Hey everyone! First off, I just wanted to share a joke feat with the community. My players asked for a free first level feat (what?? that never happens in D&D lol), so I gave them what they asked for and created them a free first level feat they can take every time! I didn't publish it for the community because I didn't want to break the DDB Homebrew Rules and Guidelines, but I felt like sharing it in case anyone else had players that always asked, so you can help give them what they want!
My players asked for a free first level feat (what?? that never happens in D&D lol)
Actually this is a pretty common house rule these days that players can start with a free feat. In fact it's so common it's being baked into the revised rules, where a background provides a feat.
My players asked for a free first level feat (what?? that never happens in D&D lol)
Actually this is a pretty common house rule these days that players can start with a free feat. In fact it's so common it's being baked into the revised rules, where a background provides a feat.
My players asked for a free first level feat (what?? that never happens in D&D lol)
Actually this is a pretty common house rule these days that players can start with a free feat. In fact it's so common it's being baked into the revised rules, where a background provides a feat.
That said, this is a pretty funny response.
It is actually NOT a common house rule.
It actually is.
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Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
I agree, the free feat thing is getting more widespread. Several of the local places to me have DM's who allow a feat at first. Also agree that this is a truly innovative way to agree to disagree with the practice, lol.
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Not only is a common thing, it solves a few recognised problems in the game: (1) The long-standing complaints about the balance of variant human against other species; (2) the balance with the new iteration of backgrounds; and(3) it ensures an even easier transition to 5.5 (though, that transition should be pretty seamless to begin with).
Honestly, it is a fair thing to ask. It is also fair for the DM to say “no, I do not want to do that.”
But making a feat to troll your players? I would leave that game in a heartbeat—the kind of DM who starts the game by being obnoxious to their players (and not in the fun in-game way) is probably not the kind of person I would want DMing for me. And I expect many others feel the same way.
But making a feat to troll your players? I would leave that game in a heartbeat—the kind of DM who starts the game by being obnoxious to their players (and not in the fun in-game way) is probably not the kind of person I would want DMing for me. And I expect many others feel the same way.
Seems like a big overreaction. A joke not personally appealing to you doesn't mean that whoever was trying to make you laugh with it is automatically obnoxious. I suppose if you want a DM that never ever makes jokes, you'd be right to leave, but I don't think as many people are going to leave with you as you seem to think.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Seems like a big overreaction. A joke not personally appealing to you doesn't mean that whoever was trying to make you laugh with it is automatically obnoxious. I suppose if you want a DM that never ever makes jokes, you'd be right to leave, but I don't think as many people are going to leave with you as you seem to think.
I would have bolted at session zero. Don't want to give a free feat? Okay. Make it plainly obvious before I apply to your table. Post a well-researched and solid set of the DM's rules before I even commit to an interview. Like, you can say beforehand, "No free feats," or "No flying races," or no "Artificers." whatever. Just have your campaign well thought out and don't be an *******.
I like knowing what I'm getting into. If I have a solid understanding of your rules are beforehand, I'll be a better player. Surprise me later in the campaign.
But making a feat to troll your players? I would leave that game in a heartbeat—the kind of DM who starts the game by being obnoxious to their players (and not in the fun in-game way) is probably not the kind of person I would want DMing for me. And I expect many others feel the same way.
Seems like a big overreaction. A joke not personally appealing to you doesn't mean that whoever was trying to make you laugh with it is automatically obnoxious. I suppose if you want a DM that never ever makes jokes, you'd be right to leave, but I don't think as many people are going to leave with you as you seem to think.
I've had GMs who behaved like this before. Leaving is not an overreaction, the GM is signalling to you that they are going to be obnoxious, immature, and adversarial so you might as well leave then instead of wasting your time putting up with their antics.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Not only is a common thing, it solves a few recognised problems in the game: (1) The long-standing complaints about the balance of variant human against other species; (2) the balance with the new iteration of backgrounds; and(3) it ensures an even easier transition to 5.5 (though, that transition should be pretty seamless to begin with).
Honestly, it is a fair thing to act. It is also fair for the DM to say “no, I do not want to do that.”
But making a feat to troll your players? I would leave that game in a heartbeat—the kind of DM who starts the game by being obnoxious to their players (and not in the fun in-game way) is probably not the kind of person I would want DMing for me. And I expect many others feel the same way.
And as DM, I would ask you to leave the table just for asking for a feat. Asking for such a thing sets off all kinds of red flags about the type of player that feels entitled to such a thing.
And as DM, I would ask you to leave the table just for asking for a feat. Asking for such a thing sets off all kinds of red flags about the type of player that feels entitled to such a thing.
You must be fun. And I highly doubt that you're a DM for any active table.
And as DM, I would ask you to leave the table just for asking for a feat. Asking for such a thing sets off all kinds of red flags about the type of player that feels entitled to such a thing.
