D&D 5E Adding Feats to the Existing Backgrounds

[NaturalZero]

If I had my druthers, custom backgrounds would be presented as the default option, with the pre-built backgrounds as examples.

I can't count how many 5e characters I've built at this point but I've never run a background straight out of the book. I always pick a feature and then 4 tools or languages. If I were designing the system from players like myself, I'd just make the mechanical feature the centerpiece of the background and let languages and tools just be a floating thing that people pick. Even 2 PCs who are both sailors or nobles, or whatever, are not necessarily going to have the same exposure to languages or tools.

 

[TwoSix]

FWIW, every group I know of plays this way already... so I could easily see WotC following the lead.

Yea, I think the modern game works better when characters have more definition at creation.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Yea, I think the modern game works better when characters have more definition at creation.

I agree, to a point. Too much and it is overwhelming to new players, encourages power-gaming even more, etc. But otherwise, yes.

What I find interesting is according to articles I read about Bounded Accuracy and 5E design, one of the goals was to get away from simple numerical increases when leveling, yet the inclusion of feat (one of the best ways to expend power in non numerical terms) was purposefully put in as "optional". 90-95% of groups use feats, so I have no idea why they would do that...

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Yea, I think the modern game works better when characters have more definition at creation.

we start at 3rd or 5th so you have the ability to multiclass and/or subclass along with feats... I can't stand starting 1st level anymore.

 

[TwoSix]

What I find interesting is according to articles I read about Bounded Accuracy and 5E design, one of the goals was to get away from simple numerical increases when leveling, yet the inclusion of feat (one of the best ways to expend power in non numerical terms) was purposefully put in as "optional". 90-95% of groups use feats, so I have no idea why they would do that...

Yes, plus the fact that the normal starting stats and baseline play encourage boring numerical increases over interesting feat choices.

If anything, feats should be baseline and ASIs should be optional.

 

[NaturalZero]

Yes, plus the fact that the normal starting stats and baseline play encourage boring numerical increases over interesting feat choices.

If anything, feats should be baseline and ASIs should be optional.

After years of playing 5e, I still strongly prefer the 3e and 4e method - ASIs AND feats instead of making people choose math over something potentially qualitative. I really dislike design that encourages people to choose math porn over things like the Actor feat.

 

[DND_Reborn]

After years of playing 5e, I still strongly prefer the 3e and 4e method - ASIs AND feats instead of making people choose math over something potentially qualitative. I really dislike design that encourages people to choose math porn over things like the Actor feat.

I think all the feats should be reworked as half-feats, so an ability +1 and some extra feature or two.

 

[TwoSix]

I think all the feats should be reworked as half-feats, so an ability +1 and some extra feature or two.

I'd probably go the other way, chunkier full feats AND a +1 whenever you get an ASI. Feats come so rarely, they really need to be strongly defining. I mean, I've been in a lot of games where the VHuman bonus feat and the level 4 feat are the only ones you get.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I'd probably go the other way, chunkier full feats AND a +1 whenever you get an ASI. Feats come so rarely, they really need to be strongly defining. I mean, I've been in a lot of games where the VHuman bonus feat and the level 4 feat are the only ones you get.

Hmm... good point.

I'd mix the two: half feats with +1 ASI but more of them.

Personally, I don't like feats being too strong because then they are harder to balance.

 

[jmartkdr2]

So, uh... a friend wants to know what background gives Polearm Master? >.>

I'm in favor of chunkier background features. The existing ones seem to get forgotten pretty quickly.