D&D 5E Subclass feature vs. feat -- Which is "worth" more?

[ezo]

First, this is for 2014 5E (hence the D&D 5E prefix), not for 2024 5E.

Broad question: Is a subclass feature award(s) gained at the subclass levels worth more or less than a Feat?

So, lots of ways to look at this. Certain subclass features are awesome, some suck. Same with feats generally. Therefore, this is not an in-depth examination of all possible combinations, etc. it is more of a "go with your gut and first reaction" if you want to vote.

By "worth" more is also a bit subjective, "worth more" == more powerful? more important to theme? more fun? or whatever YOU want to judge it by.

No changes. No "other" option this time. You either consider subclass features as worth more, feats as worth more, or they are about the same.

As always, thanks for voting!

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EDIT:
Given the current poll results for roughly 70% weighing subclass feature awards are worth more than feats, I was wondering if there was a ratio or balance point which would bring them on par.

For example, would subclass awards at a level be worth TWO feats? Or a feat AND a single ability score increase +1?

 

[Deset Gled]

Subclass features can be much more powerful but they can also be much weaker. Some subclasses have levels that are intentionally weak so that you have to "pay" to get to the key ability you want, or are there more for flavor. Conversely, any feat has to be at least as useful as an ability boost, or no one would take it (although I suppose there are feats no one ever takes for this reason).

So I would say that, broadly, subclass features have the potential to be worth much more, but are not always better in actual play.

 

[mellored]

The first 2 feats are better. Because you can select the best ones.

Then subclass features are better, because you already took the best feats.

 

[Horwath]

Subclass features can be much more powerful but they can also be much weaker. Some subclasses have levels that are intentionally weak so that you have to "pay" to get to the key ability you want, or are there more for flavor. Conversely, any feat has to be at least as useful as an ability boost, or no one would take it (although I suppose there are feats no one ever takes for this reason).

So I would say that, broadly, subclass features have the potential to be worth much more, but are not always better in actual play.

more or less this.

they should have made subclass features into feats with some requirements and give extra feat slots at levels 3,6,10,14,18 for all classes.

healing domain could have easily be a feat(s) for all spellcasters.

beastmaster could be "subclass" for all characters to take, same as champion, battlemaster, psi-warrior/soulknife, scout, hunter, etc...

 

[Moonmover]

Subclasses features are worth more, because you earn them less often. They also come with a higher opportunity cost; choosing your subclasses locks in what all subclasses features you will ever receive, while you are usually free to choose whichever feat you want.

more or less this.

they should have made subclass features into feats with some requirements and give extra feat slots at levels 3,6,10,14,18 for all classes.

healing domain could have easily be a feat(s) for all spellcasters.

beastmaster could be "subclass" for all characters to take, same as champion, battlemaster, psi-warrior/soulknife, scout, hunter, etc...

At that point, you have practically gotten rid of the idea of class roles.

 

[Horwath]

Subclasses features are worth more, because you earn them less often. They also come with a higher opportunity cost; choosing your subclasses locks in what all subclasses features you will ever receive, while you are usually free to choose whichever feat you want.

At that point, you have practically gotten rid of the idea of class roles.

No, but you can have sub roles that are not chained to a single class.

 

[TwoSix]

With current 5e design, subclass features are worth more generally. The difficulty in comparison is that subclass features are tied to level, thus allowing for the concept of a Tier 3 or Tier 4 subclass feature. Feats are not level gated (outside of '24 feats being restricted to 4+), thus setting a ceiling on how much power can be baked into them.

The other thing that weakens feats is that they're generalist and applicable to most characters; subclass features can empower specific features and grant larger synergies.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

Voted for subclass features being more powerful. Not all of them are, but many are and I certainly wouldn't just say "go ahead and swap that feat for a subclass feature."

For an easy apples to apples comparison, take a look at Magic Initiate vs. Eldritch Knight's spellcasting. Even at 3rd level EK has two more spells know and one more spell per day, and it only gets better as you level up.

 

[Minigiant]

Low level subclass features > Feats > high level subclass features


Low level subclass features are defining the characters so that big major choices.

Feats are heavy tweaks onto characters that already exist They typically never the show.

High level subclass features are typically just refinement or flavoring on existing aspects of the character. This is typically because neither the official designers most home brewers nor the community have a clear shared idea of what high level dungeons & dragons is. So high level subclass features tend to be very tame.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Heavily depends on the level.

Getting 2nd level spells is not as powerful as getting 3rd level spells, for instance. And getting 5th level spells is another power jump.

Feats are generally pegged to be relatively minor power bumps. A +2 to an ability score is great, but translates into a +1 to a die roll, and the biggest increase for that is a +1 to a damage roll (since +1 to a d20 is less of an impact than +1 to a d8 or a d10) or perhaps to HP (since +1/x to xd8 is even bigger than +1 to 1d8). It ain't nothin', but it also ain't much.

Meanwhile, Extra Attack by itself is basically a straight 2x for damage capability. Blows every feat out of the water.