Feats 5E Guide [How To Choose And Leverage Feats Effectively]

Feats 5E, those magical tricks up your characters’ sleeves in D&D, have the potential to change everything in your campaign.

They’re not just extra skills; they are game-changers that can take your character from “just surviving” to “triumphant hero.” They can turn the tide of an otherwise losing battle and make your character a legend in their own right.

Now, you might be wondering, “What exactly are these feats? And how do I use them effectively?” Don’t sweat! This blog will be your indispensable guide to understanding and optimizing your use of Feats 5E.

We’ll walk you through how to pick them wisely for your character class and situation, ensuring that you have every advantage in the dangerous world of Dungeons & Dragons. Strap in, folks; we’re going on an epic adventure with Feats 5E.

What is Feats 5E in D&D?

Feats in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5E) are special abilities that a character can acquire to enhance their skills, attributes, or capabilities beyond the standard advancement provided by their class.

They might provide bonus actions, extend the range of abilities, or convey new capabilities such as weapons proficiency or spell casting.

These feats are selected at certain leveling milestones based on a character’s class and racial attributes. They add a layer of customization, thus greatly enriching the gameplay.

Explore More: Scarecrow 5E Monster 2023 [How To Use A Scarecrow In DnD]

How to get Feats in 5E?

In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5E), players can gain Feats in a few different ways:

• Leveling Up: Most characters can choose a Feat instead of gaining an ability score feature when they reach the 4th level and again at the 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th levels.
• Class Features: Some classes give the characters extra choices by offering Feats at certain levels. For example, Fighters get an additional choice at the 6th level and then again at the 14th level.
• Variant Human Trait: If your game allows the use of variant features (a decision made by your Dungeon Master), a new human character can start with a feat from the first level onwards.

Keep in mind that these rules might vary slightly depending on your Dungeon Master’s campaign setting or house rules. It’s essential to have a conversation with your Dungeon Master to fully understand how you can obtain Feats in your specific adventure.

Class	Feat	Notes
Barbarian	Great Weapon Master	Requires use of a heavy weapon.
Bard	Actor	Charisma boost and deception.
Cleric	Tough	Boosts your hit points.
Druid	Observant	Boosts your perception.
Fighter	Sentinel	Enhances opportunity attacks.
Monk	Mobile	Avoids opportunity attacks.
Paladin	Inspiring Leader	Extra hit points for your party.
Ranger	Sharpshooter	More powerful ranged shots.
Rogue	Alert	Even better, Eldritch Blasts!
Sorcerer	Spell Sniper	Add an extra cantrip such as Eldritch Blast.
Warlock	Elven Accuracy	It only applies to Elves and Half-Elves.
Wizard	War Caster	Maintain spell concentration.

Also Read: Rogue 5E Guide D&D 2023 [Uncover Strategies, Tips, & Tricks]

Advantages of Selecting a DnD 5E Feat

Selecting a 5E feat can offer some notable advantages:

Unleash Power with Great Weapon Master

Imagine yourself as Conan the Barbarian, your impressive, heavy weapon swinging with devastating effect. That’s almost how it feels when you utilize the Great Weapon Master (GWM) feat. You gain the capability to pull off powerful blows that can significantly damage your enemies.

GWM grants you two vital benefits:

• You can choose to take a -5 penalty to hit but add +10 to your damage if you do hit. Take a gamble for impressive results!
• If you score a critical hit or reduce an enemy to 0 HP, you get an additional bonus attack.

Character Development

With feats, your character becomes more distinctive and capable than ever before. Not only do these feats make your sessions exciting, but they also help your character develop and grow in novel ways beyond just leveling up.

Gain Tactical Advantage

Feats give tactical advantages, too–you might gain resistance against spells, added proficiency, or even the ability to score a critical hit on demand.

Remember that no two DnD games are the same. Understanding and utilizing the benefits of available Feats 5E can truly set your campaign apart and elevate gaming experiences for everyone around the table.

Character Builds Emphasizing DnD Feats 5E

In the diverse world of Dungeons and Dragons, character builds often determine the experience of a campaign. Beyond class choices and weapon proficiencies, feats play a significant role in fine-tuning a character’s capabilities.

These feats, while optional, can greatly enhance or diversify a character’s abilities, giving a fresh twist to traditional class roles. Here, we delve into the potential feats that can shape six popular D&D classes, emphasizing unique builds and strategies.

Wizard

Masters of arcane magic, wizards harness knowledge to shape reality. With the “War Caster” feat, a wizard can maintain concentration on spells even amidst the heat of battle, making it invaluable for frontline spellcasters.

The “Alert” feat ensures they always get the jump on their enemies, considering their typically lower hit points. For those looking for a bit more versatility in spell choice, the “Ritual Caster” feat allows wizards to cast non-wizard spells that have the ritual tag.

