Dungeons and Dragons 5e (2024) provides numerous options for character development as your character gains experience. One of the key decisions comes when your character reaches Level 4: you may either raise your ability scores by a total of two points or select a general feat that you qualify for.
Although boosting your attributes is always beneficial, feats enable you to enhance your character beyond their class. Although there are numerous feats available, think about selecting one of these.
Speedy
If you’re playing a martial class and want to navigate the battlefield more efficiently, the Speedy feat increases your speed, makes you harder to hit, and reduces the impact of difficult terrain.
Although you must have a 13 or higher in Dexterity or Constitution, selecting the Speedy feat also boosts one of these attributes by one (capping at 20). Speedy also enhances your movement speed by 10, forces enemies to make opportunity attacks against you with disadvantage, and lets you bypass difficult terrain if you use the Dash action.
If you aim to shift positions on the battlefield without concern for taking damage from enemy strikes, then Speedy is probably the ability you need.
War Caster
Would you like your spellcaster to be nearer to the action but concerned about the dangers of entering close combat? The War Caster feat enhances your ability to cast spells and makes you a more effective opponent in hand-to-hand fighting.
The only requirement for selecting the War Caster feat is having the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature. Upon taking the feat, you gain a +1 increase to your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score (capped at 20). Additionally, you have advantage on Constitution saving throws needed to keep concentration on spells, and you can ignore the Somatic components of spells even when your hands are occupied.
War Caster enhances your opportunity attacks by letting you cast a spell instead of making a melee strike. The spell must target the creature that provoked the opportunity attack, but it significantly broadens your capabilities as a front-line attacker.
Sentinel
Like the concept of being able to restrict your opponent’s movement? The Sentinel ability allows you to achieve exactly that, making your character a responsive danger that can prevent enemies from advancing or fleeing.
To qualify for the Sentinel feat, you must have a score of 13 or higher in either Strength or Dexterity. Taking this feat allows you to raise that score by one (with a maximum of 20). If a creature within five feet of you attacks another creature or uses the Disengage action, you can immediately respond with a reaction to make an opportunity attack against them. Additionally, whenever you successfully hit a creature with an opportunity attack, their speed is set to zero until the end of the current turn.
Sentinel is flexible, allowing you to either protect your teammates or focus on quick enemies. Reducing an opponent’s speed to nothing can be very effective, often determining whether you win or they do.
Fey-Touched
Is there a character with a history connected to the Feywild, or do you simply want to incorporate some of that fairy magic into your character? The Fey-Touched feat shows your character’s contact with the magic of the Feywild and the benefits that result from it.
Unlike other feats, the Fey-Touched feat does not require any prerequisites. Upon selecting this feat, you gain a +1 bonus to your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score (capped at 20). You learn the Misty Step spell and also choose one first-level spell from either the Divination or Enchantment school of magic. These spells are always prepared and can be cast without cost once per long rest.
Misty Step enables you to move 30 feet as a bonus action, serving as an ideal escape mechanism that you can consistently have available. Divination and Enchantment aren’t known for their most powerful spells at first level, but they do provide some helpful abilities to enhance your character’s versatility.
Heavy Armor Master
Looking to boost your defensive capabilities as a Strength-based martial artist? The Heavy Armor Master feat ensures that each attack that lands on you has a reduced impact.
To qualify for the Heavy Armor Master Feat, you must be proficient in heavy armor. Acquiring the feat boosts your Strength or Constitution score by one (with a maximum of 20). Whenever you receive bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage while wearing heavy armor, you decrease the damage by an amount equal to your proficiency bonus.
Brutal, piercing, and cutting are some of the most frequently used damage types in the game, and since the damage reduction increases with your proficiency bonus, it will remain effective at every stage of gameplay.
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