How have people dealt with characters with mixed backgrounds? For example a character started as an urchin but then became a soldier as a way out, or a charlatan who had to hide and became an acolyte. I'm wondering if a player should just choose the one that was more dominant or if there are good ways to mix and match based on RP backstory rather than using the notion to min/max.
It's an interesting idea. I usually lean more toward picking one or the other, but homebrewing a background is pretty easy, so mixing and matching the relevant bits to make one that fits your character idea shouldn't be too hard. Look over the PHB section for customizing a background, that should get you there.
The thing about backgrounds is that they are VERY flexible. There is even a section before the listed background that talks about customizing a background. Perhaps these particular characters have one skill proficiency from each background and one tool/language proficiency from each background. Just have them pick which of the background special "features" they feel fits best with the character.
The general formula for background proficiencies is as follows:
Skill Proficiencies: Two skills Tool/Language Proficiencies: Two tools OR two languages OR one tool and one language
You can also just make a new background with your DM if nothing fits the bill. Backgrounds are the one part of character creation where the rules really encourage you to personalize your character and not be limited by pre-existing options. In fact, the Player's Handbook refers to its own backgrounds as "sample backgrounds", suggesting that they're more a starting point for you to base yours off of rather than a definitive list.
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How have people dealt with characters with mixed backgrounds? For example a character started as an urchin but then became a soldier as a way out, or a charlatan who had to hide and became an acolyte. I'm wondering if a player should just choose the one that was more dominant or if there are good ways to mix and match based on RP backstory rather than using the notion to min/max.
It's an interesting idea. I usually lean more toward picking one or the other, but homebrewing a background is pretty easy, so mixing and matching the relevant bits to make one that fits your character idea shouldn't be too hard. Look over the PHB section for customizing a background, that should get you there.
The thing about backgrounds is that they are VERY flexible. There is even a section before the listed background that talks about customizing a background. Perhaps these particular characters have one skill proficiency from each background and one tool/language proficiency from each background. Just have them pick which of the background special "features" they feel fits best with the character.
The general formula for background proficiencies is as follows:
Skill Proficiencies: Two skills
Tool/Language Proficiencies: Two tools OR two languages OR one tool and one language
Thanks, I didn't realize that was in the PHB.
You can also just make a new background with your DM if nothing fits the bill. Backgrounds are the one part of character creation where the rules really encourage you to personalize your character and not be limited by pre-existing options. In fact, the Player's Handbook refers to its own backgrounds as "sample backgrounds", suggesting that they're more a starting point for you to base yours off of rather than a definitive list.
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