D&D 5e Scholar’s Pack: What’s Inside and How to Use It
When starting out in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), players face countless choices when building their character: race, class, background, and even the kind of equipment they’ll carry on their adventures. One of the equipment packs that often gets overlooked in favor of flashier options like the Dungeoneer’s Pack or the Burglar’s Pack is the humble Scholar’s Pack.
But for those adventurers who prefer brains over brawn, or just want to play a character who’s always prepared with the right book or writing utensil, the Scholar’s Pack is a surprisingly useful and thematic choice.
In this guide, we’ll break down what the Scholar’s Pack includes, how to make the most of it in your campaign, and why this often-overlooked pack could be the perfect fit for certain character builds.
Whether you’re roleplaying a curious wizard or a studious cleric, the Scholar’s Pack can help your character stand out in ways that go beyond combat.
What’s in the Scholar’s Pack?
So, what exactly does the Scholar’s Pack contain, and how does it compare to other starting equipment options? Let’s take a look at the official list from the Player’s Handbook:
- A backpack
- A book of lore
- A bottle of ink
- An ink pen
- 10 sheets of parchment
- A little bag of sand
- A small knife
At first glance, these items might seem a little underwhelming compared to the torches, ropes, and crowbars found in more adventure-oriented packs.
However, the Scholar’s Pack provides a lot of tools for characters who value knowledge, research, and writing—whether you’re preparing for a magical experiment, documenting your adventures, or navigating social encounters that require more brain than brawn.
Breaking Down the Items
Let’s dive a little deeper into each item in the Scholar’s Pack and how it can be useful both in and out of combat:
1. Backpack
The trusty backpack is a standard item across many equipment packs in D&D 5e. It’s your basic carry-all, allowing you to store other items, including the components of your Scholar’s Pack. In-game, the backpack holds up to 30 pounds of gear, which is a lifesaver when your character starts collecting loot, books, or extra supplies.
2. Book of Lore
This is one of the standout items in the Scholar’s Pack. A book of lore is a valuable resource for any character who wants to roleplay as an intellectual or researcher. What this book contains is largely up to the player and the DM. It could be a book of historical knowledge, religious teachings, magical theory, or even obscure myths and legends. This book can serve as a source of knowledge for your character to reference during downtime or even in crucial moments of your adventure.
Some DMs may let your character gain advantage on knowledge checks related to the subject matter of the book of lore, or at least give you some extra flavor in roleplaying situations. For example, if your book is on ancient history, you might pull it out to impress an NPC or use it to identify old ruins during an exploration.
3. Bottle of Ink and Ink Pen
At first glance, a bottle of ink and an ink pen might not seem like particularly exciting items, but they are essential for any character who needs to write things down—whether it’s copying spells into a spellbook, taking notes on a puzzle, or forging documents (if your scholar isn’t exactly playing by the rules).
For classes like wizards, scholars, or any character with a background that involves study or writing, having ink and a pen is essential for day-to-day use. And, of course, writing down your findings is crucial for roleplaying that studious, methodical character who always takes time to document important events.
4. 10 Sheets of Parchment
Your 10 sheets of parchment are the paper on which you’ll write. These might be used for keeping a travel journal, drafting up maps, writing letters, or creating scrolls. While parchment isn’t particularly expensive or hard to come by in-game, starting with some on hand can be useful, especially in roleplay-heavy campaigns where writing is part of the fun.
One creative use of parchment involves distracting or deceiving enemies—perhaps your character writes fake instructions or forges important documents that mislead a rival group. This isn’t your go-to tool in combat, but in certain scenarios, a well-written note can turn the tide in your favor.
5. A Little Bag of Sand
This one might seem like the strangest item in the pack, but it actually serves a practical purpose. In the real world, sand was used as a blotter to help ink dry faster. After writing a letter or filling out an important document, you’d sprinkle the sand over the wet ink to prevent smudging.
In D&D 5e, your little bag of sand can be used for this exact purpose, helping your character quickly complete their writings before they need to move on. That being said, DMs and creative players can find plenty of out-of-the-box uses for this small, seemingly insignificant item. You could use it as a minor distraction, throw it in an enemy’s face to cause temporary blindness, or even use it to mark a trail through an unfamiliar area.
6. Small Knife
The small knife in the Scholar’s Pack isn’t exactly a combat weapon, but it’s still handy. This tool is perfect for cutting parchment, opening letters, or whittling down materials for writing. While you won’t be wielding this in a fight, it’s a utility item that can serve a variety of purposes in your everyday adventuring life. And hey, if you find yourself in a dire situation, it’s better than nothing!
Who Should Use the Scholar’s Pack?
The Scholar’s Pack isn’t for every character, but for the right build, it can be a fantastic thematic choice that complements your roleplaying and in-game mechanics. Here are some character types who could really benefit from starting with a Scholar’s Pack:
1. Wizards
Wizards are an obvious choice for the Scholar’s Pack. These arcane scholars spend years studying the mystic arts, poring over ancient tomes, and writing out spells in their spellbooks. The items in the Scholar’s Pack make sense for wizards who need to take notes on magical experiments, draft complex spell diagrams, or jot down important research findings. Plus, the ink and parchment are essential for copying new spells into their spellbook.