You must be fun. And I highly doubt that you're a DM for any active table.
A free feat at level 1 is balanced fine if every player gets one and the feat does not provide a half-ASI or access to high level spells.
Feats are a great way to further customise a character or represent a benefit from backstory that makes sense. Got two players both high elves? The feat plus tasha options allow those characters to still be mechanically unique which helps the roleplay as well.
It is a very common houserule, with it being one in all but one game I've been in for 5e.
It didn't use to be a houserule, as in 3.5 edition everybody started with a feat, and humans started with 2. This is also why so many enjoy it and ask about it - which is not a red flag at all.
The latest releases and One D&D - which again, have everyone gaining a bonus 1st level feat - indicate how popular this is and the very strong likelihood they will be going in this direction moving forward.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Also while this rule has been quite common in a lot of campaigns I've played in with multiple groups, I've noticed it's always the DM who proposes the free feat, never the players requesting it. Other times the DMs have chosen not to use the free feat either, and that's always been fine too.
Probably a stupid question but if you give everyone a feat then ban custom lineage and variant human, is that a harsh ruling?
I wouldnt call it harsh but I dont see a reason for banning them. Unless youre looking to stop some sort of feat combo in the early game which you can just tell your players not to use until a certain level.
Probably a stupid question but if you give everyone a feat then ban custom lineage and variant human, is that a harsh ruling?
Outside of the feat the variant human and custom lineage has very little else going for it. The 3.5 e rules and One D&D version were humans got both free feats, since they were lacking in other features compared to other races. In the campaign I'm in (well, on a break for reasons) my variant human was allowed their normal feat plus the free bonus one everyone gets. But, I still have less "stuff" than others. I'm no stronger than they are. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
DMs have to approve things. They can limit what feats you may start with.
People seem to have this misconception about starting feats being some super broken thing but in actuality it's really not. The only reason v.human and c.lineage see more use in "custom builds" is because starting feats provides greater customisation and flexibility than the more rigid racial features.
Since Tasha's the strongest race is Mountain Dwarf. +2 to any two scores, and a more weapon or tool proficiencies you can shake a character sheet at PLUS medium armour AND poison resistance. And a strong argument can be made that owlin or aaracokra are even stronger with their innate flying Yet a character starting with magic initiate or alert or something makes people cry? Really?
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Probably a stupid question but if you give everyone a feat then ban custom lineage and variant human, is that a harsh ruling?
NOT giving anyone a starting feat, plus banning anything from Tasha's and also banning the human variant as an potential option is simply the mark of a good DM who understands balancing PC builds. It is not too harsh at all.
I would not put too much stock in the above absolute “mark of a good DM” statement. Plenty of DMs limit abilities for any number of reasons… but it can just as easily be the mark of an incompetent DM who is bad at encounter balance. That also does not mean everyone who limits abilities is incompetent—the mark of a truly good DM is finding what works best for them and their players.
You absolutely can be a good DM who understands balancing PC builds, and who also allows things like Tasha’s and variant humans—it isn’t all that hard. Do what works for you, and don’t listen to people who try and define what a good or bad DM is in absolutist terms—those kind of folks are usually the true bad DMs.
Yeah honestly has someone who played a V-Human in a game where free feats were allowed, it was nothing broken or bad. Sure there might be a few starting combos that are a bit over the top, but any half competent DM can handle that. Same with allowing half feats at the start, it doesn't really make that big a difference.
Also what I found personally if I'm given the option, especially in the case of V-Human/C-Lineage, I just pick up something fun and flavourful that I probably wouldn't have been able to.
Hey everyone! First off, I just wanted to share a joke feat with the community. My players asked for a free first level feat (what?? that never happens in D&D lol), so I gave them what they asked for and created them a free first level feat they can take every time! I didn't publish it for the community because I didn't want to break the DDB Homebrew Rules and Guidelines, but I felt like sharing it in case anyone else had players that always asked, so you can help give them what they want!
Actually this is a pretty common house rule these days that players can start with a free feat. In fact it's so common it's being baked into the revised rules, where a background provides a feat.
That said, this is a pretty funny response.
It is actually NOT a common house rule.
It actually is.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
I agree, the free feat thing is getting more widespread. Several of the local places to me have DM's who allow a feat at first. Also agree that this is a truly innovative way to agree to disagree with the practice, lol.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Not only is a common thing, it solves a few recognised problems in the game: (1) The long-standing complaints about the balance of variant human against other species; (2) the balance with the new iteration of backgrounds; and(3) it ensures an even easier transition to 5.5 (though, that transition should be pretty seamless to begin with).
Honestly, it is a fair thing to ask. It is also fair for the DM to say “no, I do not want to do that.”
But making a feat to troll your players? I would leave that game in a heartbeat—the kind of DM who starts the game by being obnoxious to their players (and not in the fun in-game way) is probably not the kind of person I would want DMing for me. And I expect many others feel the same way.
