D&D 5E Feats at first level (i.e. generalising Theros' idea)

[Casimir Liber]

I liked this idea of customizing characters by getting a feat related to a deity at first level. How do folks feel about them and has anyone introduced them to their (non-theros) campaign setting? Spitballing as am about to start DMing again.....

 

[tommybahama]

I had one DM allow me to take it with my Leonin in Storm King's Thunder. It was fine as it gave a small boost every long rest. Think of it as a trinket with oomph.

 

[Yaarel]

I liked this idea of customizing characters by getting a feat related to a deity at first level. How do folks feel about them and has anyone introduced them to their (non-theros) campaign setting? Spitballing as am about to start DMing again.....

I feel these optional level 1 feats are "setting feats" and need to help the player character plug into the themes and mood of the setting.

Theros Supernatural Gift
Ravenloft Dark Gift
(Presumably) Dark Sun Psionic Talent
(Alternatively) Eberron Dragon Mark

And so on.

If a DM adds level 1 feats, the DM might want to think about where these feats come from, what they mean, and how to flavor them to resonate the themes and moods of the wider setting.

Because 5e level 1 can be fragile, a setting feat is a reasonable buff. It is an opportunity to encourage players to invest in the setting.

 

[Casimir Liber]

Absolutely - each one on my list is linked with a particular deity so it "makes sense" and is coherent with the deity's goals/portfolio etc.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

My group just allows a bonus feat at level 1, and has for years. It adds a little more room for customization, and it’s fun.

 

[BookTenTiger]

That is a fun way to align every character with a faction, god, or magical alignment!

 

[jgsugden]

It will noit break the game. If it sounds fun, do it.

 

[cbwjm]

I keep on meaning to grant everyone a feat at 1st level but whenever we start a game, I always forget. I don't think it'd be a game breaker since everyone will have a feat, or supernatural gift. It's another point of early customisation which I think is great.

 

[Mind of tempest]

seems fun just make certain no one brings broken feats.

 

[Lyxen]

As long as the feats really reflect the deities and are not the usual super-powerful feat that get exploited by builds. The main difficulty is balance, making sure that gods are chose for story and flavor, not technical benefits...