Feat Swapping

[Mav.rik]

I allow my players to swap out feats everytime they get a one they can change another... It allows a bit of flexibility... and allows people not to get stuck in a rut

MAvrik

 

[genshou]

I allow my players to swap out feats everytime they get a one they can change another... It allows a bit of flexibility... and allows people not to get stuck in a rut

MAvrik

Feats are something I prefer to make a character keep once they've taken it.

However, in order to remove the strictures of only getting 7 feats (non-human, no bonus feats from classes included) in a character's entire pre-epic adventuring life, I do give out a feat at every level. Something to consider.

But, allowing them to swap feats within reasonable limits is fine, too. Just figure out what those reasonable limits are for your own gaming group and playing style.

 

[ARandomGod]

I allow my players to swap out feats everytime they get a one they can change another... It allows a bit of flexibility... and allows people not to get stuck in a rut

MAvrik

I can see that, should alter the game in an interesting way.

Thought: Do you have additional rules/restrictions about feats that can only be taken at first level? The simple one is to leave it, say you can only take it then, you can drop one for a feat without that pre-req, but then you can never take it again.

Or you could say that one is unalterable (I imagine someone taking one of those wouldn't alter it anyhow).

Heh. I can think of other potential rulings as well.

Not a very big issue, just something to have thought about so you can have an answer if it comes up.

 

[babomb]

I do give out a feat at every level.

A lvl. 20 human fighter in your game gets 32 feats! Have you added cool high-level feats for 'em (or have you gotten anywhere near that high-level)?

 

[Crothian]

A lvl. 20 human fighter in your game gets 32 feats! Have you added cool high-level feats for 'em (or have you gotten anywhere near that high-level)?

I do the same and with all the books I allow the fighter has more choices then they can possible take.

 

[genshou]

A lvl. 20 human fighter in your game gets 32 feats! Have you added cool high-level feats for 'em (or have you gotten anywhere near that high-level)?

Like Crothian, I do not add any high-level feats on top of those already in products published for 3E by Wizards (as well as a few homebrew and E.N. Publishing goodies). No need to add more ways for such a character to min/max via feat chain–I give a feat every level in order to get such players to take a greater variety of feats.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

I actually wouldn't make it a "rule" that feats can be swapped for characters. A D&D character needs a certain degree of consistency that comes from NOT being able to freely change everything he's actually learned, but rather simply ADD to that knowledge to reflect ongoing changes and adaptation. In other words, as a RULE players need to be told that once they choose a feat that feat DOES NOT CHANGE. In much the same way, once you assign a certain die result to your Dexterity that IS your dexterity and you can't just change it down the road because you don't like it anymore.

"But Duane!" I hear you say, "all character get to add a point to their ability scores every four levels!" Too true. But you ADD it to your already determined ability scores. You don't just swap your Charisma and Dexterity because you don't like it anymore and want to make your character different from what it has been.

That said, if a player comes to you and says, "You know I REALLY made a bad, bad choice of feats last time. It really isn't working the way I thought it was going to and I think it takes this character in a really undesirable direction. So, before it actually becomes disruptive to do so I'd like to take a different feat."

THAT I'd allow.

 

[SBMC]

I actually wouldn't make it a "rule" that feats can be swapped for characters. A D&D character needs a certain degree of consistency that comes from NOT being able to freely change everything he's actually learned, but rather simply ADD to that knowledge to reflect ongoing changes and adaptation. In other words, as a RULE players need to be told that once they choose a feat that feat DOES NOT CHANGE. In much the same way, once you assign a certain die result to your Dexterity that IS your dexterity and you can't just change it down the road because you don't like it anymore.

"But Duane!" I hear you say, "all character get to add a point to their ability scores every four levels!" Too true. But you ADD it to your already determined ability scores. You don't just swap your Charisma and Dexterity because you don't like it anymore and want to make your character different from what it has been.

That said, if a player comes to you and says, "You know I REALLY made a bad, bad choice of feats last time. It really isn't working the way I thought it was going to and I think it takes this character in a really undesirable direction. So, before it actually becomes disruptive to do so I'd like to take a different feat."

THAT I'd allow.

I would as well - but I would ask the player to tell me WHAT direction he wants then pre-approve the new feat choice.

As far as a feat every level - that kinda defeats the purpose of feats (to supplement a character's class abilities and concept) and classes in my mind and makes munchkinizing the mainstay of play, IMO that is. The onl class that is designed around feats is the fighter - the others have class abilities instead.

May as well just switch to an alternate character creation rule set such as that found in Unearthed Arcana.

 

[genshou]

I would as well - but I would ask the player to tell me WHAT direction he wants then pre-approve the new feat choice.

As far as a feat every level - that kinda defeats the purpose of feats (to supplement a character's class abilities and concept) and classes in my mind and makes munchkinizing the mainstay of play, IMO that is. The onl class that is designed around feats is the fighter - the others have class abilities instead.

May as well just switch to an alternate character creation rule set such as that found in Unearthed Arcana.

I won't get into a discussion about a feat every level here–there were just recently TWO threads on the subject and we don't need another. It's just a choice that works well for my games, and my players. Much better than simply allowing feats to be swapped around like some sick kind of barter system. That's MUCH more entertaining of an idea to munchkins than a feat every level.