What Gives Feats in D&D?
Feats are a crucial aspect of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game, allowing players to enhance their characters’ abilities and grant them new powers. But what exactly gives feats in D&D? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of feats and explore the various ways they can be obtained.
Class Feats
One of the primary sources of feats is through a character’s class. Certain classes, such as fighters and rogues, have access to feats that are specific to their class. These feats are usually gained at specific levels, such as 4th, 8th, and 12th level. For example, a fighter may gain the "Combat Reflexes" feat at 4th level, allowing them to take a bonus action to make a melee attack.
Here is a table summarizing the class feats:
| Class | Feat Level |
|---|---|
| Fighter | 4th, 8th, 12th |
| Rogue | 4th, 8th, 12th |
| Paladin | 4th, 8th, 12th |
| Ranger | 4th, 8th, 12th |
Multiclass Feats
Multiclassing allows characters to combine the abilities of two or more classes. When multiclassing, characters can gain feats from both classes. For example, a fighter/ranger multiclass character may gain the "Combat Reflexes" feat from the fighter class and the "Favored Enemy" feat from the ranger class.
Here is a table summarizing the multiclass feats:
| Class 1 | Class 2 | Feat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Fighter | Rogue | 4th, 8th, 12th |
| Paladin | Ranger | 4th, 8th, 12th |
| Fighter | Paladin | 4th, 8th, 12th |
| Rogue | Ranger | 4th, 8th, 12th |
Background Feats
Backgrounds are a new feature in D&D 5th edition, allowing characters to choose a background that reflects their character’s history and personality. Some backgrounds grant feats, such as the "Criminal" background, which grants the "Cunning Action" feat.
Here is a table summarizing the background feats:
| Background | Feat |
|---|---|
| Criminal | Cunning Action |
| Noble | Skill Expert |
| Outlander | Survivalist |
Level Feats
Level feats are feats that can be taken at any level, as long as the character meets the prerequisites. These feats are usually more powerful than class feats and can be taken multiple times.
Here is a table summarizing the level feats:
| Feat | Prerequisites | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tough | None | Gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. |
| Shield Master | Shield proficiency | Gain expertise in Intimidation and Perception. |
| Healer | Medicine proficiency | Gain the ability to heal wounds. |
Retraining Feats
Retraining feats allows characters to change their feats at a later time. For example, a character may take the "Tough" feat at 1st level and then retrain it to the "Shield Master" feat at 5th level.
Here is a table summarizing the retraining feats:
| Feat | Prerequisites | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tough | None | Gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. |
| Shield Master | Shield proficiency | Gain expertise in Intimidation and Perception. |
| Healer | Medicine proficiency | Gain the ability to heal wounds. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, feats in D&D can be obtained through a character’s class, multiclassing, backgrounds, level feats, and retraining. Each of these sources provides a unique set of feats that can enhance a character’s abilities and grant them new powers. By understanding how feats are obtained, players can make informed decisions about their character’s development and create a more engaging and immersive gaming experience.