Currently, despite having the new PHB and the new DMG, I can't select the custom background option in the character creator befitting the new 2024 rules.
I mean, all it needs to do is allow two of the skills to be selected, any one of the tools, the optional ability score improvement and a selectable origin feat.
Would also be nice if Homebrew Feats tagged as Origin would automatically pop up in the origin feats list of the custom background as well, so you don't have to manually add them on the sheet.
Currently, my players work with a self-made custom background, but the Homebrew tool also lacks the option to add in the ability score choices and cant add a feat selection list. This means we have to manually add the custom or normal origin feats on the sheet itself and the background gives no ability score improvements, also needing us to add them manually.
Got the same issue, can't create custom backgrounds in the builder or create homebrew backgrounds with the 2024 rules. no way to add ability score improvements.
Hello. I don't know if this was the case back when you originally asked this question, but when using a custom background you add the ability score points in the "Abilities" section of character creation, not the "Background" section. It's stupid considering that every premade background has you select the increases alongside every other option for the background, but that's how it is.
As for your Origin Feat. It seems you still just have to add that manually.
The in-builder custom background is 2014 rules because in 2014 rules custom background was a rule. It isn't a rule for 2024.
If you want a custom background use the homebrew tool to make one.
The homebrew tool cannot add ASI but this isn't needed: if the species doesn't grant an ASI and your background doesn't grant one, then the character still can choose an ASI under Abilities - this will be Tasha's style of ASI. If you want to restrict the choice you cannot do that mechanically but you can enter this into the description of the background. Also, you cannot choose "select any feat" or "select any Origin feat" but you can add multiple feats - such as all the Origin feats - into a list and the user will choose from your list.
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The in-builder custom background is 2014 rules because in 2014 rules custom background was a rule. It isn't a rule for 2024.
It is, it's just in the DMG.
As a DM Toolbox thing for homebrew, not as something the player can just take.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
That's not correct, or at least not a fair or logical ruling. Otherwise you are saying players cannot craft or use any magic items if they're in the DMG not in the PHB. Just because something is in the DMG doesn't mean players have no access to or use of it by default. It is just a clarification that is more DM focused, and imo implies you should get approval first. It's 100% a thing that should be in and accessible to players because it's a potential part of player creation. It just should be known that you check for DM approval first.
It isn't even listed as a variant rule. That innately implies it should be a basic thing players are aware of and should be often allowed access to. Backgrounds are very finite and limited, it makes backstories a more integrated and important part if you can tie it to your own custom background.
That's not correct, or at least not a fair or logical ruling. Otherwise you are saying players cannot craft or use any magic items if they're in the DMG not in the PHB. Just because something is in the DMG doesn't mean players have no access to or use of it by default. It is just a clarification that is more DM focused, and imo implies you should get approval first. It's 100% a thing that should be in and accessible to players because it's a potential part of player creation. It just should be known that you check for DM approval first.
It isn't even listed as a variant rule. That innately implies it should be a basic thing players are aware of and should be often allowed access to. Backgrounds are very finite and limited, it makes backstories a more integrated and important part if you can tie it to your own custom background.
What I have stated is completely correct and I have not made a "ruling".
The "custom background" was a player option in 2014 PHB. The player could just immediately take this option at character creation. In the 2024 rules it is no longer available as an option in PHB. It is now in the DMG and specifically in the DM's Toolbox chapter - a chapter to help DMs create homebrew options or consider variant rule alternatives. This means it is not something a player should take by themselves (players should not be reading the DMG, the DMG is only for the DM. This is why the DMG intro states: "the Dungeon Master’s Guide is written for the player who presides over the game and makes sure everyone is having fun. This player is the Dungeon Master, or DM.")
So in 2024 custom background is not something a player should just make on their own. If the backgrounds do not fit they should talk to the DM and the DM can then decide to follow the DMG and create a custom background with them.
Your comparison to player's crafting magical items is also a false equivalency. The rules in the DMG for players to craft magic items is in a section about Magic Items, unlike the custom background option which is in the 'how to homebrew' section (DM's Toolbox). Also, the crafting rules are for creating a magic item that already exists in the book. The creation of a "custom" magic item is homebrew and covered in the DMG's homebrew section: the DM's Toolbox. Again, it is homebrew under the responsibility of the DM to create, not the player to just make it. The player can't just make a new magic item or a new background. They can't just go "I'm making a wand of eldritch blast" and spend 5 days and 50 gold and say "I made this!" - nor can they just go "I'm creating an Engineer background" and make it. These are homebrew and these now fall on the DM to approve and make them available options - usually with the player's input. They are homebrew "at request" / "on DM's approval only" things and not something players can just "do" / "take" as they please as they can with the standard PHB options.
