Methods for Handing Out More Feats

[CharlesRyan]

I give feats on every odd level, along with a stat bump on even levels. This is in a low-magic-items campaign, so it balances all right. (Among other things, I don't have stat-boosting items in my campaign.)

I also use the Flaws system from Unearthed Arcana.

As mentioned, the overall effect of the souped-up progression is only an extra 3 feats over 20 levels (maybe 2 feats over the 12 or so levels that my campaign is actually likely to last), along with 5 points of stat boosting over 20 levels (3 over 12). So while it feels like a real boost to the players, it isn't really driving power levels over the top even if you don't change how magic items are given out.

 

[WildWeasel]

And you're not unbalancing the game if you take the extra capability and power into account. You are changing what that balance is, but that's kind of the point

 

[CharlesRyan]

You're right that balance is an in-game consideration; as long as the encounters are scaled to a change in PC power, the game remains perfectly playable and fun.

I just like to keep my game's power level at roughly the "standard," so that I can continue to rely on the CR system and can pull encounters or adventures off the shelf and feel confident that they'll work as intended.

 

[Li Shenron]

I want a somewhat balanced way to give my players more feats for their characters. Though, I worry that just upping feat progression to 1 feat per level will completely devalue the fighter class.

We are doing that right now, and at least until mid-levels it doesn't devalue the fighter.

Best anyway if you reap fighter-only feats from any book you can find.

I am contemplating making available some sort of magic item that would provide permanent access to a feat, for example magical tattoos with a symbolic link to the feat gained. How should I monetarily value such a magic item? What is a feat worth?

IMHO there is no relationship needed between the flavor (the tattoo) and the cost (a feat "slot" or otherwise gp/xp cost). It doesn't matter if the PC got the benefit of a feat by training or with a magic ritual or whatever, once it has the feat, so you're totally free to add whatever flavor device you like...

But then I cannot say what's an appropriate gp or xp price for a feat. Seen lots of house rules about that, and I have to say I've been convinced by none of them at all, so for me the only safe rule is feats through levelling.