DnD 5e Backgrounds

Scribe 5e Background Guide

Published on December 31, 2024

Explore which D&D classes work best with the Scribe background and how it can help your bookish character write their own adventure!

A Scribe Wizard reading a book from an ancient library

Sara Winters - Wizards of the Coast - Tolarian Scholar

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What Is the Scribe Background in D&D?

The Scribe is a DnD 5e background representing a character who has spent years mastering the craft of writing and preserving knowledge. Whether you worked in a monastery, government agency, or as a library, this background provides bookish characters the ability to thrive on their careful attention to detail.

How Does the Scribe Background Work?

The Scribe background offers the following features:

  • Ability Scores: Receive a +2 bonus to one ability and +1 to another, or a +1 bonus to all three: Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.
  • Feat: The Skilled feat grants proficiency in three additional skills of your choice.
  • Skill Proficiencies: Investigation and Perception.
  • Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher’s Supplies.
  • Equipment:
    • Option A: Calligrapher’s Supplies, fine clothes, lamp, oil (3 flasks), parchment (12 sheets), and 23 GP.
    • Option B: 50 GP for a more customizable loadout.

Let’s break down the benefits:

Ability Scores: This background provides good ability scores for Intelligence and Wisdom-based casters, as well as niche martial builds. Casters can boost their spellcasting ability score by +2 and Dexterity by +1 to help with AC, while Rangers and Monks are able to boost Dexterity by +2 and Wisdom by +1.

Skilled Feat: The Skilled feat offers a decent bonus to skill-focused characters. The only downside with this feat is a bit redundant for these characters, who usually already have a ton of skill proficiencies and the ability to choose whichever proficiencies they’re most focused on. One thing to note is that the 2024 Player’s Handbook  has given tools more mechanical effects, so they’re a decent option if you’ve exhausted useful skill proficiencies. For instance, picking up a proficiency in Thieves’ Tools will give you Advantage on picking locks thanks to the Sleight of Hand proficiency you pick up from the Charlatan background.

Investigation and Perception Proficiencies: Investigation and Perception are both useful skills to have, especially Perception which is one of the most commonly used skills in the game.

Calligrapher’s Supplies: In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, every tool has been giving a mechanical use and items that you can craft using the tool. The Calligrapher’s Supplies are the only tool that can craft Spell Scrolls, which makes them a very sought after proficiency, especially because the only other way to craft them is by having a proficiency in Arcana.

What Type of Character is the Scribe Background For?

The Scribe background is perfect for Cleric, Druids, Monks and Rangers but can also provide useful boosts to Rogues and Wizards. Dexterity boosts your AC and, for Dexterity-focused martial characters, Finesse and Ranged weapon attack rolls, while Wisdom or Intelligence enhances your caster’s spell attack bonus and spell save DC.

The Skilled feat provides you with additional proficiencies, making the Scribe background ideal for classes that thrive on versatility, like Rogues and Rangers, though for other builds, gaining extra skill proficiencies couldn’t hurt. Proficiencies in Investigation and Perception are crucial for uncovering secrets and spotting hidden dangers, making Scribe a great choice for characters that rely on their keen senses as much as they do their fighting prowess.

Which 5e Classes Make the Most of the Scribe Background?

The color code below has been implemented to help you identify, at a glance, how good the Scribe 5e background is for a specific class/subclass.

  • Red : Isn’t going to contribute to the effectiveness of your character build at all
  • Orange : Situationally good, but a below-average option otherwise
  • Green : A good option
  • Blue : A great option, you should strongly consider this option for your character
  • Sky Blue: An amazing option. If you do not take this option your character would not be optimized

Artificer: The Intelligence boost helps with your Artificer’s spellcasting, and additional skills from the Skilled feat enhance their utility in party dynamics.

Barbarian: Without a Strength boost, there isn't much here for a Barbarian.

Bard: Without a Charisma boost, there isn't much here for a Bard.

Cleric: You can boost +2 Wisdom, +1 Dexterity, gain a proficiency in Perception, all of which are helpful, and the Skilled feat for additional skill proficiencies don't hurt.

Druid: You can boost +2 Wisdom, +1 Dexterity, gain a proficiency in Perception, all of which are helpful, and the Skilled feat for additional skill proficiencies don't hurt.

Fighter: Without a Strength or Constitution boost, there isn't much here for a Fighter, unless they're a Dexterity-focused Eldritch Knight.

Monk: You can boost Dexterity and Wisdom, gain a proficiency in Perception, and the extra proficiencies from the Skilled feat can help with your Monk's utility.

Paladin: Without a Strength, Constitution, or Charisma boost, there isn't much here for a Paladin.

Ranger: Rangers benefit from bonuses to Dexterity and Wisdom, along with the Skilled feat for extra proficiencies. Perception is particularly helpful for a Ranger’s scouting role.

Rogue: Rogues appreciate the extra Dexterity, though the Intelligence or Wisdom boosts won't be overly useful unless you end up as an Arcane Trickster. The Skilled feat provides more avenues for Expertise and Investigation and Perception further bolster their utility outside of combat.

Sorcerer: Without a Charisma boost, there isn't much here for a Sorcerer.

Warlock: Without a Charisma boost, there isn't much here for a Warlock.

Wizard: Wizards love the Intelligence boost and the Skilled feat, which helps them gain more utility in exploration and roleplay scenarios. The Investigation proficiency complements their scholarly theme, making this a top choice.

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Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.