D&D 5E Variant Humans and the Bonus Feat

[Werebat]

Is it permissible for a variant human to spend their feat to get +2 to any stat?

If so, can the +2 be applied to one of the +1 to any stat bonuses that variant humans get?

Could a variant human stack ALL of their stat bonuses this way to get +4 to any one stat?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I think the best you can do is get +2, one of your plus 1's and a feat that also gives a plus 1

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Is it permissible for a variant human to spend their feat to get +2 to any stat?

By rules as written, and rules as intended, you're not supposed to trade that feat for a +2.

However, feats are entirely optional, and you can talk to your DM if you want to do that. Since stats cap out at 20 anyway, it won't unbalance anything in the long run, and mostly makes up for rolling bad stats. If you're using point buy, and you can't buy anything higher than a 15 to start, then you will be more powerful than anyone else if you are allowed to do this.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Is it permissible for a variant human to spend their feat to get +2 to any stat?

By the rules, no.

If so, can the +2 be applied to one of the +1 to any stat bonuses that variant humans get?

Not applicable, but no.

Could a variant human stack ALL of their stat bonuses this way to get +4 to any one stat?

No.

The best a variant human can do in any stat is +2 (if you select a feat that gives +1 to a stat, it can add to the +1 to abilities), which is the best any race can do at level 1.

 

[tuxgeo]

As a side-effect of the stat-boost feats, taking one of those feats at 1st level allows a variant human to start with a 14 in their prime stat, boost it +1 as one of their roaming human +1 bonuses, and add the extra +1 they get from the stat-boosting feat to reach a starting stat of 16 without using the expensive "9 points buys you a 15 stat" option. That saves 2 point-buy points to put elsewhere. That helps your character be more well-rounded to start out with.

My thought-experiment variant Druid is currently configured to take the Observant feat at 1st level for a feat-based +1 WIS. This lets him have final stats (in descending order) of 16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 10 -- which is fine start -- and it lets him start with passive Perception of 18 and passive Investigation of 16. That's a worthy way to start IMHO. He's not going to be a combat monster; but if I had wanted to make a combat monster, I would have gone Fighter instead of Druid.

 

[Kobold Stew]

If it's Investigation you want to privilege:

Possible Druid Investigator (switch Dex and Cha if you prefer)

Str 8
Dex 14
Con 8
Int 16 (+1 Human, +1 Feat)
Wis 16 (+1 Human)
Cha 12

Feat: Observant.
Proficiency in Perception and Investigation.

Passive Perception/Investigation is 20 (10+5 feat+2 proficiency+3 abilities).

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

Possible Druid Investigator (switch Dex and Cha if you prefer)

That is a nice build. I think I'm going to steal it.