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 Fighter, you might look for backgrounds focusing on bodily strength, battles fought, and physical labor.
Contents
Best Fighter Backgrounds
5. Sailor
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Athletics, Perception
Tool Proficiencies – Navigator’s tools, vehicles (water)
Languages – None
Equipment
- Belaying pin club (Value: 1 SP Weight: 2lbs)
- 50 feet of silk rope (Value: 10 GP Weight: 5lbs)
- A lucky charm like a small stone with a hole in the middle or a rabbit foot (you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table)
- A set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
Sailor gives you two very valuable Fighter skills, as well as Navigator’s tools and vehicles (water) proficiency.
The only problem with Sailor is that it’s most useful in aquatic campaigns or campaigns that also include a lot of water-based travel.
It’s quite accurate to say that many Fighters wouldn’t stray away from working on a ship, so this could easily fit into your backstory.
4. Cloistered Scholar
Description
Skill Proficiencies – History, as well as a choice of one from among Religion, Arcana, and Nature
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- The scholar’s robes (Value: 1 GP Weight: 4 lbs) of your cloister
- Writing kit (small pouch [Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb] with a quill [Value: 2 CP Weight: 0], a bottle of ink [Value: 10 GP Weight: 0.0625 lb], some folded parchment [Value: 1 SP Weight: 0], and a small penknife [Value: 0 Weight: 0])
- Borrowed book (Value: 25 GP Weight: 5 lbs) on the subject of your current study
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
Cloistered Scholar is the perfect background for an Eldritch Knight, as it gives you access to two knowledge skills.
It also gives you two languages, which can be useful but is mostly wasted because of your low Charisma.
The equipment you get from Cloistered Scholar is very valuable, so it’s definitely worth taking.
3. 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 use Dexterity-based actions.
The Disguise kit and Thieves’ tools also let you become stealthy and get through obstacles easily without making much noise.
2. Outlander
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Athletics, Survival
Tool Proficiencies – One type of musical instrument
Languages – One of your choice
Equipment
- Staff (Value: 2 SP Weight: 4 lbs)
- Hunting trap (Value: 5 GP Weight: 25 lbs)
- Trophy from an animal you killed
- Set of Traveler’s clothes (Value: 2 GP Weight: 4 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
Outlander has some excellent Fighter skills that can be applicable in most areas of D&D.
The language and musical instrument isn’t too useful, but the background itself can fit well with a Fighter’s backstory.
1. Soldier
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Athletics, Intimidation
Tool Proficiencies – One type of vehicle (land), Gaming set
Languages – None
Equipment
- Insignia of rank
- A trophy that was taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger [Value: 2 GP Weight: 1 lb], broken blade, or piece of a banner)
- Set of bone dice (Value: 1 SP Weight: 0) or a deck of cards (Value: 5 SP Weight: 0)
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
Soldier gives you one decent Fighter skill and one excellent Fighter skill.
The Gaming set isn’t too useful, but the vehicle (land) proficiency can definitely be applicable in many campaigns where you travel long distances before having access to teleportation.
Soldier is also a very good roleplay background for almost any Fighter out there.
Final Thoughts
Fighters are a lot like Barbarians but act more like shielded heroes who deal insane damage to single targets.
With the backgrounds mentioned above, a Fighter will gain quite a lot of useful benefits, though they are quite small.
These backgrounds can even be altered to create a different backstory to fit the flavor of your intended character, but with all the benefits you want!