“Spell Sniper” extends the reach and avoids cover for those invaluable spell attacks, ensuring that a wizard can control the battlefield from any distance.

Warlock

Bound by otherworldly pacts, warlocks blend eldritch power with charisma. The “Eldritch Adept” feat gives them access to an additional Eldritch Invocation, broadening their repertoire of dark abilities.

“Agonizing Blast” can be used to add a charisma modifier to the damage of Eldritch Blast, one of the most famed cantrips of the warlock.

“Mobile” is a feat that pairs exceptionally well with the warlock’s ability to cast spells and retreat without incurring opportunity attacks. For the more combat-ready warlocks, “Tough” boosts their hit points, allowing them to wade deeper into battle with less fear.

Sorcerer

Birthed from magical origins, sorcerers possess innate power. The “Metamagic Adept” feat is almost tailor-made for sorcerers, granting them two additional Metamagic options and sorcery points.

“Elemental Adept” makes elemental sorcerers especially potent, bypassing resistances. For a sorcerer who is frequently up close and personal, “Warcaster” again comes in handy, allowing them to maintain concentration and cast spells when opportunity attacks are provoked.

With their lower hit points, the “Lucky” feat can be a lifesaver, providing them the chance to reroll critical saving throws or attack rolls.

Rogue

Stealth, cunning, and precision define rogues. The “Skulker” feat elevates their stealth game, allowing them to hide when only lightly obscured.

Pairing this with the “Mobile” feat ensures that they can dash in, strike, and retreat to the shadows without incurring opportunity attacks.

For the rogues who prefer to talk or deceive their way out, “Actor” can be invaluable, granting an advantage on performance and deception checks. “Dual Wielder” appeals to the rogues who favor a blade in each hand, increasing their defense and fluidity in combat.

Ranger

Rangers are the guardians of the wild, blending nature magic with martial prowess. The “Sharpshooter” feat is a ranger’s best friend, letting them maximize longbow usage by ignoring cover and shooting at longer ranges without disadvantage.

“Horde Breaker” allows them to take on multiple foes, ideal for a ranger surrounded by lesser creatures. For beast master rangers, “Mounted Combatant” makes their animal companions more formidable, granting advantages and protecting them from harm.

“Favored Foe,” an updated version of the classic Favored Enemy, allows rangers to target creatures with extra damage consistently.

Paladin

Holy warriors and paladins wield divine power to smite foes and heal allies. “Sentinel” is a popular feat for paladins, ensuring enemies cannot easily escape their righteous wrath.

This feat, when combined with “Polearm Master,” creates a frontline powerhouse, letting the paladin attack foes that come into and leave their reach.

“Inspiring Leader” resonates with a paladin’s role as a beacon of hope, granting temporary hit points to allies through a rousing speech. “Lay on Hands” is made even more potent with the “Healer” feat, ensuring their ability to mend wounds is never wasted.

Monk

Monks harness inner energy, often referred to as ‘ki,’ to perform feats of agility and power. The “Mobile” feat is a staple for many monks, granting extra speed and the ability to evade foes after striking.

“Defensive Duelist” enhances a monk’s already impressive AC, allowing them to use their reaction to increase it against one melee attack.

The “Tavern Brawler” feat provides proficiency with improvised weapons and an improved grappling ability, enhancing their martial arts versatility.

“Mage Slayer” empowers monks to close the gap on spellcasters, interrupting their concentration and punishing their arcane reliance.

Fighter

The quintessential warrior’s fighters are versatile and robust. The “Great Weapon Master” or “Sharpshooter” feats are favorites for those specializing in two-handed weapons or archery, respectively.

“Shield Master” complements the sword-and-shield fighter, providing bonus actions and increased protection. Fighters often get the most from the “Sentinel” feat, controlling the battlefield and keeping enemies in check.

With their multiple attacks, the “Lucky” feat can turn potential misses into hits, ensuring that they remain a consistent force on the battlefield.

Druid

Nature’s custodians, druids, weave magic and transform into beasts. The “War Caster” feat ensures they maintain concentration on spells, even when in beast form.

The “Elemental Adept” feat, particularly with fire or cold spells, allows moon druids to bypass resistances while in elemental forms.

For those focused on summoning, “Magic Initiate” can provide additional creatures or familiars. Meanwhile, “Resilient” boosts saving throws, bolstering a druid’s survivability in both humanoid and beast forms.

Cleric

Divine conduits, clerics channel deities to heal and harm. “Heavy Armor Master” strengthens frontline clerics, reducing physical damage taken.

“Warcaster” is almost essential for any cleric in the thick of combat, ensuring spells aren’t interrupted. “Bountiful Luck” allows halfling clerics to share their race’s lucky trait with allies, turning the tide in clutch moments.

