D&D General Path of Feats: a Superior Design than Subclasses

[Silam]

In the April 2026 UA, Villainous Options, we got treated to the idea of Paths of Feats. Namely the Paths of the Lich and of the Death Knight. While I don’t care too much for these two specific paths, I think the general concept of Paths of Feats is absolutely excellent, and I hope WotC leans into it more in the future.

They are similar to 3e Prestige Classes rebuilt as just feats, which is actually brilliant.

In Eberron, we already have the Dragonmark feats which culminate into Greater and Potent Dragonmark feats. These are pretty similar to the Path of Feats concept, except they begin with an origin feat. This, too, is great design. It reminds of a 2e kit, since it kicks in from the very first level and even stems from the background.

Subclasses, on the other hand, feel like straightjackets. Hurray for Paths of Feats!

 

[Frozen_Heart]

Yeah even though neither of these two options works well for the type of character I build, I'm super excited for how this could be expanded in the future.

Feat chains of so much potential from both a storytelling and mechanical build perspective.

 

[Neonchameleon]

Feat chains shred customisation in favour of cookie cutter builds planned in advance. The good thing about these feat chains is that at least the middle feat can be chosen from a list rather than was preordained when you picked your feat at level 4.

 

[Morrus]

In the April 2026 UA, Villainous Options, we got treated to the idea of Paths of Feats. Namely the Paths of the Lich and of the Death Knight. While I don’t care too much for these two specific paths, I think the general concept of Paths of Feats is absolutely excellent, and I hope WotC leans into it more in the future.

They are similar to 3e Prestige Classes rebuilt as just feats, which is actually brilliant.

If only somebody had done that already!

 

[Silam]

If only somebody had done that already!

Does A5E include this? I haven’t looked at it in-depth yet. I skimmed through it a while back and it seemed mildly interesting but it didn’t captivate me that much at the time. Maybe I didn’t give it enough of a chance. Which part of A5E resembles this? I’m happy to learn more about it, if pointed in the right direction…

 

[Morrus]

Does A5E include this?

Yes.

I’m happy to learn more about it, if pointed in the right direction.

Try the feats chapter. That’s where we hid the feats.

 

[Silam]

Try the feats chapter. That’s where we hid the feats.

The feats are not very well hidden in the feats chapter, but finding the feats chapter was itself quite a challenge! But third times the charm and with your Guidance I finally tracked it down!

I see the feat chains in the Synergy Feats section. That’s interesting. I guess I can see @Neonchameleon’s concern that a feat chain might reduce customizability, and it might be true (but also, maybe overblown?)… In any case though, I would think a feat tree should not cause such adverse effect, at least not much.

In any case, it’s good to see these ideas flowing around in the community! Maybe WotC took inspiration from A5E!

 

[Sacrosanct]

I'm having flashbacks of optimization builds from 3e that was a huge turn off for me. Ah well, I guess while history doesn't always repeat, it sure does rhyme.

 

[Silam]

I'm having flashbacks of optimization builds from 3e that was a huge turn off for me. Ah well, I guess while history doesn't always repeat, it sure does rhyme.

Are there no crazy builds in 5e?

Is there something inherent about feats being prereqs for other feats which exacerbates this?

Not trying to pull your leg or anything. I’m genuinely curious. I’ve played 3.5e quite a bit so feel free to point out anything in particular that you feel is relevant, and I might remember…

 

[Nightfly]

Try the feats chapter. That’s where we hid the feats.

Instructions unclear, caught in weird fetish websites