DnD 5e backgrounds have proved to be an extremely popular addition to the game. Players love giving their characters more depth into their characters.
As Dungeon and Dragons has expanded and more sourcebooks and campaigns have been released and the number of official character backgrounds has grown.
I’ve collected a list of 97 official DnD 5e backgrounds, plus another huge list of custom DnD backgrounds as well. Keep scrolling for amazing RPG character options.
NEW: Custom Village Backgrounds – These are incredible titles on the DMs Guild for FREE.
Official DnD Backgrounds 5e List
- Acolyte
- Acolyte – Baldur’s Gate
- Acolyte (Luxonborn)
- Anthropologist
- Archaeologist
- Astral Drifter
- Athlete
- Azorius Functionary
- Boros Legionnaire
- Celebrity Adventurer’s Scion
- Charlatan
- Charlatan – Baldur’s Gate
- City Watch / Investigator
- Clan Crafter
- Cloistered Scholar
- Courtier
- Criminal – Baldur’s Gate
- Criminal (Myriad Operative)
- Criminal / Spy
- Dimir Operative
- Entertainer
- Entertainer – Baldur’s Gate
- Faceless
- Faction Agent
- Failed Merchant
- Far Traveler
- Feylost
- Fisher
- Folk Hero
- Folk Hero – Baldur’s Gate
- Gambler
- Gladiator
- Golgari Agent
- Grinner
- Gruul Anarch
- Guild Artisan – Baldur’s Gate
- Guild Artisan / Guild Merchant
- Haunted One
- Hermit
- Hermit – Baldur’s Gate
- House Agent (Cannith)
- House Agent (Deneith)
- House Agent (Ghallanda)
- House Agent (Jorasco)
- House Agent (Kundarak)
- House Agent (Lyrandar)
- House Agent (Medani)
- House Agent (Orien)
- House Agent (Phiarlan)
- House Agent (Sivis)
- House Agent (Tharashk)
- House Agent (Thuranni)
- House Agent (Vadalis)
- Inheritor
- Investigator
- Izzet Engineer
- Knight
- Knight of Solamnia
- Knight of the Order
- Lorehold Student
- Mage of High Sorcery
- Marine
- Mercenary Veteran
- Noble
- Noble – Baldur’s Gate
- Orzhov Representative
- Outlander
- Outlander – Baldur’s Gate
- Pirate
- Plaintiff
- Prismari Student
- Quandrix Student
- Rakdos Cultist
- Rival Intern
- Sage
- Sage – Baldur’s Gate
- Sage (Cobalt Scholar)
- Sailor
- Sailor – Baldur’s Gate
- Sailor (Revelry Pirate)
- Selesnya Initiate
- Shipwright
- Silverquill Student
- Simic Scientist
- Smuggler
- Soldier
- Soldier – Baldur’s Gate
- Spy (Augen Trust)
- Urban Bounty Hunter
- Urchin
- Urchin – Baldur’s Gate
- Uthgardt Tribe Member
- Volstrucker Agent
- Waterdhavian Noble
- Wildspacer
- Witchlight Hand
- Witherbloom Student
You can find the official descriptions of these backgrounds here.
Custom DnD 5e Backgrounds
DMs Guild creators have added a vast amount of new backgrounds to DnD. Here’s a list of custom Dungeons and Dragons 5e backgrounds that dungeon masters can add to their RPG sessions.
- The Noble Book of Humble Origins: 34 Custom Village Backgrounds
- 187 Questions to Build your Character Backstory – Create deep and dynamic DnD characters.
- Lifepath Backgrounds – Give your DnD characters an entire life path.
- Expanded Character Backgrounds – Noble
- 15 New Backgrounds – World Builder Blog Presents – Included: Cook Background, Cursed Background, Dead Background, Demolitions Expert Background, Doctor Background, Farmer Background, Harvester Background, Legendary Lineage Background, Lycanthrope Background, Parent Background, Polymorphed Background, Possessed Background, Raised by Animals Background, Retired Adventurer Background, Tinkerer Background, plus rules for Group Backgrounds.
- Expanded Character Backgrounds – Acolyte
- Uncommoners (10 Backgrounds)
- Backgrounds, Vol. 1
- Times Before the Dust: 3 New Backgrounds – Included: the gambler, the majei, and the oracle.
- Expanded Backgrounds
- Gnomish Backgrounds – Set #1 – Financier and more.
- Five New Playable Backgrounds – Included: the secret operative, domestic servant, physician, athlete, and gambler.
DnD 5e Backgrounds
Backgrounds give Dungeons and Dragons players the tools to create incredible characters. Whether you use the official backgrounds or custom ones they make your DnD characters come to life.