An “Inspiring Leader,” while unconventional, can be thematically suitable for a cleric rallying their party with words of divine encouragement.

Bard

Entertainers and, enchanters, bards use music and magic to influence the world. The “Lucky” feat complements a bard’s jack-of-all-trades approach, adding a layer of insurance to their varied skills. “Magic Initiate” can diversify their spell list, while “Alert” ensures they’re always ready to serenade or subdue.

The “Actor” feat amplifies their performance capabilities, and “Martial Adept” can grant them a taste of combat superiority with a chosen maneuver, showcasing their adaptability.

Barbarian

Raw and untamed barbarians unleash fury in battle. The “Great Weapon Master” feat enhances their heavy hits, while “Tough” boosts their already formidable hit points.

The “Mobile” feat combined with their fast movement can turn them into rapid juggernauts. For those with the Path of the Totem Warrior, “Ritual Caster” can add more animal-themed rituals to their arsenal.

And, intriguingly, the “Mage Slayer” feat capitalizes on a barbarian’s tendency to close distances quickly, disrupting spellcasters with ease.

All D&D 5E Feats

D&D 5E is rich with various feats that can boost your character’s capabilities well beyond their foundational skills. These feats, much like special abilities or talents, are unique features that give you an edge in your adventures, making your character a more potent force within the game.

From enhanced dexterity to increased combat proficiency, there’s a feat for every kind of player. Let’s explore some popular ones:

• Actor: This feat enhances your ability to deceive others by improving mimicry skills and increasing charisma. Now you can masterfully impersonate NPCs or fool your enemies into believing you’re one of them—quite the skill for an aspiring spy or trickster.
• Alert: We all understand the importance of surprise in combat. The ‘Alert’ feat helps avoid those unwelcome ambush situations by giving a hefty bonus to initiative rolls—an indispensable boon for those who want first-strike advantage.
• Athlete: A dash of Olympic spirit in your campaign! It enhances physical Stats, making climbing easier and reducing penalties from jumps. Why walk when you can leap across obstacles like a graceful gazelle?
• Charger: Perfect for those who enjoy playing assertive characters and hitting hard first. With Charger, when you make a dash action, it gives an option either to make a bonus melee attack or to push an enemy significantly.
• Crossbow Expert: Move over Robin Hood! This is for archery enthusiasts who want to overthrow targets using bolts instead of arrows. It negates the loading property of crossbows and underscores deadly close-quarter bolt shots.
• Defensive Duelist: Fond of fencing? Here’s something tailored just for you! With a finesse weapon equipped and this feat in hand, your defense becomes formidable — making potentially deadly strikes merely glancing blows.
• Dual Wielder: Swing swords like an experienced gladiator and disorientate enemies from knowing where the next attack will land. Not just style, it also gives you a bonus to your AC.
• Dungeon Delver: Adventurers rarely stick to open plains and bustling towns. As a Dungeon Delver, you’re like a truffle pig for traps, secret doors, and more. You’ll be popular with the party as you’ll save them from many surprise shocks!
• Durable: Toughen up with the ‘Durable’ feat. Higher Hit Points will make your character stand longer in battle, ensuring both survival and victory on grueling encounters.
• Elemental Adept: Choose an energy type, and any spell you cast that deals that kind of damage ignores resistance to it– making even the heartiest of foes fear your elemental prowess.
• Grappler: Forget finesse; sometimes, the direct approach is best. Become an expert at grappling your enemies, immobilizing them, and turning the tide of combat in your favor. Plus, the ability to pin down creatures of immense size provides quite a spectacle for your party!
• Great Weapon Master: Great weapons require great skills, and this feat provides just that. Deliver powerful, sweeping blows with each hit – whether it’s enough to fall your enemy or maybe break their guard.
• Healer: Aren’t we all grateful for that one friend who always carries band-aids? On steroids. It’s not all about dealing with damage; sometimes, keeping your team up and fighting can make all the difference.
• Heavily Armored: Armor up and charge into battle fearlessly! This feat gives you proficiency in heavy armor. Kiss those sleepless nights worrying about enemy hits goodbye!
• Heavy Armor Master: What’s better than heavy armor? Mastering its use! You’ll shrug off physical blows that would topple others, making every plate and link work optimally to keep you safe.
• Inspiring Leader: Who doesn’t want their character to be an inspiring force? Whip out this feat to refresh not only your resolve but also raise morale and strengthen resolve within your party members.
• Keen Mind: The brainiac’s delight! Perfect recall and never losing direction is just the tip of the iceberg. This is ideal for magic users who rely on an intense academic understanding of spells & rituals.
• Lightly Armored: Not everyone likes being weighed down by heavy armor. Need a middle-ground between evasive maneuvers and defensive pedigree? Opt for Lightly Armored proficiency — becoming nimble without sacrificing protection.
• Linguist: A polyglot adventurer! Expand your linguistic horizons since communication can sometimes beat combat in the D&D universe. An extra dose of languages equals more allies, less confusion, and better diplomatic prowess.
• Lucky: Let’s face it. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck! This feat gives you an upper hand in those disastrous roles, which could potentially be the fine line between character death and a miraculous escape. Turn an ill-fated blunder into a surprising success story with this wildcard feat.
• Mage Slayer: As the name suggests, this feat empowers you to combat magical adversaries. Now, those magic users aren’t so intimidating, and their spells are prime opportunities for a reactionary strike.
• Magic Initiate: This is an enticing pick for characters who want a taste of magic without the full commitment. Choose a class: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard. You learn two cantrips and one first-level spell of your choice from that class’s spell list.
• Martial Adept: Borrow a little bit of Battle Master’s flair with the Martial Adept feat. It allows you to learn maneuvers that disarm opponents, parry attacks, and even counter them spectacularly!
• Medium Armor Master: If you’re seeking to boost your defense without impairing movement or stealth, this suits you perfectly. Wearing medium armor doesn’t invoke a disadvantage on stealth checks and still permits a reasonable bonus to AC.
• Mobile: This feat is all about hitting hard and fast; there’s no need to tangle with foes if you don’t have to! The Mobile feat boosts your base speed and allows artful dodge attacks in close-quarters combat.
• Moderately Armored: This enhances your defense capabilities by granting proficiency in medium armor and shields – perfect for those playing roles typically not known for their armor usage.
• Mounted Combatant: Are you an aspiring knight? With this feat, your prowess on horseback (or any mount) shines brighter! You can divert damage away from your mount onto yourself and land significant hits against smaller adversaries.
• Observant: Boost both passive Wisdom (Perception) and intelligence (Investigation) rolls significantly with this feat. Hear whispers from across the room or spot details others might miss–you’re now Sherlock Holmes in medieval times!
• Polearm Master: Bring polearm weapons into glorious focus with this feat. A bonus attack could be all that stands between victory and defeat. With Polearm Master, you can exploit every bit of advantage these reach weapons offer.
• Resilient: Increase a stat of your choice and give it proficiency saving throws – turning a weakness into a strength. This feat breathes life back into underused stats, ensuring balance across the board.
• Ritual Caster: Ever wanted to cast spells without spending spell slots? Ritual Caster is your friend. It allows you to cast selected spells as rituals, adding a dash of versatility to your magical abilities.
• Savage Attacker: Revel in the thrill of combat with this gripping feat that lets you reroll melee damage and opt for higher results. Truly, it is a smoother path to vanquishing foes!
• Sentinel: For guardians and protectors at heart, Sentinel allows you to guard allies more effectively. Enemies will think twice before daring to attack any comrade within your reach.
• Sharpshooter: The sniper of D&D, Sharpshooters negotiate distance and cover with remarkable efficiency. Your arrows will find targets across vast ranges and hit them where it hurts most.
• Shield Master: With this feat, not only are you able to deflect attacks using your shield, but you can also use it offensively. A bonanza for characters relying on brute strength in close combat!
• Skilled: Broaden your character’s expertise with Skilled– selecting additional proficiencies from a set list. It opens up new possibilities for character interactions and problem-solving.
• Skulker: The perfect feat for the rogue or ranger hiding in the shadows. It allows you to remain unseen even when you miss an attack or wilfully skulk in dim light – handy indeed!
• Spell Sniper: This feat is a must-have if your specialty lies in casting spells from a distance. Double your attack range and make picking off surprised enemies child’s play.
• Tavern Brawler: The land of D&D isn’t all noble knights and magical mages! Are you living life rough and ready? This feat gives an edge in improvisational fighting, be it smashing chairs or wine bottle duels —an unconventional but surprisingly effective strategy.
• Tough: Want to be a stalwart hero? Tough increases your hit points, making your character hardier and more resilient.
• War Caster: For spellcasters in the frontline, War Caster allows you to maintain concentration on spells even under duress. It makes it easier to cast spells in combat and grants an advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration.
• Weapon Master: Sometimes, might and mastery over weapons make the difference. Gain proficiency in four weapons of your choice and keep enemies at bay with unmatched skill.

While feats can give a unique spin to your character’s abilities, choose them wisely to match up with your adventures. After all, every hero’s tale is different.

So go ahead, explore these incredible feats, and take your D&D gaming experience to new heights. Good luck adventurer!

Read More: Dire Wolf 5E Monster [Abilities, Strengths, & Weaknesses]

FAQs about Feats 5E