Is the Resilient Feat Good? A Comprehensive Guide
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Absolutely! The Resilient feat is not just good; it’s often considered excellent, especially for certain classes and builds in D&D 5th Edition. Its value stems from a powerful combination of an Ability Score Increase (ASI) and a crucial Saving Throw proficiency. In short, Resilient provides much-needed survivability and consistency, making it a frequent choice among players aiming for optimized characters.
Understanding the Resilient Feat
The Resilient feat allows you to increase one ability score of your choice by 1 and also gives you proficiency in saving throws using that same ability score. This dual benefit makes it exceptionally versatile. Unlike many feats that focus on a specific aspect of gameplay, Resilient enhances both your raw stats and your defensive capabilities. It’s this flexibility that makes it shine.
Why is Resilient so Effective?
- Saving Throw Proficiency: This is the core of what makes Resilient so valuable. Saving throws are how characters avoid negative effects from spells, traps, poisons, and more. Having proficiency means you add your proficiency bonus to that saving throw, significantly improving your chances of success.
- Ability Score Increase: The +1 to an ability score isn’t just a nice bonus; it’s a crucial stepping stone to reaching higher stat bonuses. This is particularly useful for rounding out an odd ability score, which will increase the stat modifier.
- Versatility: The ability to choose any ability score makes Resilient adaptable to nearly any character class. You can address weaknesses or reinforce strengths.
When Should You Take Resilient?
The best time to take the Resilient feat depends on your character and their role:
- Spellcasters Focusing on Concentration: Concentration spells are essential for many casters. Taking Resilient (CON) is often considered essential. Concentration checks are Constitution saving throws, and losing concentration due to damage can devastate your plans. Resilient (CON) is an incredible pick, especially at lower levels.
- Martial Characters with Low Saving Throws: Warriors, rogues, and other martials can often lack proficiency in crucial saving throws. Resilient can patch up your vulnerabilities, making you much more resilient against spells and effects that could otherwise take you out of the fight.
- Characters with an Odd Score: For any character that has a odd number in their main stat, taking a half feat can push their modifier up to a better number.
- Late-Game Power-Ups: Even later in the campaign, having an additional saving throw proficiency in Dexterity, Wisdom, or Constitution (the three most common saving throws) will enhance your character’s survivability.
Resilient vs. War Caster
A common question is whether Warcaster or Resilient (CON) is superior. Warcaster gives you advantage on concentration saving throws, which is strong, and you can also perform spells as attacks of opportunity. Resilient (CON) gives you proficiency and a +1 to your Constitution. The truth is, they both excel in specific scenarios.
- Early Game: Resilient (CON) tends to be more impactful early on due to the flat proficiency bonus often outweighing advantage. Advantage can be weaker at lower levels if you have a low bonus on the saving throw.
- Later Game: Warcaster tends to pull ahead later on as the proficiency bonus is less substantial as the proficiency and stats increase. Additionally, if you have multiple spells that require concentration advantage is better.
However, it’s generally agreed that for the vast majority of characters Resilient will be a better initial choice.
How the Half-Feat Aspect Works
The Resilient feat is also considered a half-feat. This means it grants a +1 to an ability score, which is a similar benefit as you would get from an Ability Score Improvement. It is not the same as a ASI, however. The fact that Resilient is a half-feat makes it a fantastic pick because it lets you fix those odd-numbered stats that you may have.
Limitations and Considerations
- Can Only Take Once: You can only take the Resilient feat once for each character. This means you cannot take Resilient in Constitution, then take it again for Wisdom for example.
- Choose Wisely: Because you can only take it once, you need to think strategically when picking your saving throw. You cannot choose what saving throw you get proficiency in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Resilient a Half Feat?
Yes, Resilient is a half-feat. It gives a +1 to an ability score and provides proficiency in saving throws for the same ability score.
2. Can You Take Resilient More Than Once?
No, you cannot take the Resilient feat more than once on the same character.
3. What is the Most Common Saving Throw in 5e?
Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution saves are the most common in 5e, with Constitution saves often being used more than other saving throws because of the number of monsters with venomous attacks.
4. What is a Successful Saving Throw in D&D?
A successful saving throw requires a roll equal to or greater than the Difficulty Class (DC) of the effect.
5. Can You Critically Fail a Saving Throw?
No, saving throws do not have critical successes or critical failures.
6. Can You Take Two Half-Feats Instead of One Feat?
Yes, you can take two half-feats when you would normally gain one feat, but you do not gain the associated ASI for doing so. This counts as taking both feats for the purposes of only being able to take each feat once.
7. Can You Stack the Tough Feat?
No, the Tough feat cannot be taken multiple times.
8. Can You Take the Eldritch Adept Feat More Than Once?
No, you can only take a feat once unless specifically stated otherwise in the feat’s description.
9. Why Is it Called Resilient?
The term “resilient” means the ability to recover from damage or adversity, reflecting the feat’s ability to enhance a character’s survival.
10. Does Green Flame Blade Work with War Caster?
Green Flame Blade will work with War Caster if you don’t attack a secondary target with it.
11. Is War Caster Worth It?
Warcaster is a strong feat that allows spellcasters to have advantage on concentration saves. It is very useful for casters.
12. Is Tough Better than +2 Con?
Tough is better for pure hit point increases, while +2 Con provides benefits to your hit points, saving throws, and healing.
13. Does Tough Apply to Wild Shape?
No, the hit points gained from the Tough feat does not apply to wild shape forms.
14. Does a Natural 1 Always Fail a Saving Throw?
No, a natural 1 on a saving throw is not an automatic fail.
15. Can You Willingly Fail a Death Saving Throw?
No, you cannot willingly fail a death saving throw. You must roll and take the result.
Conclusion
The Resilient feat is a cornerstone for character optimization in D&D 5e. Its versatility, ability to fix weaknesses, and increase your stats make it a fantastic choice for many characters. Whether you’re a concentration-dependent spellcaster or a martial character looking to bolster your defenses, Resilient is a feat well worth considering. Just choose your ability score wisely, and enjoy the enhanced survivability it brings to the table.