I know that I have several "Backgrounds" that I always seem to keep coming back to whenever I make a new character..."Urban Bounty Hunter" for tough warrior-types..."Urchin" for the misunderstood Rogue or spellcaster... "Haunted One" for monster-hunters or revenge-seekers...

It make me curious as to which "Backgrounds" people might like, and why.

What features do you find appealing about them?

What about the Personality Traits? Bonds? Flaws...?

Personally, I'm finding out about the "Knight" background for the first time somehow, and the immense fun of having three royal "Retainers" who have to put up with your eccentric adventuring lifestyle.

What are your favorite character "Backgrounds"?

Share below.

Folk Hero is my go-to background (especially if you ignore the whole “inciting event” thing sometimes). Being a farmer who leaves home to seek their fortune is a classic backstory that works for just about any character! I also use Acolyte pretty often, because like Folk Hero it works well for the principled good guy type of characters I like to play most, and my favorite class is Cleric. And if I’m not going with either of these, I’m probably going Soldier, which is a nice everyman background. It also fits well on the Lawful and Good leaning side of alignment.

So in a nutshell, Folk Hero, Acolyte, and Soldier.

I like the Urban Bounty Hunter background because it gives me useful skill proficiencies for my non-rogue sneaky types. I also like Outlander because it means I don't need to worry about tracking rations. I've also put Acolyte to great use with my cleric -- if we're going up against dangers that threaten an entire region and not just the party, they're more than happy to cast Commune for me if I need it, or a couple other spells.

Quote from pocketmouse >>

I like the Urban Bounty Hunter background because it gives me useful skill proficiencies for my non-rogue sneaky types. I also like Outlander because it means I don't need to worry about tracking rations. I've also put Acolyte to great use with my cleric -- if we're going up against dangers that threaten an entire region and not just the party, they're more than happy to cast Commune for me if I need it, or a couple other spells.

 Outlander is one of those backgrounds I’ve never actually used...but seems undeniably useful.

A bite-sized Ranger, almost.

Another player had “Outlander”...we started in Chult; then ended up in Waterdeep.

He rationalized that he could still gather rations from the land...it’d just be from within the city itself.

It became funny when the local guards asked some other members of our party if they new anything about some recent “thefts” which occurred from the market district...and also the strange man hunting pigeons in the park.

I love backgrounds that hyper focus characters on something.

I always go back to Marine from GoSM because it gives Vehicles (Land) and Vehicles (Water). I like Charlatan for the same reason (Disguise and Forgery kit). Far Traveler, Urchin, Cloistered Scholar and Faceless all give two skills that use the same ability score. That's just my jam.

Quote from Tony1Adobe >>

Another player had “Outlander”...we started in Chult; then ended up in Waterdeep.

He rationalized that he could still gather rations from the land...it’d just be from within the city itself.

It became funny when the local guards asked some other members of our party if they new anything about some recent “thefts” which occurred from the market district...and also the strange man hunting pigeons in the park.

 I love it!

For a drow companion with a high elf, our backgrounds were going to be Faction Agents for the Shadar-Kai. So if we ever needed an excuse to disappear we'd just find a 'slip' in to the negative plane. Also makes it fun to find momentos that were especially important to other people and offering it to the Raven Queen (Faerun).

Folk Hero, Clan Crafter, and Outlander are probably my 3 most common. I like Inheritor and Criminal/Spy too.