One of my player has a level 9 champion fighter: stealth wood elf, Archery + TWF (both aren't overwhelming) and Point Buy Stats. They would very much like to have the Unarmed + Grappler feats but they can't fit those in their current build without letting go of either Archery, or TWF. Honestly... I don't think I'll break my games if I just give them that. Their character is pretty much a Solid Snake and they've played like that since level 1.
I'd personally say no. Fighters already get access to more Feats and more ASI than any other class (it's part of their gimmick) and giving them two free feats without doing the same for everyone else is essentially giving them two extra level ups
Honestly, I tend to operate tables where players get treated equally. So, if one player wants something and I agree, every player gets that thing. However, players also tend to be aware that the more stuff they get, the enemies are more likely to be more challenging to match their power levels. I say this so that you know this is the bias that I have.
My approach would be to say - yeah, if you want two new feats then that's okay. There are two caveats though.
1. Every other player gets two new feats. 2. The enemies you face will likely be greater in number, or greater in strength than they might normally be.
I might also throw in that adventuring days become longer - i.e. an additional encounter between long rests if the feats increase resources (at will spells or suchlike).
It is your table's game to have fun at so ultimately it'll be what fits into your table's style. I would only caution giving something to one player something that the others don't get.
Not sure what ASI/Feat was chosen at level 8, but allow that one to swapped.
Now he wants one more feat. Is TWF two weapon or thrown weapon? TwoWF & unarmed boost can allow some nice secondary damage. "See Monks". He will soon get another attack as well.
To be honest, let him swap out a fighting style. I was looking at the options, even getting the 12th Level ASI/Feat early, but keep coming back to let him swap a fighting style.
Whenever a fighter gains a fighter level, they can swap out the fighting style they chose at lv1 for a different one. Thought it might be worth noting.
A 9th level champion fighter has 3 ASIs; he could easily have taken those feats on prior level-ups if there were that essential to his concept. That said, fighting style feats are a bit weak (particularly if this is a 2014 campaign) and stacking different attacking fighting style feats is really weak, so I can see making some tweaks.
A 9th level champion fighter has 3 ASIs; he could easily have taken those feats on prior level-ups if there were that essential to his concept. That said, fighting style feats are a bit weak (particularly if this is a 2014 campaign) and stacking different attacking fighting style feats is really weak, so I can see making some tweaks.
Just curious, as the calendar is now 2026, why would your default assumption be 2014 rules vice 2024? Without any indication by the original poster, yes it could be 2014, but could also be 2024. Just want to understand why this is the older assumption vice the more recent?
Thank you everyone for your advice. I'll answer: No. It seems opens the door to "too much trouble".
That being said, I'll sit with the player and see how we can rework their character. I will allow some "resonable" measure of respec. It's not for me to choose, but it seems like the player would be better with multiclassing to rogue at level 9 than getting an extra fighter level. That won't give them unarmed, but it'll give them an extra d6 per round, (they always have advantage somehow), another skill, expertise, 2 more weapon mastery. And I think they can use their Two Weapon Fighting "better". Might "offset" for "wanting more useless features".
And, I will allow re-working ASIs. I don't mind.
And to answer questions: It's a 2024 ruleset campaign. TWF = Two Weapon Fighting (sorry, I didn't think about Thrown Weapon Fighting).
> A 9th level champion fighter has 3 ASIs; he could easily have taken those feats on prior level-ups if there were that essential to his concept. True, but a character concept evolves as the player adventure the world through them :)
Thank you everyone for your advice. I'll answer: No. It seems opens the door to "too much trouble".
That being said, I'll sit with the player and see how we can rework their character. I will allow some "resonable" measure of respec. It's not for me to choose, but it seems like the player would be better with multiclassing to rogue at level 9 than getting an extra fighter level. That won't give them unarmed, but it'll give them an extra d6 per round, (they always have advantage somehow), another skill, expertise, 2 more weapon mastery. And I think they can use their Two Weapon Fighting "better". Might "offset" for "wanting more useless features".
Can I suggest a way to broach this with the player?
Spellcasting classes often finding themselves asking 'what spell should I spend my high level spell slot on?'; having to choose between fighting styles approximates this for a martial character. In theory every class and subclass comes with choices and downsides. That's kind of the point. If one character could do everything, D&D would be a great solo game.
One of my player has a level 9 champion fighter: stealth wood elf, Archery + TWF (both aren't overwhelming) and Point Buy Stats. They would very much like to have the Unarmed + Grappler feats but they can't fit those in their current build without letting go of either Archery, or TWF. Honestly... I don't think I'll break my games if I just give them that. Their character is pretty much a Solid Snake and they've played like that since level 1.
Wanted others DM opinion.
Conclusion: I'll say no. Full answer.
I'd personally say no. Fighters already get access to more Feats and more ASI than any other class (it's part of their gimmick) and giving them two free feats without doing the same for everyone else is essentially giving them two extra level ups
Honestly, I tend to operate tables where players get treated equally. So, if one player wants something and I agree, every player gets that thing. However, players also tend to be aware that the more stuff they get, the enemies are more likely to be more challenging to match their power levels. I say this so that you know this is the bias that I have.
My approach would be to say - yeah, if you want two new feats then that's okay. There are two caveats though.
1. Every other player gets two new feats.
2. The enemies you face will likely be greater in number, or greater in strength than they might normally be.
I might also throw in that adventuring days become longer - i.e. an additional encounter between long rests if the feats increase resources (at will spells or suchlike).
It is your table's game to have fun at so ultimately it'll be what fits into your table's style. I would only caution giving something to one player something that the others don't get.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
Not sure what ASI/Feat was chosen at level 8, but allow that one to swapped.
Now he wants one more feat. Is TWF two weapon or thrown weapon? TwoWF & unarmed boost can allow some nice secondary damage. "See Monks". He will soon get another attack as well.
To be honest, let him swap out a fighting style. I was looking at the options, even getting the 12th Level ASI/Feat early, but keep coming back to let him swap a fighting style.
Whenever a fighter gains a fighter level, they can swap out the fighting style they chose at lv1 for a different one. Thought it might be worth noting.
A 9th level champion fighter has 3 ASIs; he could easily have taken those feats on prior level-ups if there were that essential to his concept. That said, fighting style feats are a bit weak (particularly if this is a 2014 campaign) and stacking different attacking fighting style feats is really weak, so I can see making some tweaks.
Just curious, as the calendar is now 2026, why would your default assumption be 2014 rules vice 2024? Without any indication by the original poster, yes it could be 2014, but could also be 2024. Just want to understand why this is the older assumption vice the more recent?
Thank you everyone for your advice. I'll answer: No. It seems opens the door to "too much trouble".
That being said, I'll sit with the player and see how we can rework their character. I will allow some "resonable" measure of respec. It's not for me to choose, but it seems like the player would be better with multiclassing to rogue at level 9 than getting an extra fighter level. That won't give them unarmed, but it'll give them an extra d6 per round, (they always have advantage somehow), another skill, expertise, 2 more weapon mastery. And I think they can use their Two Weapon Fighting "better". Might "offset" for "wanting more useless features".
And, I will allow re-working ASIs. I don't mind.
And to answer questions: It's a 2024 ruleset campaign. TWF = Two Weapon Fighting (sorry, I didn't think about Thrown Weapon Fighting).
> A 9th level champion fighter has 3 ASIs; he could easily have taken those feats on prior level-ups if there were that essential to his concept.
True, but a character concept evolves as the player adventure the world through them :)
Can I suggest a way to broach this with the player?
Spellcasting classes often finding themselves asking 'what spell should I spend my high level spell slot on?'; having to choose between fighting styles approximates this for a martial character. In theory every class and subclass comes with choices and downsides. That's kind of the point. If one character could do everything, D&D would be a great solo game.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.