Seems like a big overreaction. A joke not personally appealing to you doesn't mean that whoever was trying to make you laugh with it is automatically obnoxious. I suppose if you want a DM that never ever makes jokes, you'd be right to leave, but I don't think as many people are going to leave with you as you seem to think.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
I would have bolted at session zero. Don't want to give a free feat? Okay. Make it plainly obvious before I apply to your table. Post a well-researched and solid set of the DM's rules before I even commit to an interview. Like, you can say beforehand, "No free feats," or "No flying races," or no "Artificers." whatever. Just have your campaign well thought out and don't be an *******.
I like knowing what I'm getting into. If I have a solid understanding of your rules are beforehand, I'll be a better player. Surprise me later in the campaign.
Neutral Good
Characters in active campaigns:
Rowan Wood elf, 10 Circle of Stars Druid
Wyll Forest Gnome, 4 Divination Wizard
I've had GMs who behaved like this before. Leaving is not an overreaction, the GM is signalling to you that they are going to be obnoxious, immature, and adversarial so you might as well leave then instead of wasting your time putting up with their antics.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
And as DM, I would ask you to leave the table just for asking for a feat. Asking for such a thing sets off all kinds of red flags about the type of player that feels entitled to such a thing.
You must be fun. And I highly doubt that you're a DM for any active table.
Neutral Good
Characters in active campaigns:
Rowan Wood elf, 10 Circle of Stars Druid
Wyll Forest Gnome, 4 Divination Wizard
Last DM'ed a 5e game 5 days ago.
A free feat at level 1 is balanced fine if every player gets one and the feat does not provide a half-ASI or access to high level spells.
Feats are a great way to further customise a character or represent a benefit from backstory that makes sense. Got two players both high elves? The feat plus tasha options allow those characters to still be mechanically unique which helps the roleplay as well.
It is a very common houserule, with it being one in all but one game I've been in for 5e.
It didn't use to be a houserule, as in 3.5 edition everybody started with a feat, and humans started with 2. This is also why so many enjoy it and ask about it - which is not a red flag at all.
The latest releases and One D&D - which again, have everyone gaining a bonus 1st level feat - indicate how popular this is and the very strong likelihood they will be going in this direction moving forward.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Probably a stupid question but if you give everyone a feat then ban custom lineage and variant human, is that a harsh ruling?
Also while this rule has been quite common in a lot of campaigns I've played in with multiple groups, I've noticed it's always the DM who proposes the free feat, never the players requesting it. Other times the DMs have chosen not to use the free feat either, and that's always been fine too.
I wouldnt call it harsh but I dont see a reason for banning them. Unless youre looking to stop some sort of feat combo in the early game which you can just tell your players not to use until a certain level.
Outside of the feat the variant human and custom lineage has very little else going for it. The 3.5 e rules and One D&D version were humans got both free feats, since they were lacking in other features compared to other races. In the campaign I'm in (well, on a break for reasons) my variant human was allowed their normal feat plus the free bonus one everyone gets. But, I still have less "stuff" than others. I'm no stronger than they are. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
DMs have to approve things. They can limit what feats you may start with.
People seem to have this misconception about starting feats being some super broken thing but in actuality it's really not. The only reason v.human and c.lineage see more use in "custom builds" is because starting feats provides greater customisation and flexibility than the more rigid racial features.
Since Tasha's the strongest race is Mountain Dwarf. +2 to any two scores, and a more weapon or tool proficiencies you can shake a character sheet at PLUS medium armour AND poison resistance. And a strong argument can be made that owlin or aaracokra are even stronger with their innate flying Yet a character starting with magic initiate or alert or something makes people cry? Really?
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I would not put too much stock in the above absolute “mark of a good DM” statement. Plenty of DMs limit abilities for any number of reasons… but it can just as easily be the mark of an incompetent DM who is bad at encounter balance. That also does not mean everyone who limits abilities is incompetent—the mark of a truly good DM is finding what works best for them and their players.
You absolutely can be a good DM who understands balancing PC builds, and who also allows things like Tasha’s and variant humans—it isn’t all that hard. Do what works for you, and don’t listen to people who try and define what a good or bad DM is in absolutist terms—those kind of folks are usually the true bad DMs.
Yeah honestly has someone who played a V-Human in a game where free feats were allowed, it was nothing broken or bad. Sure there might be a few starting combos that are a bit over the top, but any half competent DM can handle that. Same with allowing half feats at the start, it doesn't really make that big a difference.
Also what I found personally if I'm given the option, especially in the case of V-Human/C-Lineage, I just pick up something fun and flavourful that I probably wouldn't have been able to.
I think some folks should get a grip on their character and then later on get access to Feats.
I know 1DD plans to give everybody Feats but currently only one of my game has them.
They are just another way for players to harp on others as to what an "optimal" build is. They also seem like a crutch.
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