Alleviating feat cost?

[andromada369]

From what I know some builds and some feat trees in general are expensive in the vein of how many feats will it take to get my character to do what I want it to do. And if my understanding of the rules is correct there is nothing in the rules saying that feats can't be obtained from "outside means" I.E. other than leveling up. So my question is how do you deal with feat cost? Do you even bother? I've got my own idea but I'd like to hear what others have to say.

[Helaman]

A common one I heard was make Power Attack and Expertise free for any who qualify for the feat normally via BAB and stat needs... the rationale is that its a 'combat' option.

At low levels Expertise is better than defensive fighting but you can still justify that saying not all warriors/fighters are 'smart' enough to use it.

I like this myself - opens up manuevers to the players and gives them more options. There is some SMALL investment needed in having the right stat score.

Others give it away as soon as the player hits +1 BAB. Others handwave away the feat requirement.

[wraithstrike]

Leveling up is the only way to get feat for the most part. I think there is a magic item or two that gives feats, but they are rare.

Feats in general are hard to price if you mean "cost" with respect to magic items since not all feats are equal. Personally I don't allow custom items in order to gain feats.

The game is also made the way it is to force you to make choices. Being able to buy feats changes the dynamic of the game. I am not saying it is wrong if that is what your group likes, but I would be surprised if it is widely supported.

[Darkwing Duck]

Another one is to give martial characters (and probably mid-BAB characters) weapon finesse for free for light weapons.

[andromada369]

Well the idea I had was to put in training schools or some place where pc's could learn feats from npcs. Granted not all feats can be gained this way so it would be up to the gm to decide what feats can and can't be gotten in this way.

The pc's would first have to find who could teach their desired feat. Then they would need to find out if said npc is willing to train the pc. Then assuming the trainer is willing to train what does the pc need to do, pay cash, do a favor, etc. Then they get the training and boom they have the feat.

Not only could this keep things in check but it also makes sense (to me at least) in lore.

Or you could go even further and say after training you must practice for x period of time or lose the feat.

Again this is my idea however to me it sounds like it could work quite well and create interesting builds.