Class Feats


Classes


I wanted to share something I've been thinking about on class feats. First, I'm super happy with the flexibility they provide. Letting me choose the abilities I want to better customize my character was a much needed change. It significantly lowers the need for many archetypes and a few hybrid classes that were necessary in the more rigid 1st Ed class structure.

However, I find it weird how class feats were executed. Certain things, like animal companions or wizard school powers, make sense. They are very specific to the class and are hard for more than a select few classes to accomplish. But some things are more universal, like two weapon fighting and metamagic. Because of this, certain feats need to be repeated word for word with each class that gets them. In fact, if you wanted to, instead of locating each feat under each class that gets it, you could consolidate space by listing all the feats together and listing each class with the level the feat becomes available.

Which might sound familiar: it's how spells were handled in 1st Ed. I love how spells are handled in 2nd Ed. There are four spells lists and you get one. When a new spell is created, you don't have to go through each class and see if it fits, just add it to the appropriate list. This way classes aren't "missing" spells that might make sense (I will never understand who decided witches didn't get the image spells.... Just why!?)

So I guess feats feel like they are a step behind. Characters can choose between them as they grow, much like spells, but with them listed for each individual class they can easily ruin a character idea someone had in mind. Much like I wanted to build an illusion based witch but struggled, dual wielding rogues are currently a common concept that are hard to implement. I'm sure rogues will eventually be given the necessary class feats, but it seems like a problem that will continue each time new classes and feats are introduced as the edition continues.

I wanted to mention it because the four spell lists are a great implementation to help as new options are added. It's pretty elegant. I don't see a reason why class feats couldn't be just as elegant.

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