Best Backgrounds in BG3

In Baldur's Gate 3, Backgrounds represent the life experience of your character and any skills they might have learned before becoming an adventurer. They are also one of the only traits that cannot be changed after character creation, so here are some tips that can help you choose the best background in Baldur's Gate 3.

How to choose the Best Background in Baldur's Gate 3

Each Background gives you two Skill Proficiencies, unlocks unique dialogue lines, and awards you with inspiration points when particular conditions are met — such as the Charlatan getting inspired when you talk your way through a key encounter.

Although choosing your background mostly impacts roleplay opportunities and dialogues, it works best when synergized with your class and race skill proficiencies. Because the proficiency bonus is combined with your ability modifier, it's advisable to select skills that align with your character's high stats.

Best Backgrounds for Barbarian in BG3

The most common background for this class is usually Outlander — Karlach's background — because it fits thematically and also grants you Athletics and Survival. This background grants inspiration on occasions such as surviving the hazardous wilderness, discovering something new about a plant or mushroom, taming a wild animal, or exploring a dangerous area.

On the other hand, the Background Soldier can give you some good dialogue options for when you speak with other members of the military, such as all the Flaming Fist NPCs.

Best Backgrounds for Bard in BG3

The Entertainer background is perfect for a Bard and grants them Performance and Acrobatics. They will also gain inspiration points when they recite passages correctly, write or remember songs, win games and contests, and participate in toasts and rituals.

Choosing Charlatan — Astarion's background — can also be a good option for a thievery-oriented bard, since it grants you Deception and Sleight of Hand.

Best Backgrounds for Cleric in BG3

The Acolyte — Shadowheart's background — fits the most with the Cleric because it grants Insight and Religion (two essential skills for pious characters). This background gets inspiration through certain prayers, when reading sacred passages, and witnessing rituals, among other things.

Best Backgrounds for Druid in BG3

Druids can also synergize well with the Acolyte background, but for my Tav Druid, I chose Outlander, since it fits better with the wilderness theme.

Best Backgrounds for Fighter in BG3

Soldier is the background by excellency for Fighters. You can get inspired when killing certain enemies, following orders from superiors, or defeating enemy bosses. However a Fighter can also be a Folk Hero, which is a good-aligned character that gets their kick from saving innocents and fighting injustice.

Best Backgrounds for Monk in BG3

Monks usually have high dexterity, which makes them great for the Urchin background. It fits thematically that someone who grew up in extreme poverty has been taken under the protection of a temple, and is now a monk with Sleight of Hand and Stealth proficiencies.

The Urchin gets inspired when protecting defenseless NPCs — particularly children — eating food of the rich, stealing minor trinkets, and receiving gifts.

If, instead, you want to make use of your monk's high Wisdom, you can pick the Folk Hero (Animal Handling and Survival) or the Acolyte (Insight and Religion).

Related: BG3 Inspiration Guide

Best Backgrounds for Paladin in BG3

The Soldier background (Athletics and Intimidation) aligns with the Paladin's best abilities, which are Strength and Charisma. However, playing a Noble background Paladin can be interesting with its high Persuasion and History, and can help you get the best out of every negotiation.

Nobles get their inspiration from events such as bribing, hoarding gold, hiring aides or bodyguards, and achieving high level of approval with companions, among other things.

Best Backgrounds for Ranger in BG3

The high Wisdom of the Rangers makes for a great Folk Hero (Animal Handling and Survival) or an Outlander (Athletics and Survival). While the first option can be good for characters who want to save the world, the second one is the traditional class/background combination (inspired by the archetype of Aragorn from The Lord of The Rings).

Best Backgrounds for Rogue in BG3

If your Rogue has some Charisma, you should pick the background Criminal, which gives you Deception and Stealth. This background gets inspired when stealing, betraying, escaping jail, and doing business with Zhentarims. Otherwise, it is best to stick with Urchin for Sleight of Hand and Stealth.

Related: BG3 Character Builder – Tools for Creating Builds

Best Backgrounds for Sorcerer in BG3

If your Sorcerer has high Dexterity — which they should — you should pick the background Charlatan (Deception and Sleight of Hand) to become a silver-tongued pickpocketing devil. Otherwise you could also pick Noble (History and Persuasion) or Entertainer (Acrobatics and Performance).

Best Backgrounds for Warlock in BG3

Like Sorcerers, Warlocks should have a high Charisma and decent Dexterity, so they could also benefit from the Charlatan background. However, I played an evil character and found the Criminal background to be the best, since it gave me Inspiration Points with many misdeeds I've done.

Best Backgrounds for Wizard in BG3

Sage is the perfect background for Wizards. It gives you Arcana and History, which are both Intelligence-based skills, and gets Inspiration Points from reading arcane tomes, stealing research notes, solving puzzles, and learning about constructs and magic objects.

For more on Baldur's Gate 3, check out Tavern Brawler Monk BG3 build guide or Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) Cleric guide here on Pro Game Guides.