A Player’s Guide to DnD Feats in 5th Edition

When it comes to leveling up your character in Dungeons and Dragons (DnD), the question on many player’s lips is whether or not to take a feat. DnD feats provide an alternative to ability score improvements (ASIs) while providing different bonuses or advantages, as well as potential backstory enhancements. 

Still, with a library of feats to choose from and the weight of giving up a valuable boon to ability scores, choosing the right feat can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about DnD feats in 5th edition including the types of feats available, their pros and cons, and a list of our preferred feats.

What are DnD feats in 5th Edition? 

Feats are special abilities that characters can gain during gameplay in DnD 5th edition. Unlike class features or spells, feats are not automatically granted to characters and must be chosen by the player when they reach specific levels or meet certain requirements, typically as you level up

Feats bring an extra layer of excitement and individuality to character creation in DnD. They allow you to shape your characters with specialized abilities, offering a greater range of options and enhancing the overall gameplay experience. So, if you're looking to add an extra dash of customization and flair to your character, feats are a wonderful avenue to explore in your DnD adventures.

Types of feats in DnD 5th edition

There are over 40 feats available in DnD 5th edition, each with their unique bonuses and abilities. Here are some of the most common types of feats you can expect to encounter:

Ability score increase feats

These  (commonly referred to as half-feats) allow a character to increase one of their ability scores by 1 point, up to a maximum of 20. These feats are a great way to improve a character's core attributes, such as strength, dexterity, or intelligence. 

Generally half-feats come with an additional bonus and can offset the decision to give up on an ASI. For example, the 5e feat Second Chance can increase dexterity, constitution, or charisma by 1 while also giving you the ability to force an enemy to re-roll a hit against you. 

Skill feats

Skill feats grant a character proficiency in a specific skill or tool, allowing them to perform actions related to that skill more effectively. Examples of skill feats include Actor, which grants proficiency in deception and performance, or Keen Mind, which grants proficiency in investigation and intelligence checks. 

Combat feats

These feats provide bonuses to a character's combat abilities, such as granting new weapon proficiencies, increasing damage output, or allowing for special combat maneuvers. Examples of combat feats include Great Weapon Master, which allows for powerful attacks at the cost of accuracy, or Dual Wielder, which grants an additional weapon attack per turn.

Miscellaneous feats

These feats provide unique bonuses or abilities that don't fit into the other categories. Examples of miscellaneous feats include Magic Initiate, which grants a character access to a small selection of spells, or Linguist, which grants knowledge of new languages and communication skills. 

Miscellaneous feats might not present a ton of value off the page, but can be very effective at differentiating your character, creating unique little snowflakes that refuse to be put into a mold.

Advantages of using DnD feats

Using feats in DnD 5th edition can provide several significant advantages. First and foremost, feats allow players to customize their characters more fully, allowing them to create unique and memorable characters tailored to their playstyle. This customization can make gameplay more engaging and enjoyable, as players have more control over their character's development.

Additionally, feats can provide significant bonuses to a character's abilities, allowing them to excel in specific areas of gameplay. Not everyone wants to create a one-trick-pony, but doing so can create an incredibly reliable party member or atleast one capable of delivering exceptional moments. For example, a character with the Sharpshooter feat can deal massive damage at range, while a character with the Mobile feat can move quickly and avoid attacks more easily. These bonuses can help players overcome challenges and succeed in combat or other encounters.

Half-feats can also be helpful for getting your character to the necessary even-number of an ability score with an added combat or skill bonus. Ability score generation methods frequently resulting in odd numbers and bonuses only kick in at even numbers. Contrary to the two increases available, half-feats can increase at least one score to an even number while affording a useful bonus in gameplay. 

Disadvantages of using DnD feats

While feats can provide significant advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Obviously, choosing a feat means giving up the ability score increase that characters receive at specific levels. This can be a significant drawback, as ability scores are critical for determining a character's abilities and effectiveness in gameplay.

Additionally, despite the variety of feats available many feats are not useful or relevant to certain characters or playstyles. Depending on the character build you’re going for, you may not be able to find a 5e feat worth of the ability score tradeoff. Contrary to an ability score improvement, which is guaranteed to offer bonus to your character, choosing the wrong feat can lead to wasted opportunities, so it's essential to choose carefully or skip entirely. 

