Custom Backgrounds - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Custom Backgrounds

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
DrOct
Sep 27, 2010 15:41:04 Is there any way to create customized backgrounds in the CB? Especially with associated skill/language benefits?

I ask because of course none of the default backgrounds quite fit what we'd like to do for the players in my game, and I've noticed that nearly everywhere that backgrounds are discussed, they talk about creating your own. Is this possible in the CB?

If that's not technically possible is there a way to add arbitrary bonuses to skills? Like could we come up with our own background and then add a +2 to a given skill for that player (and have it reflected on the character sheet?). Or are we best off just hand-writing in the +'s and crossing out and re-totaling the skill bonus on our own?
#2
phoffman
Sep 27, 2010 17:26:39 When you view the character sheet, it is possible to change numbers that you see on the sheet. I believe this is done by right-clicking on the number and selecting edit.

I don't remember if this change stays with the character each time you open the sheet, or if it goes away once you level the character.

My suggestion would be to select an existing background from the list for the +2 skill or add to your class list and then ignore the history of that background. Make up your own history to fit that skill.
#3
jp585
Sep 27, 2010 17:36:37 In this thread I suggested that a bunch of 'builders' be added to the Adventure Tools and be made so that whatever they built be imported into Character Builder.
community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
Backgrounds are on the list of builders next to Race Builder, Feat Builder, Power Builder, Familiar/Companion Builder, Item Builder.
#4
Kaviyd3
Sep 28, 2010 15:43:17
Once you get past the Forgotten Realms and Scales of War backgrounds, most of the remaining backgrounds grant one of three benefits:

1) Add skill to class skill list.

2) Add +2 to any single skill.

3) Learn any language legal for your campaign.

Why not just let a player pick one of these options and then fill in his own fluff text? It would certainly be less effort than maintaining an ever-growing list of backgrounds that can all be reduced to one of these options -- and it would also save a player the trouble of searching through an extensive list to find the background that gives him the benefit that he wants.
#5
DrOct
Sep 29, 2010 16:04:54 Oh I agree, I wouldn't be trying to create a whole new raft of backgrounds for the players to search through. Just working with the players to make up new, individual backgrounds for each character that they would then pick and have the benefits automatically show up on the sheet. (It would also be cool to have some custom fluff text show up).

But the best option might be just to pick one with the mechanical benefits we're looking for and ignore the flavor text.

I just thought if it was possible it'd be nice to have the flavor text, mechanical benefits, and the actual character all match.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 DrOct Sep 27, 2010 15:41:04	Is there any way to create customized backgrounds in the CB? Especially with associated skill/language benefits? I ask because of course none of the default backgrounds quite fit what we'd like to do for the players in my game, and I've noticed that nearly everywhere that backgrounds are discussed, they talk about creating your own. Is this possible in the CB? If that's not technically possible is there a way to add arbitrary bonuses to skills? Like could we come up with our own background and then add a +2 to a given skill for that player (and have it reflected on the character sheet?). Or are we best off just hand-writing in the +'s and crossing out and re-totaling the skill bonus on our own?
#2 phoffman Sep 27, 2010 17:26:39	When you view the character sheet, it is possible to change numbers that you see on the sheet. I believe this is done by right-clicking on the number and selecting edit. I don't remember if this change stays with the character each time you open the sheet, or if it goes away once you level the character. My suggestion would be to select an existing background from the list for the +2 skill or add to your class list and then ignore the history of that background. Make up your own history to fit that skill.
#3 jp585 Sep 27, 2010 17:36:37	In this thread I suggested that a bunch of 'builders' be added to the Adventure Tools and be made so that whatever they built be imported into Character Builder. community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758... Backgrounds are on the list of builders next to Race Builder, Feat Builder, Power Builder, Familiar/Companion Builder, Item Builder.
#4 Kaviyd3 Sep 28, 2010 15:43:17	Once you get past the Forgotten Realms and Scales of War backgrounds, most of the remaining backgrounds grant one of three benefits: 1) Add skill to class skill list. 2) Add +2 to any single skill. 3) Learn any language legal for your campaign. Why not just let a player pick one of these options and then fill in his own fluff text? It would certainly be less effort than maintaining an ever-growing list of backgrounds that can all be reduced to one of these options -- and it would also save a player the trouble of searching through an extensive list to find the background that gives him the benefit that he wants.
#5 DrOct Sep 29, 2010 16:04:54	Oh I agree, I wouldn't be trying to create a whole new raft of backgrounds for the players to search through. Just working with the players to make up new, individual backgrounds for each character that they would then pick and have the benefits automatically show up on the sheet. (It would also be cool to have some custom fluff text show up). But the best option might be just to pick one with the mechanical benefits we're looking for and ignore the flavor text. I just thought if it was possible it'd be nice to have the flavor text, mechanical benefits, and the actual character all match.