisma	Lucky	Animal Handling, Persuasion	Navigator's Tools	Navigator's Tools, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 22 GP
Noble	Strength, Intelligence, Charisma	Skilled	History, Persuasion	One type of Gaming Set	Gaming Set, Fine Clothes, Perfume, 29 GP
Sage	Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom	Magic Initiate (Wizard)	Arcana, History	Calligrapher's Supplies	Quarterstaff, Calligrapher's Supplies, Book (history), Parchment (8 sheets), Robe, 8 GP
Sailor	Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom	Tavern Brawler	Acrobatics, Perception	Navigator's Tools	Dagger, Navigator's Tools, Rope, Traveler's Clothes, 20 GP
Scribe	Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom	Skilled	Investigation, Perception	Calligrapher's Supplies	Calligrapher's Supplies, Fine Clothes, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Parchment (12 sheets), 23 GP
Soldier	Strength, Dexterity, Constitution	Savage Attacker	Athletics, Intimidation	One type of Gaming Set	Spear, Shortbow (20 Arrows), Gaming Set, Healer's Kit, Quiver, Traveler's Clothes, 14 GP
Wayfarer	Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma	Lucky	insight, Stealth	Thieves' Tools	2 Daggers, Thieves' Tools, Gaming Set (any), Bedroll, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP

 

Final Thoughts: Is the 2024 Background System an Improvement?

Overall, this update is more Impactful, more customizable, and allows for more strategic choices. With options to modify or create backgrounds from scratch, boost your combat and roleplay stats, and to select from a list of origin feats, backgrounds have finally been elevated to a core mechanic of the game.Whether you’re a min-maxer or a story-driven player, exploring these new rules opens up many exciting new character creation possibilities.