Pokemon 5e Backgrounds

Many D&D backgrounds don't work well set in a Pokemon world. When starting your journey, you might choose one of the following backgrounds for your character instead.

Any of the proficiencies or knowledge can be swapped out for different ones. If you change your Item Knowledge, you also change the Bonus Equipment to one related to your Item Knowledge.

Optional Rule Changes:

While everyone knows basic items like Pokeballs or Potions, a brand new Trainer won't know about every item.

Tool and Language proficiencies have been replaced with Item Knowledge. You have advantage on checks when it comes to the specified items.

Your DM might let you replace some of your Starting equipment with Bonus Equipment. These are items related to the character's Item Knowledge.

Athlete (The Brawn)

Sports are your forte. Maybe you grew up playing alongside the local Pokemon. You know the nearby lake or cliffside like the back of your hand. Always taking charge of the situation, the neighborhood kids all look up to you. But now you know that you're ready to leave the little leagues behind and start a Pokemon journey of your own.

Talk to your DM about the local adventures you've been a part of. What was your role?

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival

Item Knowledge: X Items, Vitamins

Bonus Equipment: X Items totalling less than ₽1,200

Connoisseur (The Chill)

You spend more time admiring the beauty of moves rather than their effectiveness. Becoming a Pokemon Master isn't the biggest priority for you. A Pokemons happiness and wellbeing is more important. It's about the friends you make along the way!

Talk to your DM about why you embarked on your journey. What motivates you?

Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Performance

Item Knowledge: Medicines

Bonus Equipment: Restorative items worth less than ₽1,200

Highborn (The Snob)

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you are used to the finer things in life. The best education, the finest furnishings, the latest fashion, the strongest Pokemon. It's all so boring. You're ready to take off wherever the road takes you. Well prepared, of course.

Talk to your DM about what kind of life you left behind. Why did you leave?

Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion

Item Knowledge: Held Items

Bonus Equipment: A Held Item worth ₽1,200 or less. Your starting equipment includes the max amount of Pokedollars.

Hoodlum (The Edge)

You always seem to find trouble. Every side is the wrong side of the tracks. It's not your fault, you just want Pokemon to reach their full potential! Somedays you seem to think no one understands you. Especially since all of your pals left to join Team Whatever.

Talk to your DM about some of the trouble you've been in. Was it your fault?

Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, Stealth

Item Knowledge: Evolution Items

Bonus Equipment: One Evolution Stone

Poke-Friend (The Wild)

You are closer to the local Pokemon population than your classmates. Your parents could be Pokemon breeders or maybe you grew up caring for wild Pokemon. Your friends think it's time to go see the world and meet new people.

Talk to your DM about having one of your Pokemon friends as your starter. Why do they travel with you?

Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Nature

Item Knowledge: Berries

Bonus Equipment: Berries totalling less than ₽1,200

Rival (The Fire)

You put everything you've got into beating your rival. Perhaps you've been rivals your whole lives. Maybe you happened to show up to choose starters at the same time. They could even be a close friend. No matter, you're gonna win the next badge first.

Talk to your DM about your history with your chosen rival. Are they a friend or foe?

Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Intimidation

Item Knowledge: Rare Pokeballs

Bonus Equipment: Pokeballs totalling less than ₽1,200

Studious (The Brain)

You've spent more time reading up on Pokemon than actually interacting with them. Maybe you went to a prestigious academy, or just studied in the library. Your fascination knows no bounds.

Talk to your DM about where you got your knowledge. Do you have any experience to go with it?

Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, History

Item Knowledge: TMs

Bonus Equipment: One TM from the following list:

1 Calm Mind (TM 04) 2 Roar (TM 05) 3 Bulk Up (TM 08) 4 Sunny Day (TM 11) 5 Taunt (TM 12) 6 Light Screen (TM 16) 7 Rain Dance (TM 18) 8 Roost (TM 19) 9 Safeguard (TM 20) 10 Double Team (TM 32)

11 Torment (TM 41) 12 Rest (TM 44) 13 Attract (TM 45) 14 Embargo (TM 63) 15 Rock Polish (TM 69) 16 Psych Up (TM 77) 17 Swagger (TM 87) 18 Substitute (TM 90) 19 Trick Room (TM 92) 20 Confide (TM 100)