A common house rules in many Dungeons and Dragons Games are to allow players to take a “starting feat” at the first level. Feats tend to open up some additional actions and options for characters, and take one at first level Lets players individualize their character a little more right from the jump. It also allows DMs to have slightly more difficult encounters while giving their early-level players a chance for survival. However, this was a house rