Summary
ThoughBaldur’s Gate 3has a self-contained campaign involving an impending Mindflayer invasion, fans ofDungeons & Dragonscan still create their favorite characters thanks to the game’s immersive character creation system. Moreover, thanks to a massive modding community, players can enhance theirBaldur’s Gate 3experience with the character of their dreams.
However, while popular character modding options include new races and appearances, Larian Studios could further improve immersion by including new D&D Backgrounds. Describing a character’s experience prior to adventuring, backgrounds can expand personal narratives by including special dialogue options or even exclusive tidbits unique to their Backgrounds. These D&D Backgrounds are worthy of addition in the acclaimed RPG.
10Astral Drifter
With Mindflayers being thebiggest threats inBaldur’s Gate 3, players creating a Githyanki Outlander can easily accommodate headcanons of a foreign adventurer stumbling upon Faerun. However, players can improve their immersion by including another Plane of Existence entirely, taking the form of theAstral Drifterfrom the Astral Seas.
This Background is perfect for players who want their characters to have come from faraway from Faerun, fitting the Githyanki and potentially other unique races that the game may eventually include. In its source materialSpelljammer: Adventures in Space - Astral Adventurer’s Guide, this Background comes with theDivine Contactfeature. This gives players access to theMagic Initiate: Cleric Feat,immediately giving players access to an expanded repertoire of combat options.
Proficiencies
9Cloistered Scholar
WhileBaldur’s Gate 3does offer the Sage as an “academic” among its Background offerings, theCloistered Scholaroffers a more lore-focused take. Because the RPGdeals with many of Faerun’s factionsand cultures, the Cloistered Scholar’s mission to add lore among its institutions could help a character provide valuable insights.
The Cloistered Scholar’s original description ties its association with either the great library of Candlekeep, the Vault of the Sages, or Silverymoon’s Map House. Considering the activities of factions such as the Zhentarim and the Harpers, a Cloistered Scholar who represents another group can vastly improve a player’s immersion.
8Faceless
Players who got used toDungeons & Dragonsgamesknow that these titles often lead to “nobodies” becoming heroes. Such is the case inBG3, especially when combat can facilitate some epic fantasy fights. Unfortunately for theFaceless, characters of this Background might never have the chance to become a hero.
A Faceless is forced to don a mask, literally or figuratively, due to circumstances surrounding them such as their family, social standing, or even their past. However, this Background can also make some of the most interesting characters, especially when the characters beneath the mask have to prove that they’re more than what they’re pretending to be.
7Faction Agent
The traders of the Zhentarim are among the first factions players will run into in their quest to save Faerun. Roah Moonglow is an agent offering some of the best early-game wares in theirencounter in the Goblin Camp. While players get roped into Zhentarim business later on, it would be interesting if players could become aFaction Agentthemselves.
Compared to other Backgrounds, Faction Agents have more intimate knowledge on the power dynamics of Faerun’s many organizations. In addition to the fair spies of the Harpers and the zealous Order of the Gauntlet, there are nature’s preservers among the Emerald Enclave, and government’s agents in the Lords’ Alliance. Allowing players to participate in the game as any one of these teams can offer valuable insights in subplots.
6Far Traveler
Just because Baldur’s Gate is one of Faerun’s most popular cities doesn’t mean everyone has been there. This is especially the case for theFar Traveler, a Background that may encourage players to create characters who are also Faerun natives but have yet to visit the iconic city. While much ofthe campaign inBG3doesn’t reference a lot of places outside the eponymous city, the Far Traveler could give characters dialogue options that can give players a glimpse of life outside the bustling location.
Moreover, the Far Traveler can become an efficient way of introducing players to the world of Faerun. Since a Far Traveler is likely not familiar with Faerun and its immediate locations, the players can legitimately take their time to explore the game in character.
5Gladiator
Unlike the usual combatant Backgrounds associated with tanks, theGladiatoremphasizes the warrior’s ability to entertain just as well as they can fight. With combat happening almost all the time throughoutBG3, adding the Gladiator Background to theexisting character creationcan give characters the opportunity to play their instruments without needing to be a Bard.
If the Gladiator is fully adapted intoBG3, the Background also gets access to Proficiencies with a Musical Instrument. While mechanically functioning the same as the Bard’s traditional Perform function, the added lore appeal of a Gladiator performing in the middle of a stunt can make their performances more riveting.
4Hermit
Newcomers toD&D gameplayand the world of the Forgotten Realms might findBaldur’s Gate 3difficult to get into from both a lore and mechanics standpoint. After all, not everyone is aware that the Guidance Cantrip can make many Skill Checks a breeze, or thatMage Handis an efficient way of doing things from afar. As aHermit, however, players have the in-lore excuse to say “Yes” when asked if they were “living under a rock.”
Someone from the Hermit background lived in a secluded community for much of their lives. This can take the form of a secluded village, a monastery, or a small community far from civilization. While this gave the player much-needed solitude away from city life, it also isolated them from much of the world. It’s a great way to help players learn more about the world from the perspective of someone who finds most of Faerun quite foreign themselves.
3Knight
WhileAstarion is built with the Noble Backgroundin mind, his life in the city of Baldur’s Gate is tied to an aristocratic social culture. On the other hand, theKnightBackground shakes things up. This lowly title of prestige comes with the need to prove oneself worthy of such a recognition.
Since the Knight is a “type” of Noble, players can also take advantage of the Background’sRetainsFeature, which may allow them access to three Retainers or assistants that can do favors for them. ShouldBG3eventually implement humanoid familiar-type mechanics, the Knight can be a decent way to command NPCs to do simple commands.
2Mercenary Veteran
Players who want their characters to be experienced combatants can often rely on the Criminal, Folk Hero, or even Soldier Backgrounds. However, with the scope of Faerun andcombat inBaldur’s Gate 3, theMercenary Veterancould provide a better lore explanation as to how the player character is aware of so many Weapon Actions and combat maneuvers.
In the lore, a Mercenary Veteran is a seasoned adventurer who’s used to getting paid in exchange for taking care of missions. A Mercenary Veteran inBaldur’s Gate 3could get roped into the plot amid a mission, proving their desire for coin may lead to more danger than they have anticipated.
1Pirate
Faerun is home to popular maritime trading centers, so it’s no surprise that aPiratecan find themselves adventuring near Baldur’s Gate. A Pirate character is the equivalent of a Criminal, but specifically one who operates in port towns and on the open sea.
Their Bad Reputation Feature lets them get away with petty crimes, and could be translated to Advantage in Intimidation checks when confronted with a crime. When tying a Pirate character to the mainBaldur’s Gate 3story, perhaps players are looking for a way to go back to their crew, or they may be a deposed captain seeking vengeance on the first mate who stole his role.
