September 14, 2017

- Published backgrounds now grant the skills associated with that background instead of allowing choices.

- A Custom Background option has been added that allows players to choose any combination of two skills, two tool proficiencies/ languages.

- Suggested Characteristics can now be added by clicking the 'Add' button on the characteristic.

We have just deployed an update for Backgrounds that brings them closer to their intended use in the game.

We previously provided a workaround to use for all backgrounds to allow for customization that worked but was a bit confusing. This was never intended to be a permanent solution, and this update is a full pass that covers the functionality.

Published Backgrounds

If you select a published background from any source - such as Acolyte - you will now receive the granted proficiencies per the background and be able to make choices only if the background gives a choice. For example, choosing Acolyte will grant you proficiency in Insight and Religion, and allow you to choose two languages of your choice.

If you have a granted proficiency from another source (like your race or class), then the appropriate background proficiency will open up to a choice of any skill, as stated in the Player's Handbook. For example, if I already chose Religion from your cleric class, then you will be granted Insight from your background, but now have a choice of another skill to replace your duplicated Religion proficiency.

The key change is that the actual skills from your background are now locked in - you no longer have a choice of any skill you want since that was the workaround.

If you want to customize your proficiencies for a background, you will instead use the new Custom Background option (described below).

Custom Backgrounds

A new option is now available that allows you to fully customize your background as mentioned in the Player's Handbook.

You choose 'Custom Background' from the options list, and then provide a name and description of your background, the configuration of proficiencies and language choices (2 tools, 2 languages, or 1 tool and 1 language), and the background feature and suggested characteristics you would like to use from another background (as mentioned in the PHB rules).

Save your inputs, and you now have a customized background!

Please keep in mind that we are adding the ability to create an entire homebrew background that can be shared with the community in the near future as well. If you want to create your own Background Feature or Suggested Characteristics, you will be able to do that then. For now, those are limited to published sources.

Suggested Characteristics

You can now add Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws to your character from the Suggested Characteristics section in your background. Simply click the 'Add' button and the characteristic will be added to the appropriate section. If you already have text in those sections, the new text will be added to the bottom of the content.

You can also click the 'Random' button to add a random characteristics. All suggested characteristics from your background are also displayed when you open the Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws sections.

Existing Characters

 For your existing characters that have skills selected that are not part of a published background, you will retain those skills. If you make any changes to your skill choices, the new system will kick in and try to make your background give you the skills you should have based on it. If you want to choose skills outside what that background gives typically, be sure to use the 'Custom Background' option.

Thanks!