D&D (2024) Using general Feats when your ability is already 20

[ECMO3]

Can you still use a feat when your ability score is already 20 in the ability you want to take the feat in?

One of the PCs (Warlock) in a game I am DM for started with a 20 Charisma at level 1. They just turned level 4 and he wants to take the Telekenetic feat, but he can't take a Charisma boost. His Intelligence and Wisdom are 5 and 12 respectively, so he does not want to use it on those either and get an poor save DC. He said he also plans to take either Fey Touched or Actor at level 8, so it will be a problem again.

What is appropriate here RAW and RAI? I am thinking let him take the feat on Charisma, so his DC uses Charisma, but the score stays at 20.

Thoughts?

 

[aco175]

I would not have a problem with taking the feat and just missing out of the ability boost.

Some might think the problem is having the 20 in a stat at first level. The game is not designed that way and using the standard array prevents this, and allows for growth to the 20 stat over levels 4 and 8. I do not have a big problem with more above average than already above average, but this should just mean that you might suffer later like with these feats.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think the wording is clear. “Your Charisma score increases by 1, to a maximum of 20.” Nothing about it says you can’t take the feat, you just miss out on the increase, since you’re already at the maximum of 20.

 

[mellored]

Yes. Nothing stops it.
You just don't get the increase.

 

[Li Shenron]

What is appropriate here RAW and RAI? I am thinking let him take the feat on Charisma, so his DC uses Charisma, but the score stays at 20.

I think that is both RAW and RAI.

By RAW, nothing stops a character from taking a feat that grants a benefit they already have. And by RAW, the score limit still applies.

By RAI, the player wanted to max out a score already at level 1, and dumped some other score in the process. The game allows them to do that, but then they're maxed out and may waste some benefit later on. They could have accepted something less than max at level 1, and strategically look ahead to future levels so that they would not waste anything.

It's also RAF if you want (obviously not so much for him), if you tell him that this is very appropriate for his Intelligence 5 character.

 

[Clint_L]

Some might think the problem is having the 20 in a stat at first level. The game is not designed that way and using the standard array prevents this, and allows for growth to the 20 stat over levels 4 and 8.

I don't allow stats higher than 17 at 1st level for just this reason.

 

[Horwath]

I would just allow +1 to any score.
whatever +1 is, it's not in primary anymore so it does not matter that much.

 

[TwoSix]

I would just allow +1 to any score.
whatever +1 is, it's not in primary anymore so it does not matter that much.

Yea, I’d just let the stat boost go to one of the other stats, but keep the save DC on Charisma. This is a super niche use case anyway.

 

[Horwath]

Yea, I’d just let the stat boost go to one of the other stats, but keep the save DC on Charisma. This is a super niche use case anyway.

other option.

take two feats without the ASI together.

 

[AlViking]

As a house rule I'd allow a +1 in another ability score as long as it doesn't go above 20.