Best Backgrounds For Each Class In Baldur’s Gate 3

Backgrounds are independent of race and class, making the selection a bit more difficult. Let us help you select the best background for your characters in Baldur's Gate 3.

Backgrounds provide a backstory to your created character in any RPG. They are independent of the class or race you choose. Each background also provides two starting skill proficiencies and determines the origin and inspiration of your character. Because of these features and bonuses, it is imperative to select the absolute best backgrounds for your custom character in Baldur’s Gate 3.

FYI

Depending on your background, you will get special quests and how the people in the world perceive you. Upon performing actions that match your background, you get Inspiration points, which you can use to re-roll your dice.

Best Background for Barbarian Class

As the Barbarian class relies on Strength as their primary skill, proficiency in any skill that enhances your strength is the best match for it. For this reason, we have two background selections that suit the Barbarian class the best. 

  • Outlander: This background provides efficiency in Athletics and Survival skills. Athletics provides a +5 bonus to your Strength rolls and saves you from being shoved. Survival helps you stay alive in the wild and makes you more resourceful. 
  • Soldier: The best background for a Barbarian, it provides proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation. You can now threaten or bully your opponents to accept your demands.

Best Background for Bard Class

Magicians who use music and stories as their weapon, Charisma is the main ability of the Bard class. Therefore, we have selected the two best backgrounds for our Bard. 

  • Charlatan: This background provides proficiency in Deception and Sleight of Hands skills. You can deceive your foes with exaggerated accounts and pickpocket or open locks without anyone knowing.
  • Entertainer: You get proficiency in Acrobatics and Performance skills. You can now sway the crowd in your favor and inspire them with your grandiose speeches.

Best Background for Cleric Class

Clerics are priests and champions of common people. They use Wisdom as their main ability and due to their peculiar nature, Folk Hero is the best background for them. 

  • Folk Hero: This background makes you a champion of people who protect the innocent and kill the monsters. You get proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival skills for this background. 
  • Acolyte: This is another good option for our Cleric build. The Acolyte background makes you a religious, humble person with proficiency in Insight and Religion skills.

Best background for Druid Class

Druids are shapeshifters that yield the power of nature. They rely on Wisdom as their main ability, which makes Folk Hero the best background option for them.

  • Folk Hero: This background makes you a champion of people who protect the innocent and kill the monsters. You get proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival skills for this background.

Best Background for Fighter Class

As the name suggests, the Fighter class is proficient in weapons, armor, and martial combat. They use Dexterity and/or Strength as their main abilities. Due to their martial prowess in battle, we have selected the following background for the Fighter class.

  • Soldier: With a military background, you know battle tactics and how to gain an upper hand during combat. Bravery and combat smartness are second nature. You also get proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation skills with a Soldier background.

Best Background for Monk Class

Monks don’t believe in weapons, and they channel cosmic energy for martial arts attacks. Their main abilities are Wisdom and Dexterity. To match and enhance these traits, we have selected the following Backgrounds for our Monk build. 

  • Urchin: Being born poor and raised on the streets, you know how to survive the most difficult circumstances. You also become proficient in Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills. Both these proficiencies are a must-have for the Monk build. 
  • Criminal: You have a connection with criminal organizations and can manipulate the law in your favor. This background provides proficiency in Deception and Stealth skills, both perfect for a Monk.

Best background for Paladin Class

Paladins are holy warriors who can use any weapons or shields to protect the realm of Faerun. The main abilities of Paladin are Strength and Charisma. The best backgrounds for any Paladin build are. 

  • Soldier: With a military background, you know battle tactics and how to gain an upper hand during combat. Bravery and combat smartness are second nature. You also get proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation skills with a Soldier background. 
  • Noble: Born in a rich and powerful family, you gain inspiration from having loyal followers. You also gain proficiency in History and Persuasion skills.

Best Background for Ranger Class

Rangers are protectors of the realm who can manipulate natural magic for survival. They use Dexterity and Wisdom as their main abilities. Outlander is one of the best backgrounds for a Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3 as it provides high sustainability in harsh environments, away from civilization.

  • Outlander: This background provides efficiency in Athletics and Survival skills. Athletics provides a +5 bonus to your Strength rolls and saves you from being shoved. Survival helps you stay alive in the wild and makes you more resourceful.
  • Folk Hero: This background makes you a champion of people who protect the innocent and kill the monsters. You get proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival skills for this background.

Best Background for Rogue Class

Rogues are masters of stealth and use tricks to deceive people and overcome problems. They use Dexterity as their main ability. The best backgrounds for Rogues in Baldur’s Gate 3 are.

  • Charlatan: This background provides proficiency in Deception and Sleight of Hands skills. You can deceive your foes with exaggerated accounts and pickpocket or open locks without anyone knowing.
  • Urchin: Being born poor and raised on the streets, you know how to survive the most difficult circumstances. You also become proficient in Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills, making it a must-have for Astarion build.

Best Background for Sorcerer Class

Sorcerers are born magic casters that use the Charisma ability to cast spells. The best backgrounds for Sorcerer in Baldur’s Gate 3 are. 

  • Noble: Born in a rich and powerful family, you gain inspiration from having loyal followers. You also gain proficiency in History and Persuasion skills. 
  • Sage: You are lore hungry, and learning about the past greatly inspires you. You also gain proficiency in Arcana and History skills, which perfectly match any Sorcerer build.
  • Guild Artisan: You are a skilled person who gets multiple benefits at registered guilds. You also gain proficiency in Insight and Persuasion skills, both a must-have for Sorcerers.

Best Background for Warlock Class

Obsessed with wielding magic, Warlocks gain their abilities by making a pact with some entity or deity. They also use Charisma as their main skill and become more proficient by selecting the following backgrounds. 

  • Sage: You are lore hungry, and learning about the past greatly inspires you. You also gain proficiency in Arcana and History skills. 
  • Hermit: Society no longer entices you, and you gain inspiration in solitude. You also become proficient in Medicine and Religion, two must-have skills for a warlock build.

Best Background for Wizard Class

An avid student of magic and spellcasting, Sorcerers use Intelligence as their main ability. For them to gain even more advantages than they already have, we have selected the following backgrounds. 

  • Sage: You are lore hungry, and learning about the past greatly inspires you. You also gain proficiency in Arcana and History skills. 
  • Acolyte: The Acolyte background makes you a religious, humble person with proficiency in Insight and Religion skills.
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