Mastering Feats in D&D: A Comprehensive Guide

Managing feats in D&D involves understanding how they are acquired, how they interact with your character’s progression, and how you can potentially modify them. Essentially, feats are special abilities or talents that characters can choose in lieu of an Ability Score Improvement (ASI) at certain levels. In D&D 5th Edition, they offer a way to further customize and specialize a character beyond the boundaries of their class and race. Feats are typically managed within your character sheet, often in a dedicated “Feats” or “Features & Traits” section, where you can add, remove, or amend them as your character progresses, or under certain specific conditions.

How to Add and Remove Feats in D&D

The primary way to acquire feats is during level progression. Most classes allow characters to choose either an ASI or a feat at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19. This choice is a fundamental aspect of character customization.

• Adding Feats:

  • During Leveling: When you reach a level that grants an ASI, you will have the option to select a feat instead. The specific process for this depends on the platform you’re using. On D&D Beyond, for example, you’ll typically navigate to your character sheet, find the “Features & Traits” tab, then the “Feats” section, and click “Manage Feats” to add available feats.
  • Variant Human: The variant human race starts with a free feat at 1st level, giving you an immediate customization boost.
  • DM discretion: DMs might sometimes grant feats as part of a campaign, but this is not the norm and generally depends on the particular gaming group and story.

• Removing Feats:

  • Retraining: Generally, you cannot simply remove a feat once you’ve selected it, except through retraining rules, which usually involves downtime and access to another character with the feat you want to take. A character can usually remove a single feat, power, or skill and replace it with a different one through this process. The old feat cannot be one that you used to meet prerequisites for any other ability, like a feat, class feature, or archetype.
  • Class Features: Certain classes also allow for power replacements at certain levels, in addition to retraining, so a character can still swap a feat, skill, or a second power at those levels.

Key Considerations When Choosing Feats

When deciding which feats to take, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Character Build: Choose feats that synergize with your class, race, and play style. A melee fighter may benefit from Great Weapon Master or Tough, while a spellcaster might prefer War Caster or Magic Initiate.
• Prerequisites: Many feats have prerequisites, such as a certain ability score or proficiency. Ensure your character meets these before selecting a feat.
• Campaign Needs: Consider the challenges your party will face. A feat that offers utility or addresses a common threat might be more useful than one that only provides a minor combat bonus.
• Roleplaying Opportunities: Some feats offer opportunities to develop your character’s background or personality, for instance, a feat like “Actor” could open doors for more social encounters.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Feats

1. How do I access the feat management section on D&D Beyond?

On your D&D Beyond character sheet, go to the “Features & Traits” tab, then click on “Feats”. You’ll find a “Manage Feats” option that opens a side panel where you can add, remove (through retraining), and view feats.

2. When do I get feats in 5th Edition D&D?

Most classes gain feats (or ASIs) at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19. However, the variant human race begins with a feat at 1st level.

3. Is there a limit to how many feats I can have?

There is no hard limit, but the number of feats you can acquire is generally restricted by your class’s ASI progression, unless using a variant race or feats gifted by the DM. Classes like the Fighter get more ASI (which can be used for feats) than others.

4. Can I get a feat by any means other than at a level up?

Yes, but the common methods include being a variant human at level 1 or through specific DM-provided opportunities. Buying feats with gold is not a standard rule, though it could be a house rule at the DM’s discretion.

5. Can you change a feat after you have selected it?

Yes, though usually not without a retraining process. This process takes time and involves a character who possesses the feat you wish to acquire. The old feat must not be a prerequisite for any other ability, like a feat or a class feature.

6. How does retraining a feat work?

Retraining a feat usually requires 5 days of downtime with a character who has the desired feat. You will then replace your current feat with the desired new one.

7. What is the variant human and how does it relate to feats?

The variant human is a race option that starts with +1 to two ability scores, one additional skill proficiency, and one free feat at 1st level. This is a significant customization boost that makes the race quite popular for many players.

8. Why aren’t some feats showing up in D&D Beyond?

If you don’t see a feat available, it’s likely that you haven’t purchased the digital content that contains that particular feat on D&D Beyond. Only the Grappler feat is available for free; others require purchasing the appropriate rulebooks.

9. Can you take the same feat multiple times?

Generally, you can only take a feat once, unless its description specifically states otherwise. The exception is the Elemental Adept feat, which can be taken multiple times with a different damage type chosen each time.

10. Are feats the same as features?

No. Features are abilities that come with your class, race, or background, while feats are optional abilities you choose to further customize your character.

11. Can a DM give players feats?

Yes, a DM can award feats at their discretion, but this is not a standard rule and is often done to balance or enhance the story, usually within the context of a specific campaign.

12. Are feats based on your character level?

Feats are based on the character levels you gain within your class and are mostly gained when the character has to choose between an ASI and a feat. Multiclassing can affect the number of feats your character can access, depending on the split of levels.

13. Can feats raise stats above 20?

Feats can add to your Ability Scores, but they cannot increase them over 20, which is the “natural” cap for characters unless you gain an item or special effect which can temporarily raise it over 20.

14. What are some popular feats for a first-level character?

Some popular first level feats include Lucky, Alert, Magic Initiate, Skilled, and Tough. All of these offer an early boost to different aspects of your character, from utility to survivability.

15. Can I retrain skill increases gained from my background?

Yes, while you cannot retrain your entire background, the skills gained through it can be retrained by the normal rules used for changing feats.

Conclusion

Managing feats in D&D is about understanding how they interact with your character’s progression. By strategically choosing your feats, you can greatly enhance your character’s capabilities and create a more unique, personalized hero. Remember to consider how these choices affect your character’s role in the party and the overall campaign, and that these decisions, like the game itself, are meant to be enjoyable and engaging. By understanding the rules and limitations around feats, you’ll be better equipped to create a memorable D&D experience.