Have you considered just giving your players open bonus feats at certain levels? I tried something similar to your solution in my game, but found that who needed what and when could vary considerably from build to build. It turned out to be much easier to just give everyone a few bonus feats of their choice early on in order to allow them to get those "must have" feats out of the way. With that taken care of, my players were free to pursue less optimal options that seemed more interesting to them. It was easy to do, and I didn't see any real power creep because there is a diminishing return when it comes to feats. You only have so many worthwhile choices for a PC's primary focus, and the extra choices just become little bonuses that add flavor or allow your character to do a secondary schtick well enough for it to be a viable option.
Rethinking Feats
- Thread starter SabreCat
- Start date
I went with 2 at 1st level, and one at 6th, 11th, 16th, & 21st. I was shooting for an extra feat every five levels, and the frontloading at first level was designed to allow a player to quickly have whatever build they want up and running right away. The rest were designed to space things out a bit. The rule was also made pre-essentials back when some of the feats everyone would take had paragon tier or epic tier as a prerequisite, so my players didn't feel like they were waiting on anything.
I wouldn't worry to much about what I did and do what you think would be best for your group. My plan was designed keeping the levels my campaign would run at in mind, and I didn't want to give them too much right off the bat. I also think a good argument could be made for trying to work it out so all the bonus feats were available by 12th level, but would worry a little about power creep in the heroic tier until I had playtested it. Do what you think would work for you group. When it comes to shifting around when the feats should be given out, you're getting to the point where each group's individual play style will have a greater effect on whether it works than when exactly the feats are gained would.
I wouldn't worry to much about what I did and do what you think would be best for your group. My plan was designed keeping the levels my campaign would run at in mind, and I didn't want to give them too much right off the bat. I also think a good argument could be made for trying to work it out so all the bonus feats were available by 12th level, but would worry a little about power creep in the heroic tier until I had playtested it. Do what you think would work for you group. When it comes to shifting around when the feats should be given out, you're getting to the point where each group's individual play style will have a greater effect on whether it works than when exactly the feats are gained would.
eriktheguy
First Post
Slap me if I'm out of order here.
There are few paragon/epic feats period. You will spend most of them on heroic tier feats. This is how I build most of my characters and I think it's fine.
Just a point of view.
There are few paragon/epic feats period. You will spend most of them on heroic tier feats. This is how I build most of my characters and I think it's fine.
Just a point of view.
the Jester
Legend
If you give everyone a ton of bonus feats for free, you are overpowering the party imho.
If you instead build certain feats into the classes and remove the choice, you are- well, restricting player choice.
Personally, I think it's good that not every pc has the same feats. I think the whole "Everyone takes Expertise feats" thing is highly exaggerated- I have found that less than 50% of the pcs imc take them. Likewise, I don't think anyone in my campaign has taken any of the defense boosting feats.
The supposed "must have, taken by everyone feats" really aren't.
At least, in my experience. YMMV.
If you instead build certain feats into the classes and remove the choice, you are- well, restricting player choice.
Personally, I think it's good that not every pc has the same feats. I think the whole "Everyone takes Expertise feats" thing is highly exaggerated- I have found that less than 50% of the pcs imc take them. Likewise, I don't think anyone in my campaign has taken any of the defense boosting feats.
The supposed "must have, taken by everyone feats" really aren't.
At least, in my experience. YMMV.
Nemesis Destiny
Adventurer
That's a neat idea.
