D&D 5E Chapter lay-out in the PHB...

[JohnnyNitro]

Maybe it's just me, but does it seem as if the Chapter structure in the Player's Handbook is a little bit out-of-whack? Just re-perusing the PHB and I realized I think that the Backgrounds should be placed before Classes. It makes chronological and thematic sense (at least to me...) This eliminates the whole "If your Class already gives you this skill" conundrum and expedites character creation.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

I agree that background before class (and maybe even before race) makes sense from an efficiency of character creation point of view - but background being chosen first would only change "If your class already gives you this skill" to "if you choose a skill that your background gave you, you can instead choose any skill".

I think the order of the chapters are what they are because of tradition - you choose your race, choose your class, and fill in the other details (which now include background) in that order in the step-by-step process of every edition of D&D I've ever encountered.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Maybe, but most people don't think in terms of backgrounds, but of races and classes. And having to choose different I think diversifies tour character a bit more.

 

[DM Howard]

I guess I see the OP's point but, as JohnnyNitro pointed out, it was most likely a tradition type of decision. I have never had too much of a problem with it. If you want a true test of your nerves of steel and actually find yourself coming out the other end a Smeagol than check the flipping back and forth to make a character in the latest edition of Shadowrun. "We only wants to play the game precious," *gollum* *gollum* "Didn't know we wouldn't gets to play until we were married precious?!"