Heroic Feats
I think one of the brilliant improvements in 5th edition D&D are the feats. These compact bundles of advantages are flavorful and lend themselves well to become determining features of a character. I am an Actor, I am Lucky, I am a Sharpshooter.
A second thing I really like are the “half feats”. These feats give you a small advantage and an ability increase, and here I think there is not enough variety. I don’t always want to be an Actor when I want my Charisma raised by 1. That or Resilient, which gives my proficiency in Charisma Saving Throws, which I might already have.
Well, I could also take no feat and raise my Charisma and another attribute by 1. Which would be the most powerful option, but probably not the most fun to take. So here are three feats (and a fighting style), which hopefully bring a bit more variety to the table.
Combat Expertise
Due to your rigorous training, you learned the intricacies of a particular fighting style. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your strength, dexterity or constitution ability score by 1.
- You learn a Fighting Style of your choice.
Heroic Swordsmanship
Many renowned heroes and adventurers prefer the versatility of the sword. You follow their footsteps and gain the following benefits:
- Increase one ability score of your choice by 1.
- Whenever you declare an attack with a sword (shortsword, longsword, or greatsword), you may choose to deal slashing, bludgeoning or piercing damage instead of its normal damage type.
- Longswords you wield have the Finesse property.
Natural Aptitude
You just have a knack for one of your acquired skills. You gain the following benefits:
- Choose one of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make using this proficiency.
- Increase the associated ability score by 1.
Additional Fighting Style
Fighting styles are also pretty fun character options, and since one of the presented feats allow access to one of your choice, why not present more options for fighting styles as well. The following fighting style is available for Fighters and Paladins:
Phalanx Fighting. You may wield a two-handed reach weapon in one hand. While doing so the weapon’s damage die is a d8.