And to clarify: this isn't my ruling and is what the books say. Regarding custom backgrounds I don't agree with the decision to make custom backgrounds a DM thing. Backgrounds are incredibly formulaic and should be a basic PHB option, in my opinion. I personally feel that moving the custom background to the DMG, especially the homebrew section of DMG, is a seriously dumb**** move. In my games I would make custom backgrounds a standard thing. Just go make it, if it follows the formula - it's already approved. Have fun. However, this would be a houserule in 2024 rules.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Currently, despite having the new PHB and the new DMG, I can't select the custom background option in the character creator befitting the new 2024 rules.
I mean, all it needs to do is allow two of the skills to be selected, any one of the tools, the optional ability score improvement and a selectable origin feat.
Would also be nice if Homebrew Feats tagged as Origin would automatically pop up in the origin feats list of the custom background as well, so you don't have to manually add them on the sheet.
Currently, my players work with a self-made custom background, but the Homebrew tool also lacks the option to add in the ability score choices and cant add a feat selection list. This means we have to manually add the custom or normal origin feats on the sheet itself and the background gives no ability score improvements, also needing us to add them manually.
This is the exact problem I came to post about. Y'all got to fix this!
The exact thing. You can copy a 2024 background and it appears there are places for stats but they don't appear nor does the custom feat.
Got the same issue, can't create custom backgrounds in the builder or create homebrew backgrounds with the 2024 rules. no way to add ability score improvements.
Hello. I don't know if this was the case back when you originally asked this question, but when using a custom background you add the ability score points in the "Abilities" section of character creation, not the "Background" section. It's stupid considering that every premade background has you select the increases alongside every other option for the background, but that's how it is.
As for your Origin Feat. It seems you still just have to add that manually.
The in-builder custom background is 2014 rules because in 2014 rules custom background was a rule. It isn't a rule for 2024.
If you want a custom background use the homebrew tool to make one.
The homebrew tool cannot add ASI but this isn't needed: if the species doesn't grant an ASI and your background doesn't grant one, then the character still can choose an ASI under Abilities - this will be Tasha's style of ASI. If you want to restrict the choice you cannot do that mechanically but you can enter this into the description of the background. Also, you cannot choose "select any feat" or "select any Origin feat" but you can add multiple feats - such as all the Origin feats - into a list and the user will choose from your list.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
It is, it's just in the DMG.
As a DM Toolbox thing for homebrew, not as something the player can just take.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
That's not correct, or at least not a fair or logical ruling.
Otherwise you are saying players cannot craft or use any magic items if they're in the DMG not in the PHB. Just because something is in the DMG doesn't mean players have no access to or use of it by default. It is just a clarification that is more DM focused, and imo implies you should get approval first.
It's 100% a thing that should be in and accessible to players because it's a potential part of player creation. It just should be known that you check for DM approval first.
It isn't even listed as a variant rule. That innately implies it should be a basic thing players are aware of and should be often allowed access to. Backgrounds are very finite and limited, it makes backstories a more integrated and important part if you can tie it to your own custom background.
What I have stated is completely correct and I have not made a "ruling".
The "custom background" was a player option in 2014 PHB. The player could just immediately take this option at character creation. In the 2024 rules it is no longer available as an option in PHB. It is now in the DMG and specifically in the DM's Toolbox chapter - a chapter to help DMs create homebrew options or consider variant rule alternatives. This means it is not something a player should take by themselves (players should not be reading the DMG, the DMG is only for the DM. This is why the DMG intro states: "the Dungeon Master’s Guide is written for the player who presides over the game and makes sure everyone is having fun. This player is the Dungeon Master, or DM.")
So in 2024 custom background is not something a player should just make on their own. If the backgrounds do not fit they should talk to the DM and the DM can then decide to follow the DMG and create a custom background with them.
Your comparison to player's crafting magical items is also a false equivalency. The rules in the DMG for players to craft magic items is in a section about Magic Items, unlike the custom background option which is in the 'how to homebrew' section (DM's Toolbox). Also, the crafting rules are for creating a magic item that already exists in the book. The creation of a "custom" magic item is homebrew and covered in the DMG's homebrew section: the DM's Toolbox. Again, it is homebrew under the responsibility of the DM to create, not the player to just make it. The player can't just make a new magic item or a new background. They can't just go "I'm making a wand of eldritch blast" and spend 5 days and 50 gold and say "I made this!" - nor can they just go "I'm creating an Engineer background" and make it. These are homebrew and these now fall on the DM to approve and make them available options - usually with the player's input. They are homebrew "at request" / "on DM's approval only" things and not something players can just "do" / "take" as they please as they can with the standard PHB options.
And to clarify: this isn't my ruling and is what the books say. Regarding custom backgrounds I don't agree with the decision to make custom backgrounds a DM thing. Backgrounds are incredibly formulaic and should be a basic PHB option, in my opinion. I personally feel that moving the custom background to the DMG, especially the homebrew section of DMG, is a seriously dumb**** move. In my games I would make custom backgrounds a standard thing. Just go make it, if it follows the formula - it's already approved. Have fun. However, this would be a houserule in 2024 rules.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
The solution as always, is for the DM and player to communicate.