Backgrounds
Every Background now grants an Origin Feat at character creation, making your backstory mechanically meaningful from Level 1. There are 37 Backgrounds total — 19 from the Player's Handbook and 18 from the Forgotten Realms supplement.
| BACKGROUND | ORIGIN FEAT |
|---|---|
| Acolyte | Magic Initiate (Cleric) |
| Charlatan | Skilled |
| Criminal | Alert |
| Entertainer | Musician |
| Farmer | Tough |
| Folk Hero | Savage Attacker |
| Guide | Magic Initiate (Druid) |
| Guild Artisan | Skilled |
| Haunted One | Magic Initiate (Wizard) |
| Hermit | Magic Initiate (Druid) |
| Merchant | Lucky |
| Noble | Skilled |
| Outlander | Tough |
| Sage | Magic Initiate (Wizard) |
| Sailor | Tavern Brawler |
| Scribe | Skilled |
| Soldier | Savage Attacker |
| Urchin | Lucky |
| Wayfarer | Lucky |
Each Forgotten Realms Background grants a unique Origin Feat tied to a specific faction or region of Faerûn.
| BACKGROUND | ORIGIN FEAT |
|---|---|
| Chondathan Freebooter | Skilled |
| Dead Magic Dweller | Magic Initiate (Wizard) |
| Dragon Cultist | Cult of the Dragon Initiate |
| Emerald Enclave Caretaker | Emerald Enclave Fledgling |
| Flaming Fist Mercenary | Savage Attacker |
| Genie Touched | Genie Magic |
| Harper | Harper Agent |
| Ice Fisher | Tough |
| Knight of the Gauntlet | Tyro of the Gauntlet |
| Lords' Alliance Vassal | Lords' Alliance Agent |
| Moonwell Pilgrim | Magic Initiate (Druid) |
| Mulhorandi Tomb Raider | Alert |
| Mythalkeeper | Mythal Touched |
| Purple Dragon Squire | Purple Dragon Rook |
| Rashemi Wanderer | Tough |
| Shadowmasters Exile | Alert |
| Spellfire Initiate | Spellfire Spark |
| Zhentarim Mercenary | Zhentarim Ruffian |
- Origin Feats are granted automatically when you select a Background at character creation
- They are separate from the standard Feat progression — you don't lose a Feat slot to gain them
- Some Origin Feats are exclusive to their Background and cannot be obtained any other way
- Forgotten Realms Origin Feats are particularly unique, tied to the factions and lore of Faerûn
For the full list of Origin Feats and General Feats, see Feats.
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