D&D 5E Third Level Thief Ability

[trentonjoe]

The Thief Archetype has the following third level abilities:

Fa s t H a n d s
Starting at 3rd level, you can use the bonus action
granted by your Cunning Action to make a Dexterity
(Sleight of Hand) check, use your thieves’ tools to
disarm a trap or open a lock, or take the Use an
Object action.

S e c o n d - S t o r y W o r k
W hen you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain
the ability to climb faster than normal; clim bing no
longer costs you extra movement.
In addition, when you make a running jump, the
distance you cover increases by a num ber of feet equal
to your Dexterity modifier.


Would removing them and allowing a NONCOMBAT feat be "balanced"? To me, these seems pretty much the equivalent to a feat with three situational bonuses (two involving movement and one allowing an additional option for your bonus action).

 

[trentonjoe]

A t h l e t e
You have undergone extensive physical training to gain
the follow ing benefits:
• Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• W hen you are prone, standing up uses only 5' of movement.
* Climbing doesn’t halve your speed.
• You can make a running long jum p or a running high
jum p after moving only 5 feet on foot, rather than
10 feet.


hmmm, it appears Athlete is better...

 

[TwoSix]

hmmm, it appears Athlete is better...

Well, that's probably because outside of Healer feat shenanigans, the 3rd level Thief ability is pretty crappy. I certainly don't think replacing it with the Athlete feat would come close to breaking anything.

 

[trentonjoe]

What objects can you use? Eventually, you can use a wand right?

You could pour out oil right? Throw acid? Caltrops? stuff like that?

U s e a n O b j e c t
You norm ally interact with an object while doing
som ething else, such as w hen you draw a sw ord as part
of an attack. W hen an object requires your action for
its use, you take the Use an Object action. This action
is also useful w hen you want to interact with m ore than
one object on your turn.

 

[Dausuul]

I don't see a problem with that, but I would suggest making a list of the specific feats allowed. First, it will ensure that there's no confusion about what is and isn't a "combat feat," and second, considering each possible feat will help you identify feats that might cause problems.

hmmm, it appears Athlete is better...

I disagree. I'd say they're about the same. Don't underestimate the value of Fast Hands.

 

[TwoSix]

What objects can you use? Eventually, you can use a wand right?

You could pour out oil right? Throw acid? Caltrops? stuff like that?

U s e a n O b j e c t
You norm ally interact with an object while doing
som ething else, such as w hen you draw a sw ord as part
of an attack. W hen an object requires your action for
its use, you take the Use an Object action. This action
is also useful w hen you want to interact with m ore than
one object on your turn.

Can't use magic items with Fast Hands, sadly. I believe it's called out specifically in the DMG.

 

[aco175]

If you wanted to beef it up a bit, allow the use object part to administer a healing potion. I know it is using a magic item and the rules, and a few discussions, say no but for this specific application with just potions if may be ok.

I just thought about all potions rather than just healing potions and it may start becoming a bit much.

 

[mellored]

You could pour out oil right? Throw acid? Caltrops? stuff like that?

This.

Get a bunch of caltrops, ball bearings, and hunter traps. Enjoy.

 

[Shiroiken]

You could pour out oil right? Throw acid? Caltrops? stuff like that?

Had a player do this during a season of Encounters; it was really effective. Of course, I was the DM and encouraged this kind of stuff, so YDMMV.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Would removing them and allowing a NONCOMBAT feat be "balanced"? To me, these seems pretty much the equivalent to a feat with three situational bonuses (two involving movement and one allowing an additional option for your bonus action).

No. Feats are inherently unbalanced. Anything that allows a character to take more feats will only worsen that imbalance.