D&D 5E Feat to negate disadvantage in casting spells at close range?

[PnPgamer]

I would ask for a custom feat from your dm. Maybe:
Versatile Blaster
1. Ranged cantrips don't suffer disad in melee, and
2. Once per short rest, you can change one spell energy type to another.
Flavorful and useful and not unbalanced ( I don't think.?)

This could be the thing to prevent yourself getting a feat that you'll use only one aspect of. Consult your dm for some ideas to further this, as the example above is way weaker than any other feat,imo.

 

[Psikerlord#]

This could be the thing to prevent yourself getting a feat that you'll use only one aspect of. Consult your dm for some ideas to further this, as the example above is way weaker than any other feat,imo.

If that feels a bit weak, you could bump it up a bit by giving it a +1 int/wis/cha stat boost too? Or what other mini bonus, hmmm, perhaps for one fight per short rest, you crit with cantrips on a 19-20, instead of a 20? Still probably not OP, but makes every roll more exciting and goes nicely with a blaster archetype.

 

[PnPgamer]

If that feels a bit weak, you could bump it up a bit by giving it a +1 int/wis/cha stat boost too? Or what other mini bonus, hmmm, perhaps for one fight per short rest, you crit with cantrips on a 19-20, instead of a 20? Still probably not OP, but makes every roll more exciting and goes nicely with a blaster archetype.

Safest bet would be the associated stat boost, imo.

 

[Riley37]

there should be a feat that removes the penalty for dropping below 0 hit points

You mean the racial ability that all half-orcs get, or the class ability that green paladins get?

 

[fjw70]

You mean the racial ability that all half-orcs get, or the class ability that green paladins get?

There is a huge difference between removing a penalty through a limited us ability and permanently removing a penalty.

 

[Authweight]

Hiya.

Well, as far as feats go I think the name of the Feat should be the deciding factor. When I'm reading Crossbow Expert, I'm reading what it can do from the perspective that it was put in the book so a PC could be, you know, "an expert with crossbows". When I read Polearm Master I get the distinct impression it's got something to do with being good with Polearms.

Reading "Crossbow Expert" and thinking "Hey, that's great! Now I can cast cantrip spells in melee combat and not at disadvantage!" To me that's akin to someone reading the manual to their new blender/juicer and them thinking "Awesome! Now I can type 120 words per minute!". A blender/juicer chops things up really fast...but it doesn't have anything to do with how fast you can type. Shooting a crossbow and bending the fabric of reality with a few words and gestures isn't exactly the same thing in my book.

Any player at our table would be laughed at if he/she came to the game thinking "Crossbow Master" made them better at casting Cantrips. Then, after everyone settled down and realized the player was actually serious, there would be uncomfortable silence and blank stares for a few seconds...before someone would make some other completely illogical jump in order to crack a joke about it (followed by more laughter, of course).

My suggestion: If all else fails, look at the name/title to help. And in this case, "Crossbow" does not equate to "Casting Cantrips" in any way, shape or form.

^_^

Paul L. Ming

I'm not sure why the title (which is there for reference) should hold more weight than the actual substance of what is written. I mean, you're free to rule that way, but making fun of someone for reading the rule straightforwardly seems mean-spirited and unnecessary.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Some can say I will be wasting a feat by getting this 'minor' combat advantage. The thing is in my group, we are two spell casters, a fighter and a rogue. It's very easy for a bunch of enemies to break our formation and get close to us spellcasters. Having the ability to cast range attack spells at close range then knocking them a few squares away will be worth it for me (Eldritch blast + repelling blast).

Consider two levels of rogue (start as rogue, for the extra skills). Cunning Action gives you a bonus action with which you can take the Disengage action. Solves your problem right there, at a cost of two levels but a gain of sneak attack, expertise, two additional skills, an every-turn bonus action, Thieves Cant, and short sword, hand crossbow, and rapier proficiency.

Make it 3 levels, and you can take Arcane Trickster, which combos wonderfully with Warlock (ACCESS TO SLEEP SPELL!).

 

[billd91]

I'm not sure why the title (which is there for reference) should hold more weight than the actual substance of what is written.

I don't know about more weight, but I generally think names should be pretty indicative of the things they're naming. Skimming titles or stat blocks, I don't know if I would expect a Crossbow Expert feat to have any significant effect for someone not wielding a crossbow.

 

[Authweight]

I don't know about more weight, but I generally think names should be pretty indicative of the things they're naming. Skimming titles or stat blocks, I don't know if I would expect a Crossbow Expert feat to have any significant effect for someone not wielding a crossbow.

Obviously, names should call out what the ability does. But that doesn't mean it should affect the interpretation of the rules. It just means that a bad name is a bad name.

Edit to say: I don't think it's an unreasonable interpretation to say that crossbow expert only affects crossbows despite the wording in the ability itself. I really just object to the idea that those who sit down at the table thinking otherwise should be mocked for their reading of it.

 

[green_destiny]

Convertedmy warlock tiefling to human. DM says crossbowexpert feat can be taken to remove disadvantage of spell attacks at melee, but I opted not to take it... i'm taking magic initiate instead which grants me 2 cantrips and 1 level1 spell from another class.

I took sorcerer's shocking grasp cantrip for a melee spell (advantage when enemy wearing metal armor) and removes enemy's reaction (attack of oppotunity) while I move away from him.

note: i also took Light cantrip to compensate my character now not able to see in the dark (which a tiefling grants).

I considered doing multi class but its really not my cup of tea as i want to gain warlock levels asap.