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{{ up to date | 2023-08-08 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->
{{PageSeo
{{PageSeo
| description = Backgrounds define the past of a character, which grants them two skill Proficiencies and determines what inspires them.
| description = Backgrounds define the past of a character, which grants them two skill Proficiencies and determines what inspires them.
| image = Background Acolyte Icon.png
| image = Background Acolyte Icon.png
}}
}}
'''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.
'''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.
 
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__
__NOTOC__
== Acolyte ==
= Acolyte =
[[File:Background Acolyte Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Acolyte|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Acolyte Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Acolyte|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Insight]], [[Religion]]''
''Improves: [[Insight]], [[Religion]]''


''Characters: [[Shadowheart]], [[Zenith Feur'sel]]''
''Characters: [[Shadowheart]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Charlatan ==
= Charlatan =
[[File:Background Charlatan Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Charlatan|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Charlatan Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Charlatan|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Deception]], [[Sleight of Hand]]''
''Improves: [[Deception]], [[Sleight of Hand]]''


''Characters: [[Astarion]], [[Kree Derryck]]''
''Characters: [[Astarion]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Criminal ==  
= Criminal =  
[[File:Background Criminal Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Criminal|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Criminal Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Criminal|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Deception]], [[Stealth]]''
''Improves: [[Deception]], [[Stealth]]''


''Characters: [[Ver'yll Wenkiir]]''
''Characters: None''
{{clear}}
 
== Entertainer ==  
= Entertainer =  
[[File:Background Entertainer Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Entertainer|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Entertainer Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Entertainer|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Acrobatics]], [[Performance]]''
''Improves: [[Acrobatics]], [[Performance]]''


''Characters: [[Brinna Brightsong]]''
''Characters: None''
{{clear}}
 
== Folk Hero ==  
= Folk Hero =  
[[File:Background Folk Hero Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Folk Hero|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Folk Hero Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Folk Hero|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Animal Handling]], [[Survival]]''
''Improves: [[Animal Handling]], [[Survival]]''


''Characters: [[Minsc]], [[Wyll]], [[Danton]]''
''Characters: [[Minsc]], [[Wyll]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Guild Artisan ==  
= Guild Artisan =  
[[File:Background Guild Artisan Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Guild Artisan|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Guild Artisan Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Guild Artisan|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Insight]], [[Persuasion]]''
''Improves: [[Insight]], [[Persuasion]]''


''Characters: [[Jacelyn]]''
''Characters: None''
{{clear}}
 
== Haunted One ==  
= Haunted One =  
{{hatnote|Only available to [[The Dark Urge|Dark Urge]] characters}}
''NOTE: Only available to [https://bg3.wiki/wiki/The_Dark_Urge Dark Urge] characters!''
[[File:Background HauntedOne Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Haunted One|180x180px]]
[[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." }}
{{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]], [[The Dark Urge|Dark Urge]]''
''See also: [[Haunted One]], [https://bg3.wiki/wiki/The_Dark_Urge Dark Urge]''


''Improves: [[Medicine]], [[Intimidation]]''
''Improves: [[Medicine]], [[Intimidation]]''


''Characters: [[The Dark Urge]]''
''Characters: [[The Dark Urge]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Noble ==  
= Noble =  
[[File:Background Noble Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Noble|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Noble Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Noble|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[History]], [[Persuasion]]''
''Improves: [[History]], [[Persuasion]]''


''Characters: [[Minthara]], [[Kerz]]''
''Characters: [[Minthara]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Outlander ==  
= Outlander =  
[[File:Background Outlander Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Outlander|180x180px]]
[[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 civilization. Surviving unusual hazards of the wild will enhance your prowess and understanding." }}
{{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]]''
''See also: [[Outlander]]''


''Improves: [[Athletics]], [[Survival]]''
''Improves: [[Athletics]], [[Survival]]''


''Characters: [[Halsin]], [[Karlach]], [[Eldra Luthrinn]], [[Sina'zith]]''
''Characters: [[Halsin]], [[Karlach]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Sage ==
= Sage =
[[File:Background Sage Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Sage|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Sage Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Sage|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Arcana]], [[History]]''
''Improves: [[Arcana]], [[History]]''


''Characters: [[Gale]], [[Sir Fuzzalump]]''
''Characters: [[Gale]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Soldier ==  
= Soldier =  
[[File:Background Soldier Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Soldier|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Soldier Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Soldier|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Athletics]], [[Intimidation]]''
''Improves: [[Athletics]], [[Intimidation]]''


''Characters: [[Jaheira]], [[Lae'zel]], [[Varanna Sunblossom]]''
''Characters: [[Jaheira]], [[Lae'zel]]''
{{clear}}
 
== Urchin ==  
= Urchin =  
[[File:Background Urchin Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Urchin|180x180px]]
[[File:Background Urchin Icon.png|left|frameless|link=Urchin|180x180px]]


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''Improves: [[Sleight of Hand]], [[Stealth]]''
''Improves: [[Sleight of Hand]], [[Stealth]]''


''Characters: [[Maddala Deadeye]]''
''Characters: None''
{{clear}}
 
== Removed and Unused ==
= Removed and Unused =
{{Legacy content|section}}
{{Legacy Content|section}}


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.
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">
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Background Hermit Icon.png|Hermit
File:Background Hermit Icon.png|Hermit
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</gallery>
</gallery>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
== 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.
In the tabletop game, backgrounds also provide additional benefits, including:
* 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.
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{{NavGameplay}}
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[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]
[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]
[[Category:Character creation]]
[[Category:Character Creation]]
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