D&D 5E Help Me Pick a Feat for my Sorcerer (or not)

[CleverNickName]

My paladin died in our last adventure (# @lowkey13 approved^TM) and so I had to roll up a new, 5th level character to replace him. Using the 4d6 method, I ended up with 17 - 15 - 13 - 12 - 9 - 8. Not too shabby. I decided to go with the Eladrin subrace from MtoF, and a sorcerer with the Fey Magic subrace from XLN, for story reasons. And lastly, my DM gave me the City Watch background (from SCAG) to help tie my new character into the story.

So the story goes, my sorcerer is a member of the Green Guard--a group of druids and rangers that protect the town of Black Oak. I'm a sorcerer who knows a good deal of druid magic, and a member of the local law enforcement. To help step into that role a little bit more, and since this is a largely urban, social campaign setting, I decided that my sorcerer would favor protection/enchanting spells over blasting/summoning spells that might cause a lot of collateral damage to civilians.

I have the stats to start with a 20 in Charisma (rolled 17, +1 for Eladrin subrace, +2 ASI at 4th level). But I might choose a feat instead, because feats are generally more interesting to me. (You probably noticed that "game optimization" isn't a very high priority for this character.)

So what are your favorite feats for a policeman-type character? or druid-type character? or sorcerer-type character? Because I've kinda got all three going on here.

 

[Fenris-77]

Alertness is what came to mind first, although it's really not the optimized pick (even when you aren't that fashed about optimization).

 

[CleverNickName]

Alertness is what came to mind first, although it's really not the optimized pick (even when you aren't that fashed about optimization).

Indeed, Alertness is definitely on my list of favorites. However, my DM let me start with a random magic item since this guy's a 5th level character, and I ended up with the weapon of warning. So stacking that with Alert might be overkill.

I like Observant, too...pretty useful for a crime-fighter.

 

[Fenris-77]

Again, not optimized, but that concept feels like it could make good use of a broad set of skills, especially the CHA based ones, which you'd be great at, - things like Persuasion, Intimidation, etc. So whatever that feat is that lets you add skills might be cool if you feel like your guy might feel more complete as more of a skill monkey than you get with the Sorcerer class alone.

 

[MoonSong]

If you have got good wisdom, maybe Magic Initiate for a druid touch -or the extra spell known, these are always good-.

 

[Mistwell]

Skulker feat. It allows you to hide in darkness (with no other cover) versus foes with darkvision. Just the sort of thing Batman would choose

The Fog Cloud spell plus Alert feat would also be a nice combination for this character. Everyone in the fog operates as normal (advantage against foes who cannot see you canceled by disadvantage against unseen foes) except you. You don't grant advantage to unseen foes, but the fog cloud will cause them to still have disadvantage against you.

Fog otherwise doesn't harm the innocent citizens of the city.

And this combination is also very Batman

 

[Tony Vargas]

My paladin died in our last adventure (# @lowkey13 approved^TM) and so I had to roll up a new, 5th level character to replace him.

Man, I am having a lot of "Kids these days!" reactions, er… these days. OK, today, it seems like.
Seriously? You didn't start your new PC at 1st? But, BA! You should be /fine/ ...as long as nothing looks at you too hard.

….I decided that my sorcerer would favor protection/enchanting spells over blasting/summoning spells that might cause a lot of collateral damage to civilians...
Eladrin subrace...So what are your favorite feats for a policeman-type character? or druid-type character? or sorcerer-type character? Because I've kinda got all three going on here.

Feats, honestly, don't hugely interest me. I usually don't opt into them when I run.
Observant and Grappler both seem like they'd be handy for a watchman wanting to bring in the bad guys.
Nothing leaps to mind for limiting collateral damage.

Druid spells you might want, to start, OTOH, could include: Faerie Fire, Entangle, Longstrider, and Speak w/Animals (expand your witness pool!). And, amusingly, at 2nd you could cast Moonbeam to have a spotlight chasing the bad guys around, like you've called in a chopper. ;P More serious 2nd level spells: Animal Messenger, Darkvision, Find Traps, Hold Person, and Locate Object should have obvious applications in your line of work, too.

 

[Blue]

For a policeman, Keen Mind is fun. Yeah, the +1 INT won't help you. But being able to recall anything you've seen or heard in the past month is policeman gold. Not getting lost in alleys (always know north) and always knowing how much longer is on your watch (number of hours until sunset or sunrise) is nifty.

Lucky is also a fun concept for a policeman, and likely more mechanically useful.

If you are a sgt, detective or other non-grunt, Inspiring Leader is nice for a high-CHR character. I've got an oath of the ancients paladin of the elven god of beauty and love. We were traveling and I broke out into reciting poetry about beauty. Most of the party made dismissive noises, "where's the silence spell". A few said they listened. After 10 minutes passed in game, I let them know they got temp HPs. Everyone else was startled - but now are poetry lovers as well.

 

[Salthorae]

I mean if you're going to know Druid Spells you can't go wrong some Magic Initiate (druid) to double down on that theme.

Pick up Guidance, another spell that doesn't require a good Wis for save/attack (maybe Resistance?), then pick up Goodberry or Animal Friendship or something as your 1st level spell. Those both have good durations, but Animal Friendship is a save so depends on your Wis to go that route.

 

[5ekyu]

I would recommend ritual caster to get find familiar and other rituals as you go along. Unseen servant as ritual is strong.

A second option would be magic initiate for the same reason. Friends cantrip is good for short interrogations - boosting your charisma checks - to gain info when you dont care about anger after. So that is one decent cantrip to gain from MI too.

These options seem to me to fit the sorcerer and cop - not spotting but investigating - as well as the familiar hitting both surveillance and fey angles.

Going alert or observant arm yo hunt for humberside and bonuses - these try to more "open new doors" kind of keys to other approaches.