[quote="captpike"]the purpose of this list is not the rate the backgrounds, (there is already a background guild that does that) but to make it easier to find the background you want.

all the backgrounds listed here are unique in some way, there are no redundancies. this means that if a background exists that gives +3 to a skill, then one that gives +2 will only be listed if that background also gives something that the first one does not.

anything that just gives one normal langage, one class skill, or +2 to one skill will not be listed, they are easily found and mostly redundant (you can find better in the list below most of the time)

if a background has "(shifter)" you must be a shifter to take it.

thanks to Kryx and his thread community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758… without it it would have taken me much longer to make this and I would probably have missed some backgrounds.[/quote]

[quote="captpike"]Health
Auspicious Birth/Born Under a Bad Sign: you use your highest stat to determine your hp, rather then con
Impiltur: you use your Wisdom to determine your hp, rather then con
Thay: you use your Intelligence to determine your hp, rather then con

Action point
Chessenta: When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you gain a +1 bonus to all rolls made during the extra action granted.
Tarmalune: When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you gain a +1 bonus to speed until the end of your turn. You also gain a +2 bonus to all Diplomacy checks.

Initiative
Trained from Birth for a Specific Prophecy: Once per day, you can reroll an initiative check if you don’t like the result. You keep the second result whether it’s better, the same, or worse.
Dalelands: You can reroll any Nature check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain a +1 bonus on initiative checks.
Vilhon Wilds: You can reroll any Dungeoneering check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain a +1 bonus on initiative checks.
Officer Who Came Out of Retirement: You gain a +1 bonus to initiative checks, you add History to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to History checks.
Gritty Sergeant: You gain proficiency in a simple or military weapon of your choice, and you gain a +1 bonus to initiative checks.

Languages
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.
Waterdeep: You know one additional language of your choice, you add Diplomacy to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks.
Luruar: You can reroll any History check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain one additional language of your choice.
Dragon Coast: You can reroll any Insight check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain one additional language of your choice.
Merchant Prince: Learn an extra language of your choice, add Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Insight checks.
Gray Vale: You gain one additional language of your choice, you add Nature to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Nature checks.
Traveling Missionary: Learn an extra language of your choice, add Religion to your class skill list, and gain a +2 bonus to Religion checks.
Baldur's Gate: You know one additional language of your choice, you add the Streetwise skill to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Streetwise checks.
Moonshae Isles: You know Elven as an additional language, and you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm and fear effects.
High Imaskar: You can reroll any Arcana check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also know Deep Speech as an additional language.
Moonshae Isles (Shifter): Add Athletics to your class skill list. You gain a +3 bonus to Athletics checks made to swim, and to any skill or ability check related to piloting water vessels or to moving around on a boat. Add Chondathan to your list of known languages.
Sembia (Shifter): Add Bluff and Diplomacy to your class skill list. Add Netherese to your list of known languages. When not shifting, you resemble a human more strongly than is normal for your race. This resemblance allows you to pass as human with a successful Bluff check against a creature’s passive Insight, if you are not shifting. If someone makes an active Insight check against you, your Bluff check to disguise your shifter nature suffers a –5 penalty.
Rashemen (Shifter): You add Damaran to your list of languages known, you add Nature to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Insight checks when dealing with fey.
East Rift: You gain Deep Speech as an additional language, you add Dungeoneering to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Dungeoneering checks.
Durpar (Shifter): You can reroll any Dungeoneering check, but you must use the second result. Add Goblin to your list of known languages.
Baldur's Gate (Shifter): Add History to your class skill list. You gain a +2 bonus to History checks. Add Elven to your list of known languages. When not shifting, you resemble an elf, not a human. Your face lacks hair, and your skin tone is within the elven range. If you are not shifting, this resemblance allows you to pass as elven with a successful Bluff check against a creature’s passive Insight. If someone makes an active Insight check against you, your Bluff check to disguise your shifter nature suffers a –5 penalty.
Luruar (Shifter): You add Chondathan to your list of languages known, you add Intimidate to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Perception while you are shifting.
Aglarond: You add Elven to your list of languages known, you add Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Perception checks.
Tethyr (Shifter): Add Stealth to your class skill list. You gain a +2 bonus to Stealth checks. Add Chondathan or Draconic to your list of known languages.
Luskan (Shifter): You can reroll any Stealth check, but you must keep the second result. Add Shou to your list of known languages.
Parentage – Cult Raised: you may learn Abyssal

Weapon Proficiencies
Gritty Sergeant: You gain proficiency in a simple or military weapon of your choice, and you gain a +1 bonus to initiative checks.
Noble Bred for War: You gain proficiency in a simple or military weapon of your choice, and you gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy checks.

