Feat Pre-Requisite question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feat Pre-Requisite question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tyfudd
05-06-07, 12:57 AM Hello, This might sound like a stupid question, but I'm DM a game with a character who's made a 2nd level rogue, 4th level fighter.

Here's the problem he has:

He wants to get the Imp Two Weapon Fighting feat, but the pre-req states you need a +6 base attack bonus. As a 2/4 rogue/fighter, he's only got a +5 at the moment. He wants to purchase the feat ahead of time, at 6th, as when he hits 7th, and gains a +6 base attack bonus, the feat will "Activate" for him.

My understanding is that you need to meet the pre-requisites for a feat at the time you purchase the feat, and that you cannot purchase a feat ahead of time and have it activate when the necessary pre-reqs have been met. In this way, the lower attack bonus for taking the rogue levels balances things out and you're behind where a pure fighter would be on purchasing points.

His understanding is that it is not explicitly said in the rules that you cannot purchase ahead, and there's one rule stating that if you have a feat already purchased, and you lose a level, or gain an ability drain, you do not lose the ability to use that feat.

And as such, we are at an impass.

Could anyone give me a difinitive answer that I can go back to him with, and let him know he can or cannot take the feat at this time? Thanks! :)
Vharuck
05-06-07, 01:10 AM From the SRD (http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/Feats.rtf):

Some feats have prerequisites. Your character must have the indicated ability score, class feature, feat, skill, base attack bonus, or other quality designated in order to select or use that feat. A character can gain a feat at the same level at which he or she gains the prerequisite.
A character can’t use a feat if he or she has lost a prerequisite.

Bold mine. If you do not meet the prerequisites, you can't even select the feat.
Tevin Kevlak
05-06-07, 01:15 AM It's a no go for him purchasing the feat at that level. If you don't meet the prereqs you can't pick the feat, it's as simple as that.

Now, it might not be too much of an imbalance to the game to just let him take the feat and only use it when he meets the prereqs because A) he will go through an entire level without a feat while the rest of the group benefits from theirs and B) he's still not getting the feat before he can actually qualify for it. That being said, it is really your decision since the rules clearly state that he could not take the feat until he has a B.A.B. of +6.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tyfudd 05-06-07, 12:57 AM	Hello, This might sound like a stupid question, but I'm DM a game with a character who's made a 2nd level rogue, 4th level fighter. Here's the problem he has: He wants to get the Imp Two Weapon Fighting feat, but the pre-req states you need a +6 base attack bonus. As a 2/4 rogue/fighter, he's only got a +5 at the moment. He wants to purchase the feat ahead of time, at 6th, as when he hits 7th, and gains a +6 base attack bonus, the feat will "Activate" for him. My understanding is that you need to meet the pre-requisites for a feat at the time you purchase the feat, and that you cannot purchase a feat ahead of time and have it activate when the necessary pre-reqs have been met. In this way, the lower attack bonus for taking the rogue levels balances things out and you're behind where a pure fighter would be on purchasing points. His understanding is that it is not explicitly said in the rules that you cannot purchase ahead, and there's one rule stating that if you have a feat already purchased, and you lose a level, or gain an ability drain, you do not lose the ability to use that feat. And as such, we are at an impass. Could anyone give me a difinitive answer that I can go back to him with, and let him know he can or cannot take the feat at this time? Thanks! :)
Vharuck 05-06-07, 01:10 AM	From the SRD (http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/Feats.rtf): Some feats have prerequisites. Your character must have the indicated ability score, class feature, feat, skill, base attack bonus, or other quality designated in order to select or use that feat. A character can gain a feat at the same level at which he or she gains the prerequisite. A character can’t use a feat if he or she has lost a prerequisite. Bold mine. If you do not meet the prerequisites, you can't even select the feat.
Tevin Kevlak 05-06-07, 01:15 AM	It's a no go for him purchasing the feat at that level. If you don't meet the prereqs you can't pick the feat, it's as simple as that. Now, it might not be too much of an imbalance to the game to just let him take the feat and only use it when he meets the prereqs because A) he will go through an entire level without a feat while the rest of the group benefits from theirs and B) he's still not getting the feat before he can actually qualify for it. That being said, it is really your decision since the rules clearly state that he could not take the feat until he has a B.A.B. of +6.