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Backgrounds

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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

Main article: Acolyte

Charlatan

Main article: Charlatan

Criminal

Main article: Criminal

Entertainer

Main article: Entertainer

Improves: Acrobatics, Performance Characters: Brinna Brightsong

Folk Hero

Main article: Folk Hero

Guild Artisan

Main article: Guild Artisan

Haunted One (Dark Urge only)

Main article: Haunted One

Noble

Main article: Noble

Outlander

Main article: Outlander

Sage

Main article: Sage

Soldier

Main article: Soldier

Urchin

Main article: Urchin

Removed and unused

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:

  • If a background provides proficiency in an already chosen skill, you do not get the option to choose another skill to replace it. Therefore, wood elf criminals and half-orc soldiers, for example, lose a skill proficiency as stealth and intimidation are provided by both race and background.
  • 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.