D&D 5E I think I prefer backgrounds in 2014

[Stormonu]

I will always prefer fixed ASI's to floating. I also like the 2014 backgrounds, and actually wish they had higher level effects beyond the 1st level abilities, somewhat like subclasses.

 

[Moorcrys]

I understand they have the option to make your own in the DMG, but the background list in the PHB seems to limit creativity rather than expand on it, which is why I thought they moved it from species to begin with. They should have divorced attributes and feats from backgrounds and species entirely if they didn’t want to play into stereotypes. I feel like the backgrounds are more limiting now than species choice ever were.

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

Backgrounds previously were a low-impact RP feature - given that they consisted primarily of Ribbon abilities and could be fully customized as a baseline rule. One or two tool proficiencies and a background feature isn't going to make or break a character.

Now they've got baked in optimization - picking a fun-for-RP background necessarily means that you are taking a hit on optimization. A nonstandard background has a huge opportunity cost. Something like a Sailor Wizard or Soldier Druid is going to suffer significantly.

 

[Minigiant]

Part of the problem, I think, is they ditched the personal characteristics and the RP-oriented features, which added flavor, in favor of a free feat … but there aren’t many origin feats to choose from (yet), which narrows the playing field for 2024 backgrounds considerably. The fixed ASIs are also unnecessarily constraining.

The other problem was that 2014 background imposed a role-playing element onto the world.

This put the onus on the DM to give opportunities for these roleplay element to work in the campaign.

Many DMs did not like being forced to implement roleplay elements on their game based on a mechanical choice.

2024 origins and backgrounds put the roleplay solely on the player side.

 

[abirdcall]

In my experience people rarely engaged in choosing traits, and when they did they were often forgotten. The special ability was even more rarely used/applicable.

New backgrounds have mechanical weight which makes them have a 'real' impact on who the character is and what they can do.

People can still come up with traits for their 2024 characters if they want as well.

 

[Dax Doomslayer]

I love the feat part of 2024 backgrounds. I think a curated list for those origin feats is appropriate too - it just needs more feats. I hate the ASIs linked to backgrounds however. Like a number of people said earlier, get rid of the ASIs. Either add the ASI to the class (i.e. fighter can take +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 in Str/Dext/Con) which would work for me or dump ASIs altogether.

I do miss the RPG elements around Traits/Bonds/Flaws so I'm still using that in 2024.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Backgrounds previously were a low-impact RP feature - given that they consisted primarily of Ribbon abilities and could be fully customized as a baseline rule. One or two tool proficiencies and a background feature isn't going to make or break a character.

Now they've got baked in optimization - picking a fun-for-RP background necessarily means that you are taking a hit on optimization. A nonstandard background has a huge opportunity cost. Something like a Sailor Wizard or Soldier Druid is going to suffer significantly.

"suffer significantly" =/= being 5% less adept at something

 

[jayoungr]

In 2014, you couldn't be a strong gnome or a smart half-orc.

Sure you could, once Tasha's came out.

(And even before that, you could either accept a 16 rather than an 18 at level 1, with another stat being bumped as compensation, or negotiate with your DM.)

 

[Weiley31]

You know, I'm just saying, a LOT of those UA feats over the years and what not would probably make great background/origin feat selections.

 

[MGibster]

This is one of those things where I feel WotC simply can't win no matter what they do. People complained about attribute score improvements based on a character's species, many because it reminded them of biological essentialism and made them feel icky, and still others who simply wanted more freedom in how they assigned improvements. A lot of people supported attaching such things as ASI and skills to backgrounds as they felt it made more sense for these things to be cultural rather than biological.