As you jump through homebrewing hoops, you'll probably find that the 5e Background mechanism doesn't quite do the job demanded by the new playtest material.
To really capture some of those features, I've found that it's better to simply include a series of "Background" features in my test races.
This leaves our classic Background in the character creator ripe for exploitation for other playtest opportunities, like spell lists!
Step 1: Create A Custom Background
On the dropdown menu at the top, select 'Collections' and then 'Create a Background'.
Select the big blue 'Create from Scratch' button. There are no 5e backgrounds worth stealing for this.
Step 2: ;Define your background
There are three fields you have to worry about here.
Name. Arcane/Divine/Primal Spellcaster (you may want to prepend this with something like "(One D&D)" to separate it from your other homebrew.
Description. Keep this simple. I went with "You are an Arcane Spellcaster"
Feature. This is what will show up in your character sheet. Name the feature Arcane/Divine/Primal Spell List.
Copy and paste the entire spell list from the playtest PDF. This initially just be a plain text listing of all spells with the spell level headers mixed in.
Formatting the Feature
If you click the </> button on the text editor for your feature, you'll see a list of spells separated by <br />. This is a line break within a paragraph and is how you keep from adding space between you spells.
To keep things readable, replace the <br /> just before "1st Level Spells" with "</p><p>" (no quotes). This will add some visual space between your cantrips and 1st-level spells. Hit Ok. You're done in the source code editor.
Highlight "0-Level Spells (Cantrips)" and hit the big 'B' at the top of the text editor to bold it. Then do the same for "1st-Level Spells".
Hit the big Save button
Step 3: Make Spells Available
Scroll all the way down to the bottom and click 'Add Spell List'
Name this spell list the same as your feature.
Put your playtest PDF adjacent to your browser window or have a printout of the spell list handy.
Either copy and paste the name of your first cantrip (no spaces) or type it and click on the suggestion that pops up. You'll see that spell is added to the list.
Repeat this step for each cantrip and 1st-level spell. The lists are still short and relatively easy to get through if you're comfortable with your keyboard.
Before you hit save! Look over the PDF and your spell list to make sure you haven't missed a spell. This is the last time you'll see these in order on this screen.
Hit the big save button
Step 4: Assign to character
Assign the background to an existing or new character with a spellcasting class.
View the Character sheet.
Navigate to the spellcasting section and select 'Manage Spells'
Spells from your background will show with a (+) in front of the spell name.
Note: Paladins don't get Cantrips, but you'll still see them on this list. This is fine. The character sheet will still only allow level spell levels for the class. If it bothers you sufficiently, create a separate Divine Spellcaster background without cantrips.
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As you jump through homebrewing hoops, you'll probably find that the 5e Background mechanism doesn't quite do the job demanded by the new playtest material.
To really capture some of those features, I've found that it's better to simply include a series of "Background" features in my test races.
This leaves our classic Background in the character creator ripe for exploitation for other playtest opportunities, like spell lists!
Step 1: Create A Custom Background
On the dropdown menu at the top, select 'Collections' and then 'Create a Background'.
Select the big blue 'Create from Scratch' button. There are no 5e backgrounds worth stealing for this.
Step 2: ;Define your background
There are three fields you have to worry about here.
Name. Arcane/Divine/Primal Spellcaster (you may want to prepend this with something like "(One D&D)" to separate it from your other homebrew.
Description. Keep this simple. I went with "You are an Arcane Spellcaster"
Feature. This is what will show up in your character sheet. Name the feature Arcane/Divine/Primal Spell List.
Copy and paste the entire spell list from the playtest PDF. This initially just be a plain text listing of all spells with the spell level headers mixed in.
Hit the big Save button
Step 3: Make Spells Available
Scroll all the way down to the bottom and click 'Add Spell List'
Name this spell list the same as your feature.
Put your playtest PDF adjacent to your browser window or have a printout of the spell list handy.
Either copy and paste the name of your first cantrip (no spaces) or type it and click on the suggestion that pops up. You'll see that spell is added to the list.
Repeat this step for each cantrip and 1st-level spell. The lists are still short and relatively easy to get through if you're comfortable with your keyboard.
Before you hit save! Look over the PDF and your spell list to make sure you haven't missed a spell. This is the last time you'll see these in order on this screen.
Hit the big save button
Step 4: Assign to character
Assign the background to an existing or new character with a spellcasting class.
View the Character sheet.
Navigate to the spellcasting section and select 'Manage Spells'
Spells from your background will show with a (+) in front of the spell name.
Note: Paladins don't get Cantrips, but you'll still see them on this list. This is fine. The character sheet will still only allow level spell levels for the class. If it bothers you sufficiently, create a separate Divine Spellcaster background without cantrips.