Feats and Character Creation

Backgrounds in 5e provide interesting flavor to character creation but have little value in game terms. In order to reflect this extra training, allow a new character to choose one feat tied to their background.

For each background option, tie three feats to it that can be chosen from at first level. It might even work to allow ability boosts instead of a feat.

It will be necessary to balance each background with three boosts that fit logically and offer varying effects. I like having one more powerful or focused feat, one that bumps an ability by +1, and the option of bumping two abilities by +1 each.

This is my initial attempt. I set it up so that each background offers unique options for the initial feat (yellow are basic feats, peach have prerequisites, and blue include an ability boost). There are multiple Magic Initiates, but each background is tied to a specific class of spellcaster.

Using this chart, the player chooses the background they want from the left-hand column, then chooses one of three options for that background. They choose Feat Option 1, Feat Option 2, or an Ability Boost in the two abilities listed (+1 to each).

I feel like it will need adjustment as we test it out, but it feels like a good start. It might not be necessary to keep the feat options unique, but I like the idea that each background offers a different skill set. I think this works best in place of the variant human option, as a variant character option for all races.

No.	Background	Feat Option 1	Feat Option 2	Ability Boost
1	Acolyte	Magic Initiate: Cleric	Keen Mind	Wis		Int
2	Anthropologist	Healer	Observant	Str		Wis
3	Archaologist	Dungeon Delver	Linguist	Dex		Int
4	Charlatan	Lucky	Actor	Cha		Str
5	City Watch	Grappler	Gr Weapon Master	Con		Str
6	Criminal	Skulker	Crossbow Expert	Dex		Cha
7	Entertainer	Magic Initiate: Bard	Tavern Brawler	Cha		Int
8	Faction Agent	Alert	Martial Adept	Con		Wis
9	Folk Hero	Innspiring Leader	Resilient	Cha		Wis
10	Guild Artisan	Skilled	Sentinel	Int		Str
11	Hermit	Magic Initiate: Druid	Durable	Wis		Con
12	Noble	Defensive Duelist	Mounted Combatant	Int		Cha
13	Outlander	Magic Initiate: Warlock	Sharpshooter	Con		Dex
14	Sage	Magic Initiate: Wizard	Ritual Caster	Int		Dex
15	Sailor	Dual Wielder	Athlete	Str		Dex
16	Soldier	Lightly Armored	Weapon Master	Str		Con
17	Urchin	Mobile	Tough	Wis		Con