Nat20Hot’s top 10 DnD feats in 5e 

While choosing the best feats in DnD 5th edition can be challenging, we put together a list of our top 10 that can offer great boons to players based on their character build: 

• Great Weapon Master: This feat allows characters to deal heavy damage with heavy weapons, offering bonuses to attack rolls when taking a penalty to hit and the ability to make an extra attack on a critical hit or killing blow.
• Sharpshooter: Favored by ranged weapon users, this feat provides increased accuracy at long range, the ability to ignore cover, and the option to take a penalty to attack for a significant boost to damage.
• Lucky: This versatile feat grants characters three luck points, which can be spent to gain advantage on attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws. Additionally, it can force enemies to reroll successful attacks against you. While good for any character, those with low AC or prone to taking risks will find a lot of value here. 
• Polearm Master: Effective for characters wielding any long weapon (battleaxes, warhammers, spears, and more), this feat allows for an additional bonus attack using the butt end of the weapon and an opportunity attack when enemies enter your reach. Paladins, who boast fewer attacks than fighters, can find value here. 
• Sentinel: A potent choice for tanks and defenders, this feat enables characters to make opportunity attacks against foes who attack their allies, and it can reduce an enemy's speed to zero upon landing an opportunity attack.
• War Caster: Particularly useful for spellcasting characters, this feat provides advantage on concentration saving throws, the ability to cast spells as opportunity attacks, and perform somatic components even with hands full.
• Resilient: This feat enhances a character's ability scores and proficiency in saving throws for a chosen ability score, granting better protection against spells and effects targeting that score.
• Mobile: Suitable for skirmishers and hit-and-run combatants, this feat boosts a character's speed, allows them to ignore difficult terrain when dashing, and prevents opportunity attacks from most enemies.
• Spell Sniper: Designed for spellcasters with ranged attack spells, this feat extends their spell range, allows them to ignore cover when targeting enemies, and grants proficiency with a specific spell attack.
• Observant: This feat enhances a character's perception skills, providing bonuses to passive Wisdom (Perception) scores and the ability to read lips and uncover hidden messages or clues. This is a feat where working with your DM can be very helpful to make sure you get the most from this feat.

Tips for choosing the best feats in DnD 5th edition

When choosing feats in DnD 5th edition, it's essential to consider your character's abilities, playstyle, and role in the party. Here are some tips to help you choose the best feats:

• Consider your character's strengths and weaknesses: Feats that complement your character's existing abilities can be especially powerful. For example, a character with high strength and proficiency in athletics would benefit greatly from the Athlete feat, which grants additional movement and climbing abilities. Feats are often not enough to entirely offset a weakness or shortcoming of your character.
• Think about your party's needs: Choosing feats that complement your party's abilities and roles can help your group succeed in combat and other encounters. For example, a character with the Healer feat can provide essential healing support to the party.
• Don't overlook the basics: While some feats may seem flashy or exciting, it's important not to overlook the basics. Ability score increase feats can be incredibly powerful, especially if used to increase a character's primary attribute.

Using feats when multiclassing

Multiclassing isn’t for everyone, but many players choose to do so both for creative gameplay opportunities and roleplaying flair. Depending on the makeup of your multiclass character, feats aren’t always a valuable addition to your character.

Ability scores 

Since the class milestones are more spread out, multiclass characters typically have fewer ASIs available compared to single-class characters. ASIs are valuable for increasing your ability scores, which can enhance your overall effectiveness. If boosting your primary ability scores is a priority, you may want to prioritize ASIs over feats or atleast prioritize half-feats.

Versatility vs. Specialization

Consider the balance between versatility and specialization that you desire for your character. Feats can offer both. Some feats provide general benefits that enhance your character's versatility, making them proficient in various areas. Others offer specialized benefits that complement specific class features or playstyles. 

If you’re looking to build a character that can perform reasonably well in a number of areas, feats may provide the answer you’re looking for. Still, multiclassing often takes away from a character’s ability to reach the truly powerful abilities of their classes in later levels. Feats can provide some specialization or greater enhancements to make up for these shortcomings. 

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some multiclass builds benefit more from taking feats, while others prioritize ability score improvements or class progression. It's important to weigh the mechanical advantages of feats against the narrative and thematic elements of your character.

Conclusion

Feats are an essential part of DnD 5th edition, providing unique abilities and bonuses to characters that can help them overcome challenges and succeed in gameplay. Choosing the right feats can be challenging, but by considering your character's abilities, playstyle, and role in the party, you can make the most of these powerful abilities. 

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, using feats in DnD 5th edition can help you create unique and memorable characters and enjoy the game to its fullest.

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