Level 2 feats from backgrounds

[SuperParkourio]

If I get a level 2 feat from an Adventure Path background, therefore gaining it at level 1 instead of level 2, does the feat use my actual level or the level of the feat for the math in its description. For instance, if I'm level 1 and my level 2 feat deals one damage die per 2 levels I have, would it deal 0 damage or one die of damage?

[Lucerious]

SuperParkourio wrote:

If I get a level 2 feat from an Adventure Path background, therefore gaining it at level 1 instead of level 2, does the feat use my actual level or the level of the feat for the math in its description. For instance, if I'm level 1 and my level 2 feat deals one damage die per 2 levels I have, would it deal 0 damage or one die of damage?

It helps if you cite the example.

[Claxon]

Usually things that have a minimum of 1 say something to that effect, but if the feat is normally level 2 minimum then it's possible the situation wasn't accounted for.

As a GM, I would probably rule it has a minimum of 1 damage die just so it's not completely worthless at level 1.

[SuperParkourio]

Lucerious wrote:

SuperParkourio wrote:

If I get a level 2 feat from an Adventure Path background, therefore gaining it at level 1 instead of level 2, does the feat use my actual level or the level of the feat for the math in its description. For instance, if I'm level 1 and my level 2 feat deals one damage die per 2 levels I have, would it deal 0 damage or one die of damage?

It helps if you cite the example.

Alright, the feat in question is Blasting Beams, available in the Dark Archive and reprinted in the Gatewalkers Player's Guide. The campaign-specific background Dreams of Vengeance grants it, therefore allowing it at level 1, and the lore text states outright that you "nearly burned down the countryside" with this power. Yet as far as I can tell, this power only affects a single creature and doesn't get to do actual damage to creatures until-

*gasp* I forgot about the backlash! If you spam this power too often, it eventually results in you dealing 1d6 per level to all creatures in a 30 foot emanation with a basic Fortitude save (the user automatically takes full damage). And when an area effect describes only the effects on creatures, the GM gets to decide what happens to unattended objects, allowing this feat to technically start a forest fire at level 1!

[Jared Walter 356]

technically it would round down to 0 RAW. However, I would see this as not working as intended and have it do 1 die at 1st level. Likely an oversight. I agree with Claxon on this issue.

[Baarogue]

Rule is always round down unless instructed otherwise. If you don't have at least 2 levels, you have no damage

[KraevenX]

The entire feat is very suspect. What kind of attack roll are you even making with the beam? A ranged attack? An unarmed attack? What determines your proficiency? Edit: NVM found it https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=1724

It is absolutely an oversight on the writer's part that the background provides a feat that does not work at level 1. Any DM with half a brain will rule that you can deal 1d6 minimum, given that you can have access to it at level 1.