D&D (2024) The New Custom Backgrounds Details

[Demetrios1453]

That's not text encouraging players to collaborate with the DM to create custom backgrounds. That's text encouraging players to ask the DM what background options the DM offers. There's no rule suggesting the DM make custom backgrounds available by default the way the DM in your hypothetical conversation does.

I don't see any way where "additional" does not include "custom" within its (very broad) definition. Custom backgrounds aren't in the PHB, and, thus, by any definition of the word I can think of, must be "additional" to the ones in the PHB.

How exactly, in your opinion, are custom backgrounds not a subset of backgrounds additional to those in the PHB?

 

[Remathilis]

That's not text encouraging players to collaborate with the DM to create custom backgrounds. That's text encouraging players to ask the DM what background options the DM offers. There's no rule suggesting the DM make custom backgrounds available by default the way the DM in your hypothetical conversation does.

Compare that situation to the situation in the 2014, when the PHB had explicit rules for players customizing the game mechanics of their backgrounds, without having to ask the DM for permission. Custom backgrounds were a default part of the character creation process described in the 2014 PHB. The 2024 PHB doesn't even mention that it's possible to customize a background.

No, the text is suggesting the player ask the DM what options are available, which the DM can respond with:

1. The PHB stuff.
2. Other supplements
3. Older 2014 supplements
4. Homemade or 3rd party stuff
5. Make your own/customize.

It's the DMs job to advise what other options are available, just like with species and classes.

 

[pukunui]

I don't know where this story got started, but this is incorrect. You can homebrew 2024-style backgrounds on DDB right now, and have been able to since the revised PHB was released.

There's a difference between creating a custom homebrew background and using the "custom background" template in the Backgrounds section. Right now, the latter only really works for 2014-style backgrounds. My understanding is that there will be a 2024-style custom background template available once the DMG drops. One that you can access and customize from the Backgrounds tab of the character generator without having to homebrew anything.

 

[Oofta]

I tried to share my version (2024 Generic Background) but it may not be showing up, so here's how to create your own.

In DDB go to Collections > My Homebrew Creations > Create A ... > Background > Create from Scratch

The first thing that comes up is Basic Information. Name your background something. I named mine 2024 Generic Background so that it shows up at the top of the list. Fill in the details. These don't really matter and you can hyperlink but I didn't bother. What I put
Introduction: Use this as custom background
Skill: Choose 2 skills
Tool: Choose a tool, gaming set or musical instrument
Equipment: 50 GP.
Feature Name: Choose an origin feat

Skill and Proficiencies.
This is kind of annoying, but just select all possible skills and tools. Note that for the tools, you should be careful to get the 2024 version since there's a little bit of descriptive text.

Equipment
Equipment Phrase: "Starting Gold"
Individual Choices: "Gold" > Add Choice Text
Associated Data Type > Gold > Gold Value: 50

I left the rest (including Granted Feat) blank.

Adding the orgin feat
There's not a great way to do this, so when creating a PC go to your character sheet > Features & Traits > Feats > Manage Feats > select your origin feat.

Hope that helps!

 

[Epic Meepo]

I don't see any way where "additional" does not include "custom" within its (very broad) definition. Custom backgrounds aren't in the PHB, and, thus, by any definition of the word I can think of, must be "additional" to the ones in the PHB.

How exactly, in your opinion, are custom backgrounds not a subset of backgrounds additional to those in the PHB?

I must not be explaining myself clearly, because I agree that DMs are able to offer custom backgrounds as additional background options. I'm not arguing that custom backgrounds don't exist in the 2024 ruleset. I'm simply observing that those rules are in the DMG, not the PHB.

The only reason I keep raising objections in background threads is because posters seem to be implying the 2024 PHB has rules for creating custom backgrounds. It doesn't. The 2024 PHB clearly indicates that additional background options exist, but it doesn't actually state what those additional options are. The onus of explaining the additional options to players falls on the DM.

In 2014, if I wanted my players to have rules for customizing their backgrounds when creating their characters prior to the first gaming session, I could just say, "For this game, you can use any character option in the PHB." Without having to reference the DMG, that provides my players with all the information they need to create custom backgrounds for themselves.

In 2024, if I want my players to have those same options when creating characters prior to the first gaming session, I have to say, "For this game, you can use any character option in the PHB, plus you can also use the rules in the DMG for creating new backgrounds." Any players who don't already know those rules must then consult the DMG while creating their character.

 

[Epic Meepo]

No, the text is suggesting the player ask the DM what options are available, which the DM can respond with:

1. The PHB stuff.
2. Other supplements
3. Older 2014 supplements
4. Homemade or 3rd party stuff
5. Make your own/customize.

It's the DMs job to advise what other options are available, just like with species and classes.

I don't think we're in disagreement. In the post you responded to, I was attempting to make the exact same point you just made. In 2024, the DM explains what background options are available, not all of which are listed in the PHB. The DMG has rules for the many options the DM can provide.

 

[Yaarel]

I have to say, "For this game, you can use any character option in the PHB, plus you can also use the rules in the DMG for creating new backgrounds." Any players who don't already know those rules must then consult the DMG while creating their character.

The rules for creating a new background are on page 177 of the Players Handbook. When the DM tells players to customize their backgrounds, the DM can have them look at page 177. They dont need to see the DMs Guide.

 

[Epic Meepo]

The rules for creating a new background are on page 177 of the Players Handbook. When the DM tells players to customize their backgrounds, the DM can have them look at page 177. They dont need to see the DMs Guide.

Page 177 of the 2024 PHB has a list of features that all backgrounds have, but it does not have any rules players can use to pick new values for those features. In most cases, it's easy enough to figure out, but that's not the same as having an actual, explicit rule.

Case in point: The actual rules for creating a custom background from the 2024 DMG, as revealed in the video in the OP, place explicit restrictions on what equipment a custom background can offer. Those restrictions aren't mentioned anywhere in the 2024 PHB.

If I take the Parts of a Background section of the PHB and assume I can choose anything I want that conforms to that background format, I can create a background that gives me a magic weapon as my starting equipment. The actual rules for custom backgrounds in the DMG don't allow that.