2. Clerics and Monks
Clerics and monks who follow scholarly or religious backgrounds might find the Scholar’s Pack useful as well. If your cleric is a devout researcher of divine lore, the book of lore could be a holy text or a book of sacred teachings. Meanwhile, a monk might use their book of lore to record meditations, philosophical teachings, or even document martial arts techniques.
3. Bards
While bards are often seen as performers and entertainers, there are plenty of bards who value knowledge just as much as music. For a bard focused on storytelling or recording history, the Scholar’s Pack fits perfectly. They might use their book of lore to gather legends and tales from across the world, and their ink and parchment to write ballads or document their travels. The pack also helps bards who are more focused on intrigue or diplomacy, providing the tools for writing letters, treaties, or even forgeries when needed.
4. Characters with the Sage Background
Characters with the Sage background are natural fits for the Scholar’s Pack. Sages are researchers, librarians, and archivists who spend their lives in pursuit of knowledge. Starting with a pack that has everything they need to take notes, study, and reflect fits perfectly into the roleplaying aspect of this background.
5. Rogues and Criminal Masterminds
You might not expect it, but even a rogue or criminal mastermind can make good use of the Scholar’s Pack.
If your rogue leans more toward the intellectual side, focusing on deception, forgery, or espionage, the ink and parchment can be used to create fake documents, while the book of lore might contain valuable information on targets or heists.
This is especially true if your rogue has a background in the underworld or politics, where knowledge can be just as deadly as a well-placed dagger.
Making the Scholar’s Pack Fun in Your Campaign
Now that you know what’s inside the Scholar’s Pack and who might use it, let’s talk about how to make it an interesting and dynamic part of your campaign. After all, D&D is about creativity, and even the simplest items can lead to unexpected moments. Here are a few ways to bring the Scholar’s Pack to life in your game:
1. Using the Book of Lore for Advantage
Work with your DM to establish what kind of lore your book covers. Is it a history book? A religious text? A volume on magical creatures? Knowing what’s in your book of lore can help you roleplay your character and even potentially give you advantage on certain knowledge checks. If your book contains information on ancient ruins, for example, you could reference it when exploring a lost city or deciphering old symbols.
2. Forging Documents
If your character operates in a world of intrigue, diplomacy, or espionage, having access to ink, parchment, and a pen can give you the tools to create fake documents or forge letters. This can open up creative problem-solving opportunities—maybe your party needs a letter of passage, or you’re framing a rival by writing fake instructions in their name.
3. Solving Mysteries
For investigative campaigns or side quests, your Scholar’s Pack can serve as a resource hub. Use your parchment to document clues, sketch maps, or take notes on important leads. Your book of lore might even contain information that helps solve a puzzle or unravel a mystery, particularly if your character has a background that involves researching old legends or historical events.
4. Roleplay a Researcher
One of the best ways to make the Scholar’s Pack fun is to really lean into the roleplaying aspect of it. Your character might be constantly taking notes, drawing sketches of new places or creatures, or writing letters to fellow scholars. Maybe they’re always referencing their book of lore, looking for answers to the problems the party faces. This can make your character feel more alive and add depth to their personality.
Conclusion: The Scholar’s Pack is for the Thinkers
The Scholar’s Pack may not be as flashy as the other starting packs, but for certain characters, it offers a thematic and practical toolkit that goes beyond the battlefield. Whether you’re playing a wizard, a cleric, or a bard, the items in the Scholar’s Pack can add depth to your character and create interesting roleplaying opportunities.
Plus, with a little creativity, even a bottle of ink or a sheet of parchment can become an invaluable resource in a tricky situation.
So, next time you’re creating a new character or considering what gear to take, don’t overlook the humble Scholar’s Pack. After all, knowledge is power!
FAQs About the Scholar’s Pack in D&D 5e
1. What’s in a Scholar’s Pack in D&D 5e?
A Scholar’s Pack contains a backpack, a book of lore, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, 10 sheets of parchment, a little bag of sand, and a small knife.
2. What’s the use of a book of lore?
The book of lore is a resource for characters to reference, particularly for knowledge checks related to history, religion, or magic. It can also be a thematic item for roleplaying scholarly or studious characters.
3. Who should use a Scholar’s Pack?
Wizards, clerics, monks, bards, and characters with the sage background are natural fits for the Scholar’s Pack, as these characters often engage in research, study, or documentation.
4. How can ink and parchment be useful in D&D?
Ink and parchment are essential for writing letters, copying spells, or even forging documents. Creative players can use these items for diplomacy, espionage, or solving puzzles.
5. Can the Scholar’s Pack be useful in combat?
While the Scholar’s Pack is not combat-focused, some items, like the small knife or bag of sand, can be used creatively in combat or during encounters to distract enemies or create opportunities.