Resistances
Akanûl: you gain 2, 3, or 5 resist cold, fire, and thunder. This does stack with other sources of resistance.
Calimshan: You gain 4, 7 or 10 fire resist and a +5 bonus to Endurance checks made due to thirst.

Saving Throw Bonuses
Haunted Veteran: Once per encounter, reroll a failed saving throw against a fear effect.
Myth Drannor (FRPG): Once per encounter, you can reroll a failed saving throw against a charm effect.
Arcane Student who Saw too Much: +1 bonus to saving throws to end effects that daze, stun, immobilize, or restrain you.
Cormyr (General): You add Insight to your class skill list, you gain a +2 bonus to Insight checks, and you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against fear effects.
Cormyr (Wheloon): add Thievery to your class skill list, gain a +2 bonus to Thievery checks, and gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm effects.
Crusading Zealot: You gain a +1 bonus to saving throws until you fail a saving throw, and then the bonus is gone until you rest.
Moonshae Isles: You know Elven as an additional language, and you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm and fear effects.
Scorned Noble: You gain a +2 bonus to saving throws whenever no allies are within 5 squares of you.

Misc
Sarifal: gain terrain walk in Earth, Forest, Ice, or Swamp.
restless dead: +1 bonus to damage rolls against creatures with the undead keyword.
Warsmith: You can construct your own weapons and armor, The item costs the same as it would if you’d purchased it directly. you can cast Creation rituals as if you had the Ritual Caster feat.
Imbuer: You can construct your own implements and wondrous items, The item costs the same as it would if you’d purchased it directly. you can cast Creation rituals as if you had the Ritual Caster feat.
Former Gladiator: it takes Four death saves before for you to die [/quote]

[quote="captpike"]Skills
Dambrath (Shifter): While you are riding a creature, you can reroll any Acrobatics, Athletics, Endurance, or Stealth check using the creature’s skill check bonus rather than your own. You must use the second result.
Adventurer's Scion: you may roll Monster knowledge checks twice but must take second result.
Monster Hunter: +2 to Monster knowledge checks
Rashemen (Shifter): You add Damaran to your list of languages known, you add Nature to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Insight checks when dealing with fey.

Acrobatics
Nelanther Isles: You add Acrobatics and Athletics to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Acrobatics checks and Athletics checks.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Arcana
High Imaskar: You can reroll any Arcana check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also know Deep Speech as an additional language.
Noble Scion: You add a knowledge skill of your choice to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to checks with that skill.
Great Dale: You add Arcana and Nature to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana checks and Nature checks.
Apprentice of Sinister Cabal: You add Arcana and Dungeoneering to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and Dungeoneering checks.
Assassin: You add Arcana and Stealth to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and Stealth checks.
Cult Escapee: You add Arcana and Bluff to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and Bluff checks.
Magic Scholar: You add Arcana and History to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and History checks.
Adventurer's Scion: you may roll Monster knowledge checks twice but must take second result.
Monster Hunter: +2 to Monster knowledge checks
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Athletics
Tymanther: You add Athletics to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Athletics checks.
Elfharrow: You add Athletics and Nature to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Athletics checks and Nature checks.
Nelanther Isles: You add Acrobatics and Athletics to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Acrobatics checks and Athletics checks.
Cat Burglar: You add Athletics and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Athletics and Thievery checks.
River Smuggler: You add Athletics and Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Athletics and Streetwise checks.
Moonshae Isles (Shifter): Add Athletics to your class skill list. You gain a +3 bonus to Athletics checks made to swim, and to any skill or ability check related to piloting water vessels or to moving around on a boat. Add Chondathan to your list of known languages.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Bluff
Cult Escapee: You add Arcana and Bluff to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and Bluff checks.
Con Artist: You add Bluff and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Thievery checks.
Fugitive from a Vengeful Rival: You add Bluff and Stealth to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Stealth checks.
On the Run from the Devil: You add Bluff and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Perception checks.
Seducer: You add Bluff and Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Insight checks.
Sembia (Shifter): Add Bluff and Diplomacy to your class skill list. Add Netherese to your list of known languages. When not shifting, you resemble a human more strongly than is normal for your race. This resemblance allows you to pass as human with a successful Bluff check against a creature’s passive Insight, if you are not shifting. If someone makes an active Insight check against you, your Bluff check to disguise your shifter nature suffers a –5 penalty.
Rashemen (Shifter): You add Damaran to your list of languages known, you add Nature to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Insight checks when dealing with fey.
Baldur's Gate (Shifter): Add History to your class skill list. You gain a +2 bonus to History checks. Add Elven to your list of known languages. When not shifting, you resemble an elf, not a human. Your face lacks hair, and your skin tone is within the elven range. If you are not shifting, this resemblance allows you to pass as elven with a successful Bluff check against a creature’s passive Insight. If someone makes an active Insight check against you, your Bluff check to disguise your shifter nature suffers a –5 penalty.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Diplomacy
Tarmalune: When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you gain a +1 bonus to speed until the end of your turn. You also gain a +2 bonus to all Diplomacy checks.
Waterdeep: You know one additional language of your choice, you add Diplomacy to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks.
Political Rebel: You add Diplomacy and Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy and Streetwise checks.
Redemption Seeker: You add Diplomacy and Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy and Insight checks.
Sembia (Shifter): Add Bluff and Diplomacy to your class skill list. Add Netherese to your list of known languages. When not shifting, you resemble a human more strongly than is normal for your race. This resemblance allows you to pass as human with a successful Bluff check against a creature’s passive Insight, if you are not shifting. If someone makes an active Insight check against you, your Bluff check to disguise your shifter nature suffers a –5 penalty.
Rashemen (Shifter): You add Damaran to your list of languages known, you add Nature to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Insight checks when dealing with fey.
Noble Bred for War: You gain proficiency in a simple or military weapon of your choice, and you gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy checks.

