D&D (2024) The New Custom Backgrounds Details

[pukunui]

Wait so custom backgrounds will be available on DnD Beyond if you purchase the digital DM Guide but not if you only purchase the digital PHB?

So that's why they were omitted from the PHB even though everyone was just going to allow them anyways

I don’t know if you have to purchase the DMG or not. I just know that the 2024 custom background rules won’t be implemented on DDB until the DMG is released. It’s possible they will be added to the free basic rules, as those are going to be updated when both the DMG and the MM come out.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

I don’t know if you have to purchase the DMG or not. I just know that the 2024 custom background rules won’t be implemented on DDB until the DMG is released. It’s possible they will be added to the free basic rules, as those are going to be updated when both the DMG and the MM come out.

Good point, I sure hope so, we'll see!

 

[Mistwell]

Wait so custom backgrounds will be available on DnD Beyond if you purchase the digital DM Guide but not if you only purchase the digital PHB?

So that's why they were omitted from the PHB even though everyone was just going to allow them anyways

It makes zero sense to claim it should have been in the PHB when it's directly under DM-only control. It absolutely belongs in the DMG. That doesn't mean it won't be available on DNDBeyond for you, but it's not supposed to be done by a player.

 

[Azzy]

So, this is unsurprising given the PHB suggestion on converting old Backgrounds. Still, it's good to have this explicitly spelled out and discussed for new DMs.

 

[Horwath]

Remove any ASI from 2014 racial feats to make kin-specific origins.

That could be good.

any 4th level feat with removed ASI is good for a origin feat.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

It makes zero sense to claim it should have been in the PHB when it's directly under DM-only control. It absolutely belongs in the DMG. That doesn't mean it won't be available on DNDBeyond for you, but it's not supposed to be done by a player.

It makes zero sense to me that they are going out of their way to remove powerful character creation game mechanics from races/species (e.g. ability scores and feats) but then put them right back in to backgrounds. Custom backgrounds should absolutely not be under DM control anymore than every game mechanic can always be tailored by the DM. The default should be that backgrounds are 100% controlled by the player (unless a DM homebrews otherwise obviously)

 

[Mistwell]

It makes zero sense to me that they are going out of their way to remove powerful character creation game mechanics from races/species (e.g. ability scores and feats) but then put them right back in to backgrounds. Custom backgrounds should absolutely not be under DM control anymore than every game mechanic can always be tailored by the DM. The default should be that backgrounds are 100% controlled by the player (unless a DM homebrews otherwise obviously)

OK that's fair that's your preference. It just wasn't the feedback they got from the surveys on this topic. Custom backgrounds should be the DM's decision, according to the feedback they received from their customers.

 

[Horwath]

no wonder that they didn't have room in PHB for more subclasses or more feats or Artificer of more spells,
they wasted NINE pages on something that takes up a quarter of the page.

Great job WotC...

 

[Demetrios1453]

It makes zero sense to me that they are going out of their way to remove powerful character creation game mechanics from races/species (e.g. ability scores and feats) but then put them right back in to backgrounds. Custom backgrounds should absolutely not be under DM control anymore than every game mechanic can always be tailored by the DM. The default should be that backgrounds are 100% controlled by the player (unless a DM homebrews otherwise obviously)

I have a feeling that somewhere well above 90% of DMs are going to just go "Sure!" when asked by a player about making a custom background anyway, so for most tables, it's likely to be moot anyway.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

I have a feeling that somewhere well above 90% of DMs are going to just go "Sure!" when asked by a player about making a custom background anyway, so for most tables, it's likely to be moot anyway.

It will be moot when (if?) it shows up in the DnD Beyond character creator without having to buy the DM Guide. Until then it's a pretty huge difference to many people (myself included)