D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: 16 New Feats

"Today’s Unearthed Arcana presents a selection of new feats for Dungeons & Dragons. Each feat offers a way to become better at something or to gain a whole new ability."

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The feats include Artificer Initiate, Chef, Crusher, Eldritch Adept, Fey Touched, Fighting Initiate, Gunner, Metamagic Adept, Poisoner, Piercer, Practiced Expert, Shadow Touched, Shield Training, Slasher, Tandem Tactician, and Tracker.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I think one thing that can't get lost in the +1 feats when they initially appear weak is that they are great options when you have an odd valued stat. Rather than spend 2 ASI to get that one 13 to a 14, but then that other 16 to a 17 (giving no benefit), now you can get that 13 to a 14 and also get another benefit.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Regarding the weapon damage-type feats, no group I have ever played with since I started in the early 80's placed randomly generated magic weapons and armor. What DM likes to screw over their players like that?

I guess I'm that kind of DM?

 

[Kobold Avenger]

What a mess.

Chef
:...These special treats last 8 hours after being made." Why do they spoil to fast?

I seem to remember something like every 20 minutes the amount of potentially harmful bacteria doubles in cooked food. 8 hours would be quite unhealthy, and that's been generous.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Have you ever eaten ice cream after it's served? 8 hours after it's served? Also, temp HP because since we know HP also reflect energy and focus, and we know food can give you a temp boost of energy, it makes total sense.

But it seems like this UA clearly isn't for you since you seem to be focused on how bad it is.

This UA has a lot of good ideas, but it made a mess of them.

I love the idea of a chef feat, for example, but doesn't make much sense in the fiction. Why temp HP and not a bonus to attack rolls speed. Those could also be described as energy. Even still, food doesn't really give me a sudden boost of energy. The feat doesn't provide much of an explanation.

Also, ice cream isn't made by chefs. It resides in the realm of confectioners.

 

[Marandahir]

They also fill the role of granting Eldritch Knights a little magic from first level instead of waiting till 3rd.

Now here you're talking. We may not agree on much, but this is a critical take-away I hadn't considered.

The most problematic narrative conceit of 5e is that some subclasses are front-loaded while others have to wait one or more levels before they get their actual story conceits into play mechanically. If everyone gets a bonus feat at 1st level (IMHO, Theros' Supernatural Gift rules can and should be the norm), then you don't need to worry about that problem.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

I seem to remember something like every 20 minutes the amount of potentially harmful bacteria doubles in cooked food. 8 hours would be quite unhealthy, and that's been generous.

If that were true, I should be dead several times over.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I love the idea of a chef feat, for example, but doesn't make much sense in the fiction. Why temp HP and not a bonus to attack rolls speed. Those could also be described as energy. Even still, food doesn't really give me a sudden boost of energy. The feat doesn't provide much of an explanation.

Hit points don't just mean physical health. It can mean speed or a sugar rush if you want it, and it makes just as much sense as creating magically "healing" food.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Hit points don't just mean physical health. It can mean speed or a sugar rush if you want it, and it makes just as much sense as creating magically "healing" food.

Does sugar do that to you? It certainly doesn't to me.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

If that were true, I should be dead several times over.

Do you have a refrigerator?

 

[Sacrosanct]

Also, ice cream isn't made by chefs. It resides in the realm of confectioners.

As a chef, this isn't true. All chefs worth their salt (no pun intended) know how to make ice cream, and do often as on demand special flavors.

If you don't believe me, watch a few episodes of Chopped or Iron Chef