D&D 3E/3.5 5E Feats Compared to 3E Feats

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

(Ignoring the differences in the underlying math in both systems...)

Is it fair to say that one 5E Feat is worth about the same as three PF/3X Feats?

 

[Paraxis]

In my mind more like two. But don't forget a lot of basic 3e feats are just built into the system, like you don't need weapon finesse in 5e.

 

[The Myopic Sniper]

One 5E feat looks like about three 3E feats if they are features that add to the exploration end of the game and about two 3E feats for combat related activities. The +1 and some bonuses feats basically remove one 3E feat out the equation, but these are just general trends. 3E feats were in no way balanced against each other. 5E feats are a bit closer, but the opportunity costs are different.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

Two decent to good 3e feats make one good 5e feat. (Greatweapon Master = power attack + cleave, for example.)

 

[Stalker0]

I would echo the two 3e feats ~= 1 5e feat.

 

[Celtavian]

I think they are so different as to be incomparable. Not to mention when and how you get them is so different as to make comparison difficult at best. An individual feat does give more bang for the buck than 3E, but offers zero ability to upgrade. Once you have it, it is the same from level 1 to 20. It's a very different feat system.

No metamagic. Those were some strong feats they removed. Nothing for casters is comparable to the power of metamagic feats.

 

[Stormonu]

I think it's more appropriate to say that one 5E feat equals one 3E feat chain.

 

[TrippyHippy]

I find 5E feats are mainly useful as a balancing tool - especially for 1st level humans when using the optional rule of two +1 Abilities, and extra Skill and Feat. A number of the Feats effectively just give an extra +1 bonus to an Ability score too, which means they balance out as a +2 and +1 (same as non humans, essentially).

The 3E Feats were really more an exercise in building combat manoeuvres, metamagic and so on - which are now more options within Classes rather than open to everyone.

 

[Paraxis]

One of the big differences I touched on in my first post is some feats that you needed to get your character concept to work in 3e, are just not needed in 5e. In 3e if I wanted to dual wield I needed to take a feat or two to make it effective, in 5e I just pick up two short swords no matter my class and go to town. In 3e if I wanted to be an archer the firing into melee penalty of -4 was so big why bother without having the right feats, in 5e if the DM rules the target gets some cover it is only a +2 to their AC and if I am a fighter or ranger archer my fighting style overcomes that easy enough, and if not I don't feel like I need the sharp shooter feet where in 3e taking precise shot for any archer was almost mandatory, and that meant also taking point blank shot first.

The simpler ruleset of 5e, and the fact that you can do things like just pick up a two short swords, use your dex to hit and damage and get a second attack at no penalty to hit on either attack is so nice. The feat taxes of 3e are gone, and that to me is huge.

 

[Celtavian]

One of the big differences I touched on in my first post is some feats that you needed to get your character concept to work in 3e, are just not needed in 5e. In 3e if I wanted to dual wield I needed to take a feat or two to make it effective, in 5e I just pick up two short swords no matter my class and go to town. In 3e if I wanted to be an archer the firing into melee penalty of -4 was so big why bother without having the right feats, in 5e if the DM rules the target gets some cover it is only a +2 to their AC and if I am a fighter or ranger archer my fighting style overcomes that easy enough, and if not I don't feel like I need the sharp shooter feet where in 3e taking precise shot for any archer was almost mandatory, and that meant also taking point blank shot first.

The simpler ruleset of 5e, and the fact that you can do things like just pick up a two short swords, use your dex to hit and damage and get a second attack at no penalty to hit on either attack is so nice. The feat taxes of 3e are gone, and that to me is huge.

Not having to take Weapon Finesse is damn nice. I was so tired of having to write house rules for dex-based fighters.

Only thing I don't like is that 2hander fighting is still hands down superior to everything else. Wish they had found a way to put two-weapon fighting and sword and board on equal footing. But once again the min/max option is a two-handed weapon and everything else is a distant second.