Dungeoneering
Vilhon Wilds: You can reroll any Dungeoneering check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain a +1 bonus on initiative checks.
Durpar (Shifter): You can reroll any Dungeoneering check, but you must use the second result. Add Goblin to your list of known languages.
East Rift: You gain Deep Speech as an additional language, you add Dungeoneering to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Dungeoneering checks.
Apprentice of Sinister Cabal: You add Arcana and Dungeoneering to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and Dungeoneering checks.
Seeker for the Lost Clan: You add History and Dungeoneering to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to History and Dungeoneering checks.
Adventurer's Scion: you may roll Monster knowledge checks twice but must take second result.
Monster Hunter: +2 to Monster knowledge checks
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Endurance
Narfell: You add Endurance to your class skill list, and you gain a +3 bonus to Endurance checks.
Last of the Breed: You add Endurance and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Endurance and Perception checks.
Calimshan: You gain 4, 7 or 10 fire resist and a +5 bonus to Endurance checks made due to thirst.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice. [/quote]

[quote="captpike"]History
Luruar: You can reroll any History check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain one additional language of your choice.
Scion of an Ancient Bloodline: You add History to your class skill list, and you gain a +3 bonus to History checks.
Magic Scholar: You add Arcana and History to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and History checks.
Seeker for the Lost Clan: You add History and Dungeoneering to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to History and Dungeoneering checks.
Vet Who Can’t Let Go: You add History and Intimidate to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to History and Intimidate checks.
Officer Who Came Out of Retirement: You gain a +1 bonus to initiative checks, you add History to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to History checks.
Baldur's Gate (Shifter): Add History to your class skill list. You gain a +2 bonus to History checks. Add Elven to your list of known languages. When not shifting, you resemble an elf, not a human. Your face lacks hair, and your skin tone is within the elven range. If you are not shifting, this resemblance allows you to pass as elven with a successful Bluff check against a creature’s passive Insight. If someone makes an active Insight check against you, your Bluff check to disguise your shifter nature suffers a –5 penalty.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Insight
Dragon Coast: You can reroll any Insight check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain one additional language of your choice.
Cormyr (General): You add Insight to your class skill list, you gain a +2 bonus to Insight checks, and you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against fear effects.
Merchant Prince: Learn an extra language of your choice, add Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Insight checks.
Seducer: You add Bluff and Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Insight checks.
Redemption Seeker: You add Diplomacy and Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy and Insight checks.
Detective: You add Perception and Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Perception and Insight checks.
Rashemen (Shifter): You add Damaran to your list of languages known, you add Nature to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Insight checks when dealing with fey.

Intimidate
Wandering Duelist: You add Intimidate to your class skill list and give yourself a +3 bonus to Intimidate checks
Vet Who Can’t Let Go: You add History and Intimidate to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to History and Intimidate checks.
Street Urchin: You add Intimidate and Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Intimidate and Streetwise checks.
Young Cutthroat: You add Intimidate and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Intimidate and Thievery checks.
Luruar (Shifter): You add Chondathan to your list of languages known, you add Intimidate to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Perception while you are shifting.
The Dalelands (Shifter): Add Stealth and Nature to your class skill list. While shifting, you gain a +2 bonus to Intimidate checks.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Nature
Dalelands: You can reroll any Nature check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse. You also gain a +1 bonus on initiative checks.
The Great Dale (Shifter): You can reroll any Nature check, but you must use the second result. Add Elven to your list of known languages.
Gray Vale: You gain one additional language of your choice, you add Nature to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Nature checks.
Great Dale: You add Arcana and Nature to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana checks and Nature checks.
Elfharrow: You add Athletics and Nature to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Athletics checks and Nature checks.
Forest Warden: You add Nature and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Nature and Perception checks.
The Dalelands (Shifter): Add Stealth and Nature to your class skill list. While shifting, you gain a +2 bonus to Intimidate checks.
Rashemen (Shifter): You add Damaran to your list of languages known, you add Nature to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Insight checks when dealing with fey.
Adventurer's Scion: you may roll Monster knowledge checks twice but must take second result.
Monster Hunter: +2 to Monster knowledge checks

Perception
On the Run from the Devil: You add Bluff and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Perception checks.
Last of the Breed: You add Endurance and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Endurance and Perception checks.
Detective: You add Perception and Insight to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Perception and Insight checks.
Forest Warden: You add Nature and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Nature and Perception checks.
Silent Hunter: You add Stealth and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Stealth and Perception checks.
Luruar (Shifter): You add Chondathan to your list of languages known, you add Intimidate to your class skills list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Perception while you are shifting.
Aglarond: You add Elven to your list of languages known, you add Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Perception checks.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Religion
Cloistered Priest: You add Religion to your class skill list, and you gain a +3 bonus to Religion checks.
Traveling Missionary: Learn an extra language of your choice, add Religion to your class skill list, and gain a +2 bonus to Religion checks.
Adventurer's Scion: you may roll Monster knowledge checks twice but must take second result.
Monster Hunter: +2 to Monster knowledge checks

Stealth
Luskan (Shifter): You can reroll any Stealth check, but you must keep the second result. Add Shou to your list of known languages.
Tethyr (Shifter): Add Stealth to your class skill list. You gain a +2 bonus to Stealth checks. Add Chondathan or Draconic to your list of known languages.
Assassin: You add Arcana and Stealth to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Arcana and Stealth checks.
Luskan: You add Stealth and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Stealth checks and Thievery checks.
Silent Hunter: You add Stealth and Perception to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Stealth and Perception checks.
Fugitive from a Vengeful Rival: You add Bluff and Stealth to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Stealth checks.
The Dalelands (Shifter): Add Stealth and Nature to your class skill list. While shifting, you gain a +2 bonus to Intimidate checks.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.

Streetwise
Prison Conversion: You add Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +3 bonus to Streetwise checks.
Baldur's Gate: You know one additional language of your choice, you add the Streetwise skill to your class skill list, and you gain a +2 bonus to Streetwise checks.
River Smuggler: You add Athletics and Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Athletics and Streetwise checks.
Political Rebel: You add Diplomacy and Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Diplomacy and Streetwise checks.
Street Urchin: You add Intimidate and Streetwise to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Intimidate and Streetwise checks.
Amn: You add Streetwise and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Streetwise checks and Thievery checks.

Thievery
Cormyr (Wheloon): add Thievery to your class skill list, gain a +2 bonus to Thievery checks, and gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm effects.
Cat Burglar: You add Athletics and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Athletics and Thievery checks.
Con Artist: You add Bluff and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Bluff and Thievery checks.
Young Cutthroat: You add Intimidate and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Intimidate and Thievery checks.
Luskan: You add Stealth and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Stealth checks and Thievery checks.
Amn: You add Streetwise and Thievery to your class skill list, and you gain a +1 bonus to Streetwise checks and Thievery checks.
Windrise Ports: You add one additional skill to your list of class skills when you select this background. You also gain one additional language of your choice.
[/quote]