D&D 5E Feat at 1st Level: How To Go About It?

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Hello, everyone.

I'm considering giving all the characters the option of having a feat at first level.

At first, I'd considered just letting all the characters have a feat for free. But, then I thought that I really didn't want to force all the players to pick a feat (as some wouldn't want to). Nor, did I want to really change the power level of the characters.

So, the options that I've come to are these:

• Give up two points from racial ability score increase(s) to gain either a feat or proficiency in a skill at first level.
• Use 6 points from the points used to by your scores to purchase either a feat or proficiency in a skill at first level.​

What do you think? Are either of these options good? Is there a better option?

Thank you,

 

[jodyjohnson]

The Skilled feat gives 3 skills or tool proficiencies. So I'd just give everyone either a feat or 3 extra skill/tool proficiencies (the Skilled feat).

If not everyone wants it, I'd just skip changing anything. Losing ability points to fund an early feat is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

[Corpsetaker]

Hello, everyone.

I'm considering giving all the characters the option of having a feat at first level.

At first, I'd considered just letting all the characters have a feat for free. But, then I thought that I really didn't want to force all the players to pick a feat (as some wouldn't want to). Nor, did I want to really change the power level of the characters.

So, the options that I've come to are these:

• Give up two points from racial ability score increase(s) to gain either a feat or proficiency in a skill at first level.
• Use 6 points from the points used to by your scores to purchase either a feat or proficiency in a skill at first level.​

What do you think? Are either of these options good? Is there a better option?

Thank you,

Why would a player not want a free feat?

Just curious.

 

[Nine Hands]

I don't think its that big of a deal to do but I would not let anyone take the Variant Human since everyone already has a feat at first level.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Why would a player not want a free feat?

Just curious.

A couple of the players prefer very straight forward characters, without a lot of options to think about, especially options at character creation (which they don't enjoy as much as playing the game). Forcing them to pick a feat wouldn't be fun for them.

 

[Nine Hands]

A couple of the players prefer very straight forward characters, without a lot of options to think about, especially options at character creation (which they don't enjoy as much as playing the game). Forcing them to pick a feat wouldn't be fun for them.

I've never met anyone who would balk at something free, but if you've met someone like that, I guess the best option is to give them an Ability Score Increase instead, then as per the normal rules for ASIs, they can trade it in for a feat.

 

[Rhogar_Rarr]

I let my player's have a free feat at 1st level and I even allowed the variant human double feat option. But they opted for other races, a halfing, a half-elf, a drow, and a tiefling. Anyway, the free option is simple and easy. If they don't want to rifle through all the complicated feats, I would recommend the skilled or tough feat. Those ones are super simple and easy to keep track of. In addition, they're not bad feats to have.

I find that my players enjoy the extra feeling of customization and uniqueness that comes with the feats. For example, you have two identical half-elf, sword-n-board paladins. But one decides to take inspiring leader, while the other takes tavern brawler. Suddenly, one paladin is the paragon of leadership, with a shiny aura and all. Meanwhile, the other paladin likes to punch first and ask questions later.

Those feat choices can have a big impact on not only the way your character is played, but how your character is perceived. Yes some of this does reach over into roleplay and background of the character, but that should be part of the feat as well. The feats should makes sense for that character and their experiences.

 

[pukunui]

I've used your first option before (give up your racial +2 for a feat at 1st level). It works pretty well.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I've never met anyone who would balk at something free, but if you've met someone like that, I guess the best option is to give them an Ability Score Increase instead, then as per the normal rules for ASIs, they can trade it in for a feat.

It's not about getting something for free, it's getting something you don't want. It would be like someone coming to my door and saying "Hey man! Would you like this squash I have? It's FREE! What do you mean you don't like squash. Did you not hear the FREE part?"

And yes, there are a lot of players out there who don't like feats. A lot.

 

[FarBeyondC]

A couple of the players prefer very straight forward characters, without a lot of options to think about, especially options at character creation (which they don't enjoy as much as playing the game). Forcing them to pick a feat wouldn't be fun for them.

Personally (assuming the free feat wasn't an option to choose from among several), if they didn't want to choose a feat for whatever reason, I'd just let them not choose a feat. Depending on the significance of them having the feat at the beginning, I may or may not let them gain that feat at some reasonable point of their choosing.