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One of the only signs that allow you to figure out if a possible companion in Battle Brothers is good is their background. Yes, you can spend some money to see their traits as well, but the background will decide if that person will be one of your brothers or not. Since the background decides most of the basic stats of a brother, there is a clear distinction between which are the best and the worst in Battle Brothers. So, here is a tier list we have compiled that will tell you which are the best backgrounds in Battle Brothers, and who you should recruit.
Related: Battle Brothers: Best Seeds (Seed Generator)
Best Backgrounds in Battle Brothers (Tier List)
When deciding what the best backgrounds are in Battle Brothers, you have to think about which companions you would instantly recruit if you see them in a town.
S ranks are the brothers you will want to get into your party instantly, A ranks are companions that you should try to get, and B is the best cheap choice.
Most backgrounds in Battle Brothers are good (besides two of them), so it doesn’t really matter that much which you choose. Sometimes it’s just fun to pick up any companions with decent traits and see how it goes.
Related: Battle Brothers: Best Traits Tier List
Either way, you can still get a bad brother if the growth attributes are bad. So, here is a tier list that shows what the best backgrounds are in Battle Brothers:
| Brother Background | Rank | Average Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Adventurous Noble | S | HP = 55 Fatigue = 97.5 Resolve = 52.5 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 62 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 9 Ranged Def = -5 |
| Hedge Knight | S | HP = 67.5 Fatigue = 107.5 Resolve = 41.5 Initiative = 94.5 Melee Skill = 62.5 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 8 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Thief | S | HP = 55 Fatigue = 95 Resolve = 37.5 Initiative = 116 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 9 Ranged Def = 9 |
| Hunter | S | HP = 55 Fatigue = 101 Resolve = 37.5 Initiative = 107.5 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 55.5 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 4 |
| Wildman | S | HP = 66 Fatigue = 115.5 Resolve = 46 Initiative = 100 Melee Skill = 55 Ranged Skill = 34.5 Melee Def = 0 Ranged Def = -2.5 |
| Gladiator | A | HP = 55 Fatigue = 95 Resolve = 40 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 63,5 Ranged Skill = 44 Melee Def = 9 Ranged Def = 9 |
| Swordmaster | A | HP = 43 Fatigue = 82.5 Resolve = 46 Initiative = 95 Melee Skill = 74.5 Ranged Skill = 32 Melee Def = 15 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Beast Slayer | A | HP = 55 Fatigue = 101 Resolve = 41 Initiative = 111 Melee Skill = 57 Ranged Skill = 46 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Squire | A | HP = 55 Fatigue = 101 Resolve = 47 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 58 Ranged Skill = 44.5 Melee Def = 4.5 Ranged Def = 4.5 |
| Sellsword | A | HP = 55 Fatigue = 95 Resolve = 40 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 63.5 Ranged Skill = 48 Melee Def = 9 Ranged Def = 9 |
| Oathtaker | A | HP = 63 Fatigue = 93 Resolve = 49,5 Initiative = 117,5 Melee Skill = 63,5 Ranged Skill = 34,5 Melee Def = 7 Ranged Def = -5 |
| Monk | A | HP = 55 Fatigue = 90 Resolve = 46 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 47 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Bowyer | B | HP = 55 Fatigue = 92.5 Resolve = 32.5 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 47 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Farmhand | B | HP = 66 Fatigue = 110 Resolve = 32.5 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Brawler | B | HP = 62.5 Fatigue = 102.5 Resolve = 41 Initiative = 107.5 Melee Skill = 54.5 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Poacher | B | HP = 55 Fatigue = 96.5 Resolve = 35 Initiative = 107 Melee Skill = 53 Ranged Skill = 48 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Peddler | B | HP = 55 Fatigue = 95 Resolve = 35 Initiative = 107.5 Melee Skill = 42.5 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 7 Ranged Def = 7 |
| Butcher | B | HP = 57 Fatigue = 97 Resolve = 41 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 54.5 Ranged Skill = 35.5 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Apprentice | B | HP = 55 Fatigue = 95 Resolve = 35 Initiative = 105 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| All the other backgrounds in Battle Brothers | C | ~ |
| Indebted | F | HP = 45 Fatigue = 95 Resolve = 32,5 Initiative = 100 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 2.5 |
| Servant | F | HP = 50 Fatigue = 90 Resolve = 30 Initiative = 107,5 Melee Skill = 52 Ranged Skill = 37 Melee Def = 2.5 Ranged Def = 3,5 |
Best Backgrounds for Tanks in Battle Brothers
A tank in Battle Brothers has the best combination between HP, Fatigue, Resolve, and Melee Def. Here are your best background choices in Battle Brothers for tanks:
- Hedge Knight
- Wildman
- Adventurous Noble
- Oathtaker
- Squire
- Farmhand
If you didn’t agree with our Battle Brothers tier list, or you think we can improve it in some ways, make sure to leave a comment below.
And that is all you need to know about the best backgrounds in Battle Brothers. Check out other interesting guides and articles:
- Wartales: What Does a Captain Do? Answered
- Enderal: Forgotten Stories – The Word of the Dead (Full Quest Walkthrough)
- Mount and Blade: Warband – What to do with Prisoners
