Some sources of bonus feats (off the top of my head the Ranger combat style class feature) call out that you don't need to meet the prereqs.
For some sources of bonus feats, you do have to meet the prereqs (for example the bonus feat from the Human racial trait).
Then there are some bonus feats that make no sense if you have to meet the prereqs but that don't call out that you don't need to.
A prime example is the Disruptive rage power that gives you Disruptive as a bonus feat, but mentions nothing about not needing to be a sixth level fighter. Another is the Bard archetype Arcane Dualist giving you Disruptive as a bonus feat, again with no text on prereqs. There are quite a few more, but these are the ones I can think of right now.
It is my understanding that if you have a feat you don't meet the prereqs for, it ceases to function, unless there is specific text allowing you to ignore the prereqs. Giving you a bonus feat you can't use.
Are these sources of bonus feats where you are highly unlikely to meet the prereqs for the feat just poorly written, or is there some general set of rules on bonus feats and prereqs that I'm missing?
Thanks.
Edit: Gah, this should be in rules questions but I don't know how to move it.
Nah,
Some classes are just cool, or awesome, or very specialized, and because of that they gain feats or key word here "Access" to feats.
Disruptive as a bonus feat for an arcane duelist just means that he got it. No questions asked.
Since its not a "choice" he automatically gets it.
If it was a "choice" it would state whether or not he would need to meet the pre reqs for it.
' feat you don't meet the prereqs for, it ceases to function, unless there is specific text allowing you to ignore the prereqs. Giving you a bonus feat you can't use."
the only thing that prevents feats from not working are actual physical limitations.
If you have a tower shield proficiency, but get turned into a frog, or lose all of your strength, then you still technically have the feat, but cant actually use it.
If you have a feat, and you somehow lose the prerequisite for the feat (e.g. retraining, or BAB loss from negative levels, etc.) then you can't use that feat anymore until you meet the prerequisites again.
If you're selecting a feat through the normal process and you do not have the prerequisites for the feat you cannot select that feat until you meet the prerequisite.
If you have a class feature that grants you a feet without needing the meet the prerequisite, then you are okay to have and use this feat because this is an instance of specific trumping general. The general rule is that you can't take or use a feat without the prerequisite, the specific rule of the ranger's bonus feats says you can, so the latter applies.
If something is GIVING you the feat the default is you don't need the pre-reqs. The two examples you gave are giving you a feat.
If you're PICKING a feat, the default is you need the pre-reqs. Like fighter feats and sorcerer bloodline feats.
If something is GIVING you the feat the default is you don't need the pre-reqs. The two examples you gave are giving you a feat.
If you're PICKING a feat, the default is you need the pre-reqs. Like fighter feats and sorcerer bloodline feats.
The weird exception is the "Shield Champion" brawler archetype which gives you bonus feats but states you need the prerequisites for them. That one always sat oddly with me.
It's an exception because it calls itself out as an exceptions by saying you need to meet the pre-reqs. But yes, it's the biggest/only? one gives a feat if you meet the pre-reqs.