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 Paladin, you might look for backgrounds focusing on being pious, stalwart, and proving yourself to your god.
Contents
Best Paladin 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 good Paladin skills as well as two languages that fit well with your high Charisma.
In certain worlds, the nobility would certainly include some or even quite a few divine figures, so this background can fit well with the backstory of a Paladin.
4. 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 offers two very fitting skills for the Paladin, as well as a Gaming set and vehicle (land) proficiencies.
The vehicle proficiency’s usefulness will depend on what type of Campaign you’re playing, but overall, it’s quite useful.
3. 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 gives you some very good skills to choose from, as well as a Gaming set and Thieves’ tools, which are more useful than you’d think.
The background itself can also fit quite well for certain Paladins and the 20 GP you get is fantastic.
2. City Watch
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Athletics, Insight
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Uniform in the style of your respective unit and indicative of your rank
- Horn (Value: 3 GP Weight: 2 lbs) with which to summon help
- Set of manacles (Value: 2 GP Weight: 6 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
City Watch gives you two great Paladin skills as well as two languages, which is even better as you have high Charisma.
Its equipment isn’t bad, and the background can fit with a Paladin backstory, especially in a holier city, making use of divine warriors as city guards.
1. 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: 3 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Faction Agent gives you a lot of versatility when choosing a skill, and it also gives you two languages that work well with your high Charisma.
The background itself also makes a lot of sense for a Paladin, and the equipment you get is decent.
Final Thoughts
Paladins are the divine warriors of D&D, expelling evil with their sword and smiting it with their magic.
The backgrounds in this list fit Paladins the best, providing them with small benefits that they’ll feel in the long run.
You can even change the details of the background to fit with your Paladin, leaving you with the most of both worlds!