Level Up (A5E) Feats at Level 1

[VenerableBede]

It appears that A5e took this out—I noticed that the culture that in the play test provided a feat now provides a chestful of skill proficiencies instead—but just in case I missed anything, are there any ways to begin the game with a feat?

 

[Faolyn]

You'd have to houserule it.

 

[Xaielao]

Feats are toned down a lot it seems, since o5e used them as a way to add customization to your character, and that's not a problem in a5e. So a houserule that gives a free feet at level 1 should be fine.

That said, there's not really as much of a need for it. You get lots of choices and customization even at level 1 to make each character feel more unique.

When I run a5e, I'm going to make sure my first game is unaltered, without a single house rule. That way I can see how the game plays 'out of the box' and if I feel like there's reason to houserule anything, I'll do so on the next one. It's just too soon to start hacking & houseruling, none of us have any idea how the game plays over a wide level range yet.

 

[VenerableBede]

Thanks for the answers, y'all! I'm not interested in houseruling such things yet—I was just curious if this were an option and I was missing it, which is not the case, apparently.

 

[cole1312]

It feels like feat and a +1 works really well for ASIs in A5E, since most feats give a +1. At least, if you like having powerful players.

 

[niklinna]

A5e characters seem like they're gonna be plenty powerful as they are presented!

 

[lichmaster]

I just finished reading the origins chapter, and I was thinking the same.
But there are so many customization options possible, and knowing that there are many combat maneuvers that allow you to do basically the same things you'd have done with o5e feats, I think it's ok.

 

[Xaielao]

That's my impression as well lichmaster. I was initially disappointed that feats are still tied to ASI. But there are so many choices to make, and feats have been toned down so much, they don't serve the same purpose they once did.

Same thing with +1/+1 ability score during character creation instead of +2/+1, and no longer tied to race (heritage). At first I thought I'd just HR that to the old way, but again the more I read the more I realize the game is balanced around a starting character having 16 or 17 in that primary ability score.

 

[Timespike]

That's my impression as well lichmaster. I was initially disappointed that feats are still tied to ASI. But there are so many choices to make, and feats have been toned down so much, they don't serve the same purpose they once did.

Same thing with +1/+1 ability score during character creation instead of +2/+1, and no longer tied to race (heritage). At first I thought I'd just HR that to the old way, but again the more I read the more I realize the game is balanced around a starting character having 16 or 17 in that primary ability score.

This is an odd take to me; I don't really feel like feats in general were toned down as a system, though a few of them did get a nerf. In fact, if anything, I think especially once you start getting into synergy feats, they can get really potent.

 

[Praeden]

Feats seem to me to be a bit vestigial in A5e. Sure, there are some interesting new options, but considering how much is now handled via heritage, culture, class and archetype, feats feel a bit like an extra add-on to an already crowded character sheet.