D&D (2024) How do we feel about 2024 Feats? (Origin vs Others)

[Xeviat]

What's everybody's feeling on 2024 feats? Do they feel balanced against each other? Are Origin feats "worth as much as" later feats, meaning would you spend a level 4 or higher feat picking up another Origin feat?

Similarly, do the fighting style feats feel like they're on the same level as actual feats. Would you ever pick up a fighting style feat with one of your ASIs? In the olden days, +2 damage was a feat, but now a feat is worth +2 to an ability score (typically +1 to hit/damage/dcs, +1 checks, and +1 saves)? +2 Dex is +1 AC for a lot of people, so is Defense Style worth a whole feat?

 

[DrJawaPhD]

My opinions:

• Origin feats are generally much weaker than General feats, which totally makes sense since they're available at Level 1
• General Feats are much better balanced than in 2014 but there's still plenty of variation in power to fuel a million Tier List videos
• Fighting Style Feats are always going to be a terrible idea over taking a General Feat or ASI. There could've been cases where they are worth it for classes that don't get a Fighting Style... except already having a Fighting Style is required to take another one

 

[Maxperson]

My opinions:

• Origin feats are generally much weaker than General feats, which totally makes sense since they're available at Level 1
• General Feats are much better balanced than in 2014 but there's still plenty of variation in power to fuel a million Tier List videos
• Fighting Style Feats are always going to be a terrible idea over taking a General Feat or ASI. There could've been cases where they are worth it for classes that don't get a Fighting Style... except already having a Fighting Style is required to take another one

A simple fix would be to just remove the fighting style requirement in your game.

 

[Sulicius]

I gave them a good read two days ago, and I think they have done a great job tidying up and balancing all the feats.

Sure, there will still be feats that break the charts because of some min-maxing build, but that’s just how things will always be.

The +1 to an ability score is a huge power increase to characters, and I as a DM I am worried.

The old monsters were already too weak to pose a challenge to players, and now monsters will need to be scaled even more to catch up.

I am very concerned that WotC won’t be interested more in making players feel good, than giving DM’s tools to actually make a BBEG last more than two rounds.

 

[Horwath]

origin feats are normal feats without +1 ASI

give them +1 ASI for taking them at levels 4+

4th level feats can be made origin feat by removing their +1 ASI
(whole category of origin feats was made so new players are not "overwhelmed with options" or whatever condescending term WotC think up that month)

all "full" feats from Tasha's can now be modifier with +1 ASI and taken as 4th+ level feat. or origin without +1 ASI.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Sure, there will still be feats that break the charts because of some min-maxing build, but that’s just how things will always be.

This is what I think they did the best job at. The strongest feats were reined in and there is a wider array of feats that could be considered top tier depending on the build. What they didn't entirely fix is that there are still a handful of crappy useless feats (much less than before though)

I am very concerned that WotC won’t be interested more in making players feel good, than giving DM’s tools to actually make a BBEG last more than two rounds.

You always have all the tools needs to make the BBEG last as many rounds as you want. Just add more monsters, more HP, more damage, more special abilities, you're the DM you can add more of whatever you want.

 

[Horwath]

This is what I think they did the best job at. The strongest feats were reined in and there is a wider array of feats that could be considered top tier depending on the build. What they didn't entirely fix is that there are still a handful of crappy useless feats (much less than before though)


You always have all the tools needs to make the BBEG last as many rounds as you want. Just add more monsters, more HP, more damage, more special abilities, you're the DM you can add more of whatever you want.

this.

I mean, after 2 or 3 fights you can determine what power level PCs are, and only you as a DM determine the HP and damage of monsters.

players think that if you give them more feats/features they get something extra, but actually they get nothing and think they got something.
And everyone is happy.

 

[Kobold Stew]

What's everybody's feeling on 2024 feats? Do they feel balanced against each other?

There are better and worse, but they all are viable, except (in my opinion) Savage Attacker, which I don't see ever taking.

Crafter is an odd duck because the benefit is a purchasing power one. Do Diamonds as spell components get the discount? If so, it's a valuable feat. Otherwise no.

Are Origin feats "worth as much as" later feats, meaning would you spend a level 4 or higher feat picking up another Origin feat?

I think it would be rare to choose a second origin feat at level 4+, but I can absolutely see choosing to play Human to get a second one, and if a Warlock, to choose Lessons of the First Ones.

Similarly, do the fighting style feats feel like they're on the same level as actual feats. Would you ever pick up a fighting style feat with one of your ASIs?

Using just the PHB, you're not allowed to. If you allow the feat from Tasha's, then it becomes available. It's not one I think I would normally choose, but only because I want the ASI.

the Fighting feats are all functionally weaker than the level 4+ feats, but for the right build, or if multiclassing weren't on the table for some reason (player choice or DM fiat), then I might ask to have the Tasha's feat re-instated (but without a +1 ASI, i.e. as written).


**

One thing that I believe, but I know I'm in a minority: they've been pretty thoughtful about which feats go with which backgrounds, which make choosing the background very significant, and make achieving some builds less easy. We'll see what the custom rules for backgrounds are pretty soon, but whatever they are, I hope they don't just let people pick-and-mix. That would essentially throw out what's in the PHB, and there's some interesting synergies (and some dissonances) that I think are worth exploring.

 

[Horwath]

There are better and worse, but they all are viable, except (in my opinion) Savage Attacker, which I don't see ever taking.

I do not know how to salvage Savage attacker so it does not get overpowered in the process.
+1 damage to all attacks, +2 with heavy weapons?

just simplify

Crafter is an odd duck because the benefit is a purchasing power one. Do Diamonds as spell components get the discount? If so, it's a valuable feat. Otherwise no.

how often does that come into question? if people are dying left and right, then it's a great feat, otherwise, really weak.

I think it would be rare to choose a second origin feat at level 4+, but I can absolutely see choosing to play Human to get a second one, and if a Warlock, to choose Lessons of the First Ones.

human got +1 ASI over variant in 2014 so that is why it is limited to origin feat.

Using just the PHB, you're not allowed to. If you allow the feat from Tasha's, then it becomes available. It's not one I think I would normally choose, but only because I want the ASI.

the Fighting feats are all functionally weaker than the level 4+ feats, but for the right build, or if multiclassing weren't on the table for some reason (player choice or DM fiat), then I might ask to have the Tasha's feat re-instated (but without a +1 ASI, i.e. as written).

no fighting style is worth losing +2 to primary abiltiy, yes, not even archery.
and most are not worth +1 ASI, yes, looking at your GWF and that one that got you extra maneuver and one extra dice.

**

One thing that I believe, but I know I'm in a minority: they've been pretty thoughtful about which feats go with which backgrounds, which make choosing the background very significant, and make achieving some builds less easy. We'll see what the custom rules for backgrounds are pretty soon, but whatever they are, I hope they don't just let people pick-and-mix. That would essentially throw out what's in the PHB, and there's some interesting synergies (and some dissonances) that I think are worth exploring.

backgrounds in 2024 are so bad and people will pick one that has nothing with their backstory just for combination of ASIs and a feat.


"those pages need to be ripped out and burned at the altar of glory for custom background."


Give back backgrounds that give flavor and RP ideas for character creation and leave mechanics out of it.

 

[Sulicius]

This is what I think they did the best job at. The strongest feats were reined in and there is a wider array of feats that could be considered top tier depending on the build. What they didn't entirely fix is that there are still a handful of crappy useless feats (much less than before though)


You always have all the tools needs to make the BBEG last as many rounds as you want. Just add more monsters, more HP, more damage, more special abilities, you're the DM you can add more of whatever you want.

That’s true! I just wish that new DM’s don’t have to learn it the hard way like I did.