Should feats be open or class specific?

[Meatboy]

(I want to preface this by saying this could be a very 5e topic but I've been working on a heartbreaker and just ended up thinking about this topic and was wondering what you guys thought.)
Personally I am very torn on this. I thinking having general feats that everyone picks from can allow for more cross training but as we've seen can lead into "must haves" and can also lead to bland design choices in order to balance them out.
On the flip side by giving classes specific things that only they get to choose from one can make more flavorful design choices as well as preserve their roll in the group dynamic. At the same time though you can end up with reams of rules for every class which can lead to very weighty tomes.
So what's better, what's worse, what do you like?

 

[Stormonu]

Feats should be open. Class features or talents should be specific to either one or a small group of classes. For example, back in 3E, Weapon Specialization should have been a class feature - one path of about three, and an option with more bite. Weapon Dedication should have been the feat, available to anybody.

 

[Sunseeker]

There should be a mix.

Some feats should be specific to class. Representing specialized training in one aspect of your class.
Some feats should be ability specific, ie: if your int is 13+ or you can wield polearms.
Some feats should be open, not representing a specific form of training, or prowess in a certain area, but general world wisdom, things that anyone would gain after a long time of adventuring. Toughness is a good example.

 

[delericho]

Feats should be open.

There's plenty of space for making things class-specific, but it's generally better to put such things in with the class itself.

 

[Quartz]

Yes, feats should be open.

 

[Umbran]

Yes. Feats should be open, or class specific.

I think I prefer a mix. Make most of them entirely open. Make some of them relevant to common class features (like metamagic feats had been) and/or semi-specific, not having a specific class as an absolute requirement, but relevant to activities usually undertaken by certain classes.

 

[Umbran]

Yes. Feats should be open, or class specific.

I think I prefer a mix. Make most of them entirely open. Make some of them relevant to common class features (like metamagic feats had been) and/or semi-specific, not having a specific class as an absolute requirement, but relevant to activities usually undertaken by certain classes.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Feats for the most part should be open, except for the select few that allow you to make your class features (and race features for that matter) better or wider. All others should be open to everyone (even if they aren't necessarily great choices.)

 

[The Human Target]

Open.

 

[Meatboy]

wow that's a lot of consensus on these boards.