A character’s background has a lot of depth behind it, even if some players don’t regard it as too important.
Backgrounds usually contain two essential aspects that a character needs to consider: whether the stats are beneficial and what the background says about the character before becoming an adventurer.
For a full roleplaying Bard, you might look for backgrounds focusing on entertainment (music or performing), social aptitude, or joyful magic.
Contents
Best Bard Backgrounds
5. Courtier
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Set of fine clothes (Value: 15 GP Weight: 6 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 5 GP
Explanation
Courtier gives you two useful Face skills as well as two languages, which fit well because of your high Charisma.
The equipment isn’t too useful, but the background itself can be made to work for a Bard’s backstory to a certain extent.
4. Urchin
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Tool Proficiencies – Disguise kit, Thieves’ tools
Languages – None
Equipment
- Small knife (Value: 0 Weight: 0)
- Map of the city you grew up in
- Pet mouse
- Token to remember your parents by
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
Urchin gives you two great Face skills if you want to act more like a Face and take on the role of a Rogue in your party.
The Disguise kit and Thieves’ tools also let you become stealthy and get through obstacles easily without making much noise.
3. Faction Agent
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight and one Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom skill you choose, as appropriate to your faction
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Badge or emblem (Value: 5 GP Weight: 0) of your faction
- Copy of a seminal faction text (or a code book for a covert faction)
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Faction Agent gives quite one mental skill and a choice between one other Face, mental, or knowledge skill.
The languages suit you well because of your high Charisma, and the equipment you get isn’t bad at all.
2. Criminal
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Deception, Stealth
Tool Proficiencies – One type of Thieves’ tools, Gaming set
Languages – None
Equipment
- Crobaw (Value: 2 GP Weight: 5 lbs)
- Set of dark common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs) including a hood
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Criminal is probably your best bet when wanting to become a rogueish Bard, as it gives you two great Face skills.
It also gives you proficiency with Thieves’ tools, which will make getting through obstacles like doors much easier without the need to use magic.
1. Urban Bounty Hunter
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Choose two from among Deception, Insight, Perception, and Stealth
Tool Proficiencies – Choose two from among one type of Gaming set, one musical instrument, and Thieves’ tools
Languages – None
Equipment
- Set of clothes appropriate to your duties
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 20 GP
Explanation
Urban Bounty Hunter is a very versatile background that fits well with the Bard because of its Face skills.
It also gives you a choice between three tool proficiencies, which can all be useful for the Bard.
While the background itself doesn’t fit too well with a Bard’s backstory, it might fit better for a rogueish Bard, and the 20 GP isn’t something to scoff about.
Final Thoughts
We all know Bards to be charismatic, instrument-wielding goofballs, but certain backgrounds give a completely different flavor to the character or embrace their conventional self.
No matter which Bard you build, the backgrounds listed above can give you a good idea of what you can potentially build and what you should build if you want to optimize your Bard!