Unearthed Arcana WOTC still can't get the backgrounds right in the new FR book.

[ECMO3]

The new Background system is as screwed up as ever.

Best example - Dragon Cultist Background which boosts Dexterity, Constitution and Intelligence and includes the Cult of the Dragon Initiate Origin Feat and of course that feat's main ability keys off Wisdom (and only Wisdom).

This pretty much ensures that anyone who wants the Cult of the Dragon origin feat will never play with a Dragon Cultist Background .... and conversely that anyone who wants to make a character with a backstory in the Cult of the Dragon will pick a different background with a feat better aligned to the bonuses.

 

[bedir than]

The new Background system is as screwed up as ever.

Best example - Dragon Cultist Background which boosts Dexterity, Constitution and Intelligence and includes the Cult of the Dragon Initiate Origin Feat and of course that feat's main ability keys off Wisdom (and only Wisdom).

This pretty much ensures that anyone who wants the Cult of the Dragon origin feat will never play with a Dragon Cultist Background .... and conversely that anyone who wants to make a character with a backstory in the Cult of the Dragon will pick a different background with a feat better aligned to the bonuses.

Why is the assumption that 100% optimize for stats rather than optimize for story?

 

[Distracted DM]

The new Background system is as screwed up as ever.

Best example - Dragon Cultist Background which boosts Dexterity, Constitution and Intelligence and includes the Cult of the Dragon Initiate Origin Feat and of course that feat's main ability keys off Wisdom (and only Wisdom).

This pretty much ensures that anyone who wants the Cult of the Dragon origin feat will never play with a Dragon Cultist Background .... and conversely that anyone who wants to make a character with a backstory in the Cult of the Dragon will pick a different background with a feat better aligned to the bonuses.

Spoiler: The relevant origin feat features

Dragon’s Terror. You can take a Magic action to instill terror in a creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 plus your Wisdom modifier and Proficiency Bonus) or have the Frightened condition until the end of your next turn. If the target succeeds on the save or when the effect ends for a target, the target is immune to this effect for 24 hours.

Inspired by Fear. When you cause a creature to have the Frightened condition and you are the source of its fear, you can gain Heroic Inspiration if you lack it. Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.

It seems to be a way of getting Inspiration fairly reliably.. I'll say that I'm a little surprised it isn't based off of Charisma, but I guess Wisdom is a cleric stat and you're a cultist, so..

 

[Horwath]

Why is the assumption that 100% optimize for stats rather than optimize for story?

you optimize 100% for stats and balance and story will come by it self.

Story does not need optimization and balance, mechanics needs it.

as for background, it should have been from the start.

pick ability bonuses, either +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1
pick 2 skills
pick 1 feat for 1st level.
pick one tool, language or a weapon.

all printed background can only be guidelines for new players. If they even need it.

 

[ECMO3]

Why is the assumption that 100% optimize for stats rather than optimize for story?

Because they make the stat bonuses part of the background. If the background was only about story (like it was in 2014) it would not be an issue.

 

[ECMO3]

It seems to be a way of getting Inspiration fairly reliably.. I'll say that I'm a little surprised it isn't based off of Charisma, but I guess Wisdom is a cleric stat and you're a cultist, so..

Well if your save is weak they are not going to often get Frightened.

I don't get why it isn't "choose Wisdom, Charisma or Intelligence" like almost all of the other feats.

 

[Older Beholder]

It's only an issue if you think the most default option should give the highest bonus.

 

[Necropolitan]

The Cult of the Dragon is a dragon cult based on at least one massive lie where leadership depends on the ability to inspire awe and fear in followers just as much as personal power.

It should be Charisma-based.

 

[DEFCON 1]

If it matters that much, then change it for your game. And don't worry... we'll all keep quiet about it.

 

[bedir than]

you optimize 100% for stats and balance and story will come by it self.

The claim was made that 0% will be willing to not have an unoptimized Dragon Cultist because of the stat discrepancy. This is an insistence that NO story can be unoptimized.

When in fact, almost every story is unoptimized, because stories are more powerful when they connect to the nature of humanity. That nature means we are good at some things, bad at others, and frequently humans enjoy doing things that they aren't particularly good at -- see every amatuer adult sports league, wine-and-painting nights, etc.