D&D 5E Adding Feats to the Existing Backgrounds

[Charlaquin]

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...

Why they made Feats optional? Because fanbase at the time was split down the middle on them. The 3e fans and the 4e fans didn’t agree on much, but they did all agree they wanted feats, while the OSR crowd wanted them gone. It was clear neither side was going to be satisfied without dissatisfying the other, so WotC split the Gordian Knot by making them optional. The compromise actually pleased pretty much everyone at the time. With the promise of Feats being “worth” +2 to your primary ability score (and stuff like Sharpshooter and GWM as examples of what the new feats would look like), there were even people excited about the idea of possibly only taking Feats instead of ASIs.

 

[Charlaquin]

Very good analysis. Spot on, I think.

In previous discussions on the changes to D&D races, the idea of enhancing backgrounds to replace the removed cultural traits had been raised. Seems like this could be Wizards' attempt to do that.

I hope so. It was a huge missed opportunity not to have done that in the first place.

 

[Charlaquin]

The UA did not add feats. It replaced background features with custom feats so that others can take aspects fo those backgrounds during play as well. So all of the features can become feats, and then the backgrounds add them.

So no existing feats would be moved into play for backgrounds.

Look again.

FEATURE: SQUIRE OF SOLAMNIA
You gain the Squire of Solamnia feat (presented later in this document).
In addition, the Knights of Solamnia provide you free, modest lodging and food at any of their fortresses or encampments.

 

[Parmandur]

Look again.

FEATURE: SQUIRE OF SOLAMNIA
You gain the Squire of Solamnia feat (presented later in this document).
In addition, the Knights of Solamnia provide you free, modest lodging and food at any of their fortresses or encampments.

Same as the Strixhaven Backgrounds: they have those RP touches as well as the Feats.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I think, the existing feats don't really work.
For the soldier I rather expect light armor and a weapon and maybe a bonus that makes it useful for fighters too.
But I think this is the way to go in the future. It strengthens backgrounds and allows for more concepts right from the start that are independant from race.

Fighter mage level 1?
Soldier wizard or sage fighter.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I support this change, getting feats to customize your character is too punishing in 5e because of the feat or asi choice and comes later then it should. The folks who pushed for that instead of just getting feats have moved onto the OSR. So a feat with a background is a great start.

 

[Horwath]

5E still needs separate pool for ASIs, combat feats and social/exploration feats.

Possibly put all feats at "half-feat" power level so there can be more instances of getting them.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

5E still needs separate pool for ASIs, combat feats and social/exploration feats.

Possibly put all feats at "half-feat" power level so there can be more instances of getting them.

I am actually against that.
I like the ASI/feat dynamic.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I

There can still be an official setting that doesnt grant feats.

For example, perhaps Greyhawk will present low-tier fragility as a setting trope, a feature, not a bug. Maybe the default will ban feats from the setting, with advice to DMs who want feats.

Meanwhile I imagine, the Forgotten Realms setting cant wait to get its hands on FR setting feats.

Feats are a great way to get buy in from players to familiarize themselves with the themes and tropes unique to each setting.

love this idea

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I am actually against that.
I like the ASI/feat dynamic.

I don't it radical discourages taking feats.