Backgrounds are more important in the DnD 2024 rules than ever before, and while their execution in the Player’s Handbook is kind of a mixed bag, we think the change is going to mean great things for upcoming setting books.
In the past, when backgrounds only affected starting equipment, skill proficiencies, and perhaps a loosely defined ability, they were basically fluff, which meant they were easily skimped on in setting sourcebooks.
Examining some of the books that have been released throughout 5e’s lifespan, you’ll find the background pages of any DnD setting expansion are fairly lackluster. There are just two backgrounds in Dragonlance, two in Planescape, two in Spelljammer, and only one in Eberron.
But in DnD 2024, backgrounds are more crucial. They’ve supplanted DnD races as the source of starting stat bonuses, and while Wizards of the Coast did already start to get into the habit of adding unique feats to backgrounds, that’s now been codified in the upcoming Player’s Handbook. They’re presented in a very economical and compact manner in the new PHB, too.
We’re hoping what this means is that upcoming setting books, like the two Forgotten Realms titles Wizards has already teased, will be absolutely stuffed full of meaningful, interesting backgrounds, with unique mechanics represented by their origin feats. The company has said it’s going to explore factions like the Harpers and Wizards of Thay in these texts, and we’d like it if it used backgrounds to flesh these out further.
This would be great for helping players dive into rich and lore dense worlds, giving you more ways to place your characters in a setting, and not leaving all that for the races section or new subclasses.
The other good thing about bringing in cool new backgrounds is that the backgrounds we’ve actually got in the 2024 Player’s Handbook are sometimes a bit weird. There are a number of them that combine feats, skills, and stats in ways that don’t reflect how most people would typically choose to build a character.
They’re also lacking in lore and specificity. Which makes sense, after all the PHB probably should be somewhat setting-neutral. But, nonetheless, it’s something we’re in two minds about.
Finally, 16 backgrounds is simply not enough, now that these character options are that much more crucial. If you want to be a Barbarian and buff your primary stats (you don’t have to be a power gamer for that) there are only two DnD 2024 backgrounds available to you. So the sooner Wizards of the Coast creates more, the better.
For more, informative articles, check out our guides to the DnD release schedule, and our 2024 Player’s Handbook review.
Source: Wargamer
