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Backgrounds
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
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
![]() | This article is about gameplay elements – such as characters, quests or mechanics – that have been removed from the game and is no longer available. |
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.
Hermit
Sailor
Astral Zealot (Lae'zel)
In the release version of the game, Lae'zel has the Soldier background instead.
Blade of Frontiers (Wyll)
In the release version of the game, Wyll has the Folk Hero background instead.
Blood War Veteran (Karlach)
In the release version of the game, Karlach has the Outlander background instead.
Cloistered Stray (Shadowheart)
In the release version of the game, Shadowheart has the Acolyte background instead.
Grove Tender (Halsin)
In the release version of the game, Halsin has the Outlander background instead.
Legend of Baldur's Gate (Minsc)
In the release version of the game, Minsc has the Folk Hero background instead.
Trickster Hedonist (Astarion)
In the release version of the game, Astarion has the Charlatan background instead.
Underdark Exile (Minthara)
In the release version of the game, Minthara has the Noble background instead.
Wizard of Waterdeep (Gale)
In the release version of the game, Gale has the Sage background instead.
World-Wise Heroine (Jaheira)
In the release version of the game, Jaheira has the Soldier background instead.
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:
- 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.