Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Lobo316 Nov 13, 2014 20:55:05	Question for some of you who will definately have more experience than myself on the 5e rules.  Do you use any different method for deploying feats?  Do you stick to the RAW?  How much effect do you think the feats would have if you just decided to give out one feat every 4 levels, without the player giving up thier Ability Score Improvement Feature?   I'm really digging the new rules, and don't want to knock anything out of balance, so just wanted to toss the thought out there, see if anyone is doing anything different with regards to how often feats are given.    I have thought about just allowing the selection of one feat at first level, then go by the RAW on selecting further feats.   Thoughts?
#2 mellored Nov 13, 2014 20:59:41	Giving both would make characters more powerful. It wouldn't destroy the game, but you'll need to add some extra monsters to compinate.
(Reply to #2) Lobo316	mellored wrote:
(Reply to #3) cowleymen	Lobo316 wrote:
#5 AaronOfBarbaria Nov 14, 2014 5:10:29	Here's an illustrative example of what this change does at its most influence (that I can think of) application:   Human Fighter at level 1: Strength 16, Dexterity 13, Constitution 15, Int 9, Wisdom 14, Charisma 11, no feats. Human Fighter at level 20, gaining normal ability score increases and a feat every 4 levels: Strength 20, Dexterity 14, Constitution 20, Int 10, Wisdom 18, Charisma 11 Resilience: Wisdom, Great Weapon Master, Heavy Armor Master, Durable, and Tough.   Human Fighter at level 20 with the normal rules: Strength 20, Dexterity 13, Constitution 16, Int 9, Wisdom 16, Charisma 11, Resilience: Wisdom, Great Weapon Master, Heavy Armor Master.   That's not necessarily using abiltiy improvements or feats to maximum effect, but as you can see there is a noticable difference which, unless your goal is simply to skew the odds more in favor of the PCs than they already are, should be accounted for (though by "accounted for" I mean either do just give the PCs a boost and do nothing to try to compensate or counter-balance it, or don't do anything because counter-balancing a rules change is the same effect as not even making a rules change and takes less effort/time).
#6 Timborama Nov 14, 2014 5:28:39	Yeah, this Variant needs to keep Humans, Fighters, and Rogues into account, since they don't gain feats at the "normal" pace. Otherwise you either accidentally nerf them or accidentally make them too powerful.   I like the option of doing what the OP says, but maybe offering up fun feats to choose from. I know it's a limited selection now, but it'll grow. By fun feats I mean things like Observant, Linguist, Actor, stuff like that. As a base-line, you could maybe say that any feat that adds +1 to a stat you can get for free every 4 Character Levels, and you gain the feat without the +1 stat (I would also go further and say "Resilience" isn't an option, myself)   Maybe try that on for size, OP? You basically give "lesser-used" feats a chance, but present them as half-feats so as to not accidentally break your game!
#7 mellored Nov 14, 2014 5:37:53	Timborama wrote:
(Reply to #7) Lobo316	OK, after reading some of the feedback, what would you all think about this....toss the every 4 level thing out the window.  Just start every player off with one bonus, non-combat feat at level one.  Would that "overpower" humans?  Or would it allow a little "character variety" at 1st level without overly affecting the mechanics?
#9 mellored Nov 14, 2014 7:33:55	Lobo316 wrote:
#10 Lobo316 Nov 14, 2014 9:08:23	mellored wrote:
#11 mellored Nov 14, 2014 9:44:32	Lobo316 wrote:
#12 CahPahkah Nov 14, 2014 9:59:42	It might also be worth considering that allowing non-humans to take feats at first level opens up starting with 18s for ability scores (if you're using point-buy), which isn't otherwise possible.   It's not game-breaking by any stretch, but even the "non-combat" feats like Actor or Athlete or Observant will manifest at level one as +1 to hit / +1 to damage for lots of classes.
(Reply to #12) FrogReaver	CahPahkah wrote:
#14 Timborama Nov 14, 2014 10:10:55	15 Base+2 Racial+1 Feat=18
#15 MasterVelles Nov 18, 2014 12:26:38	I use feats as RAW. I've run a few different games now and giving out too many feats or feats too early is FAR too powerful for the challenge ratings. The only way I give out bonus feats is in the form of an epic quest reward from a diety, or through attuning to a magical item. Like an amulet that grants the benefits of the Durable Feat, or a Ring of Intelligence granting the Resilient Feat for the Intelligence stat.   I also mostly use my own custom magic items, I find most written ones to be rather mundane. Also worth noting that using my system, I rarely give out magic items, maybe one every 3rd or 4th completed adventure.
#16 cowleymen Nov 18, 2014 16:17:53	little off topic, but i think its interesting that the variant is so much more popular then standard. Then again, its mostly for combat feats with min/maxers that the human rates so high. I do think that a few of the combat feats are extremly powerful.
#17 Drycanth Nov 18, 2014 16:30:41	just have them roll 5d6 for stats and pick the best 3 then use only feats. You will have already high stat characters and not need the constant addition to stats
#18 cowleymen Nov 18, 2014 18:43:26	Drycanth wrote:
#19 Saelorn Nov 19, 2014 10:26:38	With the 20-cap on ability scores, letting everyone take feats and ability boosts is not balance-wise much different than if someone just rolled really well for stats.
#20 intently Nov 19, 2014 11:12:03	cowleymen wrote: