D&D 5E Alternatives to feats and feats as alternatives

[Li Shenron]

This topic might belong to the context of the "Advanced" D&D 5ed game.

In the "Standard" game feats are always presented as an alternative to ability score increase (+2 to a single score or +1/+1 to two different scores), and these are gained only at specific class levels.

Let's assume the "size" of a feat or ability score increase in the final product is the same as it is now in the last playtest packet.

Share your ideas about the following questions:

1) What other alternatives could be allowed in place of a feat / ability score increase?

2) What other character elements could be replaced by a feat / ability score increase (or their alternatives)?

 

[Li Shenron]

Some examples of my own to start with:

Alternatives to feats:

- a set number (to be determined) of proficiencies could replace a feat/ab.sc.inc. [here I'm thinking that a whole background might be too much]

Feats as alternatives:

- part of the ability score increases of Humans could be replaced by a feat/ab.sc.inc. (or its alternatives)
- a spellcaster's cantrips could be replaced by a feat/ab.sc.inc. (or its alternatives)

[I also thought about class/subclass features being replaceable by a feat, but IMO feats are significantly bigger on average]