D&D (2024) Background feats and flexibility

[ECMO3]

Your post is spot-on. The PHB isn't out yet and some are already complaining that the power creep they got (free feat) is restrictive.

Two things -

First changing the ability increases so you can't choose where they go is not power creep it is actually a nerf.

Second the current system for feats is not restrictive at all, all the origin feats are available to all players.

My big problem is the background system is not thematic. Tying specific feats to specific backgrounds really gets in the way of actually developing a meaningful backstory, and the mechanics associated with them encourage PCs into certain backgrounds and generally backgrounds that make no sense with respect to traditional class backstories.

 

[MarkB]

I agree that more flexibility in backgrounds would be very beneficial. But just as a reminder, the names of these backgrounds are just convenient labels, and the rules specifically say that you can overwrite their descriptions with whatever you want.

If you want to gain the benefits of the Sailor background without ever having been on a boat, you just pick the background and change the description to match your character's actual backstory.

 

[Necropolitan]

My big problem is the background system is not thematic. Tying specific feats to specific backgrounds really gets in the way of actually developing a meaningful backstory, and the mechanics associated with them encourage PCs into certain backgrounds and generally backgrounds that make no sense with respect to traditional class backstories.

This 100%.

At this point I'd say just let players pick ability score increases, skills, etc. and then slap whatever name on it makes sense.

A Wizard with the Sailor background could have been the ship's mage instead of just another crewman and should be able to have their character's mechanics reflect that.