A story-driven alternative to feats

[Lincoln Hills]

Perusing recent threads on whether or not GMs use traits, and how the system would be different if feats were removed, it occurred to me that the trait/feat mechanic would be quite different if these benefits (aside from initial training) were awards just like XP and gold were: something equivalent to the 'unlockable' content of a video game.

GM: You have defeated the kobold king. You receive 625 XP, which I believe will put you all up to 3rd level: in addition to the magic armband and spear, and the pouch of citrines, you've gained the option of one of these four benefits: Tripwire-Wary, Tunnel Magician, Silent Approach or Horde-Hammer.

Rather than being a standing table based on BAB or waiting for level advancement, GMs would hand out access based on in-game accomplishments. Admittedly, it'd take a lot of work - and GMs would have to pace the rate and strength of 'unlockables' a lot more than they have to with the automatically-received schedule of feats. It'd also play havoc with character builds, and encourage optimizers to do some things that might not make sense in-game: "I'm going to hunt down and fight some gnolls, because that's the only way I can get Double Hatchet-Throw."

Thoughts? Difficulties?

[Dabbler]

Well it would make a mess of feat progression if you depend on it for your concept.

Otherwise, I introduced a slightly different concept in a game I'm running: All PCs start with just one trait. At the end of every module, the PCs can select a trait that represents something that they have learned or acquired in the adventure to date.

[Lincoln Hills]

Yes, it definitely leaves the player accustomed to long-term feat planning at a disadvantage. But then, the system would sort of obviate the game-balance need for 'prerequisite feats', so the fact that a 'build' couldn't be planned wouldn't have as much significance. Most players are already accustomed to 'randomized' power-ups in the sense that their GMs are the ones who select the magic items found - aside from campaigns in which a dragon's hoard has no magic items, just a bunch of prepaid gift cards...