What feats should PCs automatically get?

[Nonlethal Force]

I think that was his point, what feats need to have a lesser non feat option available.

Well when you put it that way ....

Not a bad idea. I especially like the meta-magic "simple/stripped down" version. So for example. A wizard could research a way to scribe a fireball spell into their spellbook in such a way that the wizard has to scribe the spell using twice the necessary pages and casting the spell uses both a third and a sixth level spot. But when cast, it is maximized without the feat.

There is an example of a way to allow a player to expirament if losing a sixth level spot is worth a maximized fireball before they spend a feat on it. If they take the feat, the wizard need not waste double the pages in his spellbook and he doesn't lose the 3rd level spell in addition to the 6th level spell. So the feat is definately WAY better, but it could be done without a feat for expiramental purposes. You certainly wouldn't make a habit of doing it this way - because of the spell level loss ... but I could see doing it once or twice to see if it was worth it.

I see where this convesation is going...

 

[iwatt]

No, I was thinking give all players PA and CE and SA for free. Maybe all MetaMagic feats as well. But those ideas work well also.

This could work pretty well. You'd have to look at all feats that allow players to do something they "normally" can't, and decide what the penalties should be.

For example:

Shot on the Run removes the -4 penalty to attacks when shooting while moving.

Spring attack: Removes the -4 penalty to attacks and you don't provoke AoOs.

Improved Metamagic: Choose a Metamagic effect and reduce the Increased Spell level by 1.



I can't think up any others right now though?

 

[ThirdWizard]

Item creation feats that cost full market price to create plus normally spent xp.

Interesting.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I think it would be good if some feats had weaker options that anybody could do.

 

[Nifft]

Here's my Power Attack Combat Option:

When using any two-handed weapon, you may trade power for accuracy. Subtract 1 from your attack roll and add 1 to damage, up to your BAB.

Improved Power Attack: You may use the Power Attack option with any one-handed weapon, and when you Power Attack with a two-handed weapon you gain +2 damage per -1 attack.

-- N

 

[OptionalRule]

I've considered giving everyone the Combat Expertise Feat for free because it just doesn't make sense to me that people are trained to attack but not defend themselves. Since the benefit is tied to your BaB it's already balanced for each class as far as the ability itself goes. The only reason I haven't done this is CE is a big "gateway" feat and I have been on the fence about how eliminating one step in the CE line for everyone would effect the game.

 

[genshou]

I've always HR'd Fighting Defensively so that you may subtract any amount up to -6 from your attack rolls in order to gain a +3 Dodge bonus to AC. Perhaps you could do the same with a "free" Power Attack: -2 attack per +1 damage bonus; maximum +4. That way the feat has a better trade value and a higher maximum, making it still something a player will want to choose. No defense-oriented warrior PC is ever going to use Fight Defensively when they could just use Combat Expertise. It's a waste of penalties.

 

[genshou]

As for giving other feats away, I wouldn't. If you have a problem with some things that seem counter-intuitive to make as feats, just give away more feats. See recent threads about giving a feat at every level