Custom background in 2014 was in PHB character creation section. Custom background in 2024 is DMG homebrew section. D&D Beyond reflects this.
And I am saying it needs to be in character creation just like the 2014 rules are. 2014 wasnt in the players handbook nor the DM's guide, they required DM approval just as the 2025 rules do. there is no difference.
D&D Beyond are going to follow the books. Your issue is not the D&D Beyond character sheet, it is the design method of the people who made the books. It is extremely unlikely they're going to create a new PHB reprint with the custom background rules in it. So, it is what it is and complaining will not solve anything.
Regardless, you can make a homebrew background to get it to work, be it something from scratch or making a copy of an official one and editing. Easy enough. Alternatively, in the character builder just select Custom Background and then Configure to set up what you can there, and for ability scores and feat these can be adjusted manually. Takes like 60 seconds.
So, to summarise:
It is the way it is because those are the official rules. It is not going to change.
You can ignore official rules and make custom background by 2 different methods to achieve exactly what you want.
-
This seems like a non-issue to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What book the rules are in is irrelevent. The 2014 custom background rules were not in the players handbook, nor the DMG. THey were in an entirely different book. and you didnt even need to have the book purchased to use that function.
Custom background in 2014 was in PHB character creation section. Custom background in 2024 is DMG homebrew section. D&D Beyond reflects this.
And I am saying it needs to be in character creation just like the 2014 rules are. 2014 wasnt in the players handbook nor the DM's guide, they required DM approval just as the 2025 rules do. there is no difference.
D&D Beyond are going to follow the books. Your issue is not the D&D Beyond character sheet, it is the design method of the people who made the books. It is extremely unlikely they're going to create a new PHB reprint with the custom background rules in it. So, it is what it is and complaining will not solve anything.
Regardless, you can make a homebrew background to get it to work, be it something from scratch or making a copy of an official one and editing. Easy enough. Alternatively, in the character builder just select Custom Background and then Configure to set up what you can there, and for ability scores and feat these can be adjusted manually. Takes like 60 seconds.
So, to summarise:
It is the way it is because those are the official rules. It is not going to change.
You can ignore official rules and make custom background by 2 different methods to achieve exactly what you want.
-
This seems like a non-issue to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What book the rules are in is irrelevent. The 2014 custom background rules were not in the players handbook, nor the DMG. THey were in an entirely different book. and you didnt even need to have the book purchased to use that function.
2014 rules are not the 2024 rules.
& Beyond isn't the rules-making part of the chain you're trying to argue.
You'd need to address the devs directly.
Which there isn't a convenient way to do, for their own safety.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
Custom background in 2014 was in PHB character creation section. Custom background in 2024 is DMG homebrew section. D&D Beyond reflects this.
And I am saying it needs to be in character creation just like the 2014 rules are. 2014 wasnt in the players handbook nor the DM's guide, they required DM approval just as the 2025 rules do. there is no difference.
D&D Beyond are going to follow the books. Your issue is not the D&D Beyond character sheet, it is the design method of the people who made the books. It is extremely unlikely they're going to create a new PHB reprint with the custom background rules in it. So, it is what it is and complaining will not solve anything.
Regardless, you can make a homebrew background to get it to work, be it something from scratch or making a copy of an official one and editing. Easy enough. Alternatively, in the character builder just select Custom Background and then Configure to set up what you can there, and for ability scores and feat these can be adjusted manually. Takes like 60 seconds.
So, to summarise:
It is the way it is because those are the official rules. It is not going to change.
You can ignore official rules and make custom background by 2 different methods to achieve exactly what you want.
-
This seems like a non-issue to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What book the rules are in is irrelevent. The 2014 custom background rules were not in the players handbook, nor the DMG. THey were in an entirely different book. and you didnt even need to have the book purchased to use that function.
It is very relevant because the point of D&D Beyond is to facilitate rulesin the books.
I don't know how to make this any clearer.
You're also wrong about it not being in the 2014 PHB. The rules for custom background are in the 2014 Player's Handbook. Specifically, Chapter 4: Personality and Background.
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.
I was mistaken, i thought they came in Tashas, because i dont remember being able to do custom backgrounds in the creator until then
regardless what book it is in, it should be part of the character creation. there is no good reason why it isnt.
Also people are so focused in telling me i am wrong that it shouldnt be part of the creator, that they are neglecting my other point about Long rests not fully restoring Hit Die.
regardless what book it is in, it should be part of the character creation. there is no good reason why it isnt.
A good reason has been given multiple times. You just don't like it - which is not the same thing.
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.
A more accurate statement might be “ a reason has been given - it’s a good reason to me even if not to you” good is subject and different for different people. A reason has been given - I grant that that reason is why it’s the way it is but that doesn’t mean he has to accept that it’s a good reason.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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What book the rules are in is irrelevent. The 2014 custom background rules were not in the players handbook, nor the DMG. THey were in an entirely different book. and you didnt even need to have the book purchased to use that function.
2014 rules are not the 2024 rules.
& Beyond isn't the rules-making part of the chain you're trying to argue.
You'd need to address the devs directly.
Which there isn't a convenient way to do, for their own safety.
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
It is very relevant because the point of D&D Beyond is to facilitate rules in the books.
I don't know how to make this any clearer.
You're also wrong about it not being in the 2014 PHB. The rules for custom background are in the 2014 Player's Handbook. Specifically, Chapter 4: Personality and Background.
2014 PHB > Chapter 4: Personality and Background > Backgrounds > Customising a Background
Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/phb-2014/personality-and-background#CustomizingaBackground
2014 Basic Rules > Chapter 4: Personality and Background > Backgrounds > Customising a Background
Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/basic-rules-2014/personality-and-background#CustomizingaBackground
For 2024, this was moved to Dungeon Master's Guide.
2024 DMG > Chapter 3: DM’s Toolbox > Creating a Background
Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/dmg-2024/dms-toolbox#CreatingaBackground
2024 Basic Rules > Dungeon Masters > DM’s Toolbox > Creating a Background
Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/dms-toolbox#CreatingaBackground
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.
I was mistaken, i thought they came in Tashas, because i dont remember being able to do custom backgrounds in the creator until then
regardless what book it is in, it should be part of the character creation. there is no good reason why it isnt.
Also people are so focused in telling me i am wrong that it shouldnt be part of the creator, that they are neglecting my other point about Long rests not fully restoring Hit Die.
A good reason has been given multiple times. You just don't like it - which is not the same thing.
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.
A more accurate statement might be “ a reason has been given - it’s a good reason to me even if not to you” good is subject and different for different people. A reason has been given - I grant that that reason is why it’s the way it is but that doesn’t mean he has to accept that it’s a good reason.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.