Ancestry and Class Feats... do I get this right?

[Asgetrion]

I'm not sure if I understand correctly how Ancestry and Class Feats work. Namely, some Ancestries (for example, Dwarf and Human) do not get 17th level feat choices at all, which means they have to pick lower level feats at 17th level, and likewise at levels which offer only feats with prerequisites that you do not have? For example, if I'm playing a dwarf who picks Vengeful Hatred at 1st level, I'm forced to pick another 1st level Ancestral Feat at 5th level, correct? I wonder why, because I would have preferred more choice with Ancestral Feats and viable options at every level they can be chosen. Also, certain Ancestries get more Feats than others, I wonder if this was also intentional and why?

And speaking of Class Feats, occasionally you just don't have any choice at all with them either, because you don't meet the prerequisites or the feats do not suit your character. For example, at 16th level a two-handed weapon fighter can't choose any of the four feats, so I guess all of them must choose something else. This must be intentional, perhaps to balance out damage output between different weapon types, or because there are many great lower level feats for two-handed wielders?

Finally, I know that you can always pick lower level Ancestry Feats, but does it also apply to Class Feats? I didn't see any mention of that in the core rulebook.

[Malk_Content]

You can always pick a lower level feat of any type when you get that feat. As for why there aren't certain options at certain levels there are many reasons.

A) Balance,perhaps all the two handed stuff was sufficient at x level and adding more would make it an unduly powerful option.

B) Team creativeness: If Paizo didn't think of something satisfactory for x level then it can't exist.

C) Page space: Doubtless numerous feats were cut for space reasons, presumably those we have are the best/most suited to a core book.

D) More baskets for your eggs: Not having options for certain builds at every level lets players diversify their character without feeling like they've lost out on being the best at y thing.

[Mellored]

Yes, you can (and sometimes have to) take lower level feats.

Higher level feats are not always better, so it's not a big deal.

[Kyrone]

You can only put a certain amount of content in only one book because of the number of pages, the Lost Omens Character guide already have more feats for the core ancestries if you wish more.

Anyway, you can pick lower level feats, and having more lower level feats than higher ones gives more options for levels that people play more often and the lower level feats are still options for higher level slots.

[Asgetrion]

Thanks, everyone! I agree; in retrospect, there is only so much stuff the design team could fit into those pages, and they thought 10+ feats per Ancestry would be enough for a first few campaigns.

This also opens up design space for higher level feats that might be situational yet powerful when they're utilized, as compared to someone wanting to optimize their character and ending up selecting more low-to-mid level feats. Nice!

I'll probably get LOCG next week, at least that's what they predicted at my FLGS. It'll be great to have more Ancestry Feats right off the bat