D&D 5E Adding Feats to the Existing Backgrounds

[JEB]

I don’t see it that way. Nothing rises to a .5 edition IMO, yet. All these changes are so minor I wouldn’t notice the differences at the table

So now I'm curious, what changes would rise to a .5 edition in your view?

 

[Greg Benage]

I’d be a little surprised if they made feats non-optional. I wouldn’t mind, but I’d be surprised.

 

[Charlaquin]

I’d be a little surprised if they made feats non-optional. I wouldn’t mind, but I’d be surprised.

I expect they’ll retain the option to take an ASI instead. But, I think they’re going to be a part of character creation, with Backgrounds granting one, and custom lineage granting one. Variant Human I’m making a bit of a called shot on, I think they’re gonna get two Backgrounds and no ability score increases (including the standard floating +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1)

 

[JEB]

I expect they’ll retain the option to take an ASI instead. But, I think they’re going to be a part of character creation, with Backgrounds granting one, and custom lineage granting one. Variant Human I’m making a bit of a called shot on, I think they’re gonna get two Backgrounds and no ability score increases (including the standard floating +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1)

Maybe the ASI will itself be a feat, if a generic one. (Which would allow variant humans to basically get a double ASI at first level, under current rules.)

 

[Charlaquin]

Maybe the ASI will itself be a feat, if a generic one. (Which would allow variant humans to basically get a double ASI at first level, under current rules.)

Oh, that’s a good idea!

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Maybe the ASI will itself be a feat, if a generic one. (Which would allow variant humans to basically get a double ASI at first level, under current rules.)

(Variant) human will be out. Mark my words. Instead they gain something special that has nothing to do with feats.

Custom lineage won't survive tge transition either.

One feat in character creation will come with background and it will be a subset of all feats that are available. Most powerful feats will get a level prerequisite.

 

[Horwath]

Personally, backgrounds should include things like armor and weapon proficiencies as well, as some (very little) access to magic (if appropriate, such as sage or cloistered scholar maybe?), and maybe a saving throw proficiency (?), since they already include all the other proficiency types (skills, tools, and languages).

For example, I am playing a wizard and take the soldier background, yet I have NO proficiency in any sort of armor or shields??? Seems ridiculous IMO, so we added a bunch of stuff to backgrounds already and I would love to see WotC move in a similar direction.

yeah.

1 weapon proficiency could be taken instead of 1 tool or language
and 1 category of armor could be taken instead of 1 skill from background.

all background features should be axed and expertise in one background skill or tool added instead.

Background: Outlander
example skills: Athletics, Survival
example tools: cartography, woodcarver tools.
Expertise: one of background skills or tools.

That would make you an expert in your background profession.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

So now I'm curious, what changes would rise to a .5 edition in your view?

Good question, I will think about that and get back to you.

 

[Greg Benage]

I expect they’ll retain the option to take an ASI instead. But, I think they’re going to be a part of character creation, with Backgrounds granting one, and custom lineage granting one. Variant Human I’m making a bit of a called shot on, I think they’re gonna get two Backgrounds and no ability score increases (including the standard floating +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1)

Yeah, I'd be surprised. I think it adds quite a bit of pitch to the learning curve for new players, even if it's hard for us to see as experienced players. I expect them to keep the basic game as basic as possible. But we'll see!

 

[Micah Sweet]

I’d be a little surprised if they made feats non-optional. I wouldn’t mind, but I’d be surprised.

I wouldn't be. Feats exist to customize your character. That idea is very appealing to the new player demographic WotC is chasing, and to many older players as well (myself included). I think the people who want to play without feats are far in the minority at this point, when that was perhaps not the case in 2014.