D&D General Subclass and Feat Path thoughts (+)

[SkidAce]

The other thread got me thinking, mainly about how I had already been using "feat paths" for things like martial arts, fighter schools, magic styles, etc. Things you could ADD onto an existing character.

Subclasses seem to be more of specialized class (hence sub-class) that takes a base character class in a different direction.

Of the two, subclasses seem to have more power/abilities assigned to them than a feat path would. Subclasses "lock you in", and a blood magic subclass for a wizard would have to be rebuilt for a cleric. (I did this with rune magic, made two separate but similar subclasses).

But what about a standard wizard, say an enchanter, who wanted to learn blood magic, they cant multiclass into it, but you would think they could learn it? So feat path.

So I am leaning towards "styles" and "traditions" being feat paths.

But I am curious about the power levels. Obviously if you have a subclass and add a feat path, you have more power. But anybody can take say any three feats they want as they level, so thats moot. So if my feat paths for elementalists, stay in line with the power of standard feats, beginner, 4th, epic boon etc, then I should be okay.

My big question to y'all is: At what point would a feat path concept be so powerful that you would have built a subclass instead? Or are they equivalent, and should be based on wether I want then limited to a certain class (subclass) or allow anyone to commit or dabble (feat path)?

 

[Maxperson]

But anybody can take say any three feats they want as they level, so thats moot. So if my feat paths for elementalists, stay in line with the power of standard feats, beginner, 4th, epic boon etc, then I should be okay.

This. It's really easy to make the comparison between feat paths and subclasses, because they both are a progression towards a themed end. However, I think it's better to compare the individual feats taken along a feat path against other good feats the character could have taken. The difference is........theme.

My big question to y'all is: At what point would a feat path concept be so powerful that you would have built a subclass instead?

When the feats are too powerful to be feats. Subclass abilities for the most part tend to be stronger than feats.

 

[el-remmen]

My big question to y'all is: At what point would a feat path concept be so powerful that you would have built a subclass instead? Or are they equivalent, and should be based on wether I want then limited to a certain class (subclass) or allow anyone to commit or dabble (feat path)?

When you want to divorce the feat's ability from the levels at which feats are gained might be one reason.

 

[SkidAce]

When you want to divorce the feat's ability from the levels at which feats are gained might be one reason.

Did not consider that. Thanks.

 

[SkidAce]

Another thought is that the feats in a themed path need to be at least good enough to contend with choosing an ASI (as all feats should) or the feat path becomes merely a ribbon.