I am getting back into D&D after about 15 years. Reading through the Players Handbook it refers to Noble as a class but it is found in the Background section.

Super novice question and I apologize, but I am trying to clear up my misunderstanding.

Is Noble a class, or a background? Of both? Meaning could I have (dumb example) Tiefling Druid with Noble background? Or would it just be a Tiefling Noble?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Out of curiosity, where do you see it referred to as a class? \$\endgroup\$ – NautArch Jul 15 '19 at 16:39
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    \$\begingroup\$ Welcome to the site! I see you already took the tour so you can check the help center if you need further guidance. Good luck and happy gaming! \$\endgroup\$ – Sdjz Jul 15 '19 at 17:08

The word "class" is being used in two different senses here.

Noble, as a social class stratum in a Feudal/Medieval setting, is a different use of the term than "Class" for a PC such as Druid, Fighter, Ranger, Wizard, etc, that has a progression from level 1 - 20 with game mechanical benefits.

Answer: Noble is a background for D&D 5e, not a PC class.

Any PC can come from a Noble social class if the Noble Background (Chapter 4) is chosen.

Genre Conventions

When you are dealing with a fantastical setting that has kings, queens, princes, lords, and such broadly rooted in the typical feudal / medieval / Renaissance cultural setting from Western Civ, class differences are embedded in the default setting. As you can see in the text for the Noble background:

You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. (Basic Rules, p. 42)

Aristocrats and nobles come from a particular social class in the default setting. Commoners come from a different layer of the societal strata. See also this feature:

Feature: Position of Privilege


Aside: Commoners have an NPC default description, as do Nobles. That is in the Monster Manual (or the Monster / NPC appendix, Basic Rules) and is separate from the character creation of a PC.


Noble is a background, not a class

It is a background and you can find the mechanics of choosing to be a Noble under Backgrounds in Chapter 4 of the PHB (Personality and Background.)

It is also not listed as option in Chapter 3: Classes.

Your example

In your example, you would be a Tiefling Druid with the Noble background. You pick your race, your class, and your background.


Your Answer

