Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Backgrounds, Ranked

Backgrounds are one of the three important options you pick when creating your character in BG3. Some Backgrounds suit different playstyles more than others, so let’s see what are the best Backgrounds in Baldur’s Gate 3.

When creating your character in Baldur’s Gate 3, you have three important choices to make: Race, Class, and Background. While not as fundamental as Race or Class, Background can affect your playthrough in subtle ways. It gives you additional conversation options, dictates the way you gain Inspiration, and how others react to you. Naturally, some Backgrounds in Baldur’s Gate 3 are more useful for some Classes than others, so let’s take a look at what backgrounds are the best.

Best Backgrounds in Baldur’s Gate 3

Backgrounds in Baldur’s Gate 3 influence the way your character will be treated in the game, give you dialogue options, and have specific goals that award Inspiration. They also grant you Proficiency in Skills when creating your character. There are 11 Backgrounds to choose from: Acolyte, Charlatan, Criminal, Entertainer, Folk Hero, Guild Artisan, Noble, Outlander, Sage, Soldier, and Urchin.

1. Folk Hero

This Background unlocks two Wisdom-based skills (Animal Handling and Survival) and gains Inspiration by saving people and being heroic. Since Wisdom is a useful stat in any Class and most of the time players like to be the good guy, this is our pick for the best Background. Best For: any Class.

2. Guild Artisan

Guild Artisan gives you access to “social” skills: Insight (Wisdom) and Persuasion (Charisma). The best part is you are already well-known in the world for your craft, and that gives you options. This Background gains Inspiration from crafting and repairing, generally dealing with material stuff. Best For: Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Monk, Rogue, Paladin, Sorcerer, and Warlock.

3. Noble

Another favorite, this Background gives you Proficiency in the almost-essential Persuasion (Charisma) skill and History (Intelligence). More importantly, you rub elbows with the high-born which can open many doors. Noble gains inspiration by increasing the number of followers, helping other nobles, and just being bossy. Best for: Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Paladin, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard.

4. Soldier

The Soldier is that classic Background everyone tends to default to. It grants you Athletics (Strength) and Intimidation (Charisma), both useful skills. This is a great background for most Classes, as it capitalizes on combat and courage, which there will be a lot of. Best For: Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, and Paladin.

5. Urchin

Urchin is great for Classes with high Dexterity as it gives you Sleight of Hand and Stealth, both Dexterity-based skills. The Inspiration for this Background is gained in various ways, mostly helping those less fortunate. Best For: Bard, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Wizard (though playing an Urchin Barbarian would play into the Gentle Giant trope, which some players may enjoy).

6. Outlander

This Background grants you Athletics (Strength) and Survival (Wisdom), both useful skills. Outlander gains Inspiration by adventuring in the wild, which you will be doing anyway. So, if you are more focused on the adventure rather than interacting with NPCs this is the one for you. Best For: Barbarian, Druid, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue.

7. Charlatan

Another “social” Background, the Charlatan grants Proficiency in Deception (Charisma) and Sleight of Hand (Dexterity). This background gains Inspiration by deceiving and manipulating people, so it’s best suited for morally gray characters. Best For: Bard, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Warlock.

8. Criminal

The Background for the wrong side of the law, the Criminal grants you access to Deception (Charisma) and Stealth (Dexterity). This one is perfect for players who like to be where they shouldn’t be and to succeed through unsavory means. The Criminal gains Inspiration mostly by stealing and siding with questionable people. Best For: Bard, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Warlock. 

9. Acolyte

The Acolyte is best for the religious Classes in BG3. You gain Proficiency in Insight (Wisdom) and Religion (Intelligence). This Background focuses on rituals and religious artifacts for its Inspiration. Best For: Cleric, Paladin.

10. Sage

The only Background that relies heavily on Intelligence, it grants Arcane (Intelligence) and History (Intelligence). The Sage gains Inspiration by learning new things, ancient lore, and solving puzzles, which players will do naturally. Best For: Wizard.

11. Entertainer

The last on our list is the Entertainer. You gain Proficiency in Acrobatics (Dexterity) and Performance (Charisma). This Background is for a very niche playstyle, as you gain Inspiration by entertaining others and performing for people. We have ranked it as the lowest because it is only useful for a specific playthrough. Best For: Bard.

Of course, you can pick and choose any combination of Classes and Backgrounds. Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you absolute freedom in making your character in any way you like. Note that some Backgrounds work really well with some specific Subclasses. For example, if you plan on playing a Way of the Shadow Monk, then the Criminal Background could be useful.

For more BG3 articles, check out Should You Let Astarion Bite You and Drink Your Blood, How to Romance Shadowheart, and How to Free Distressed Patient and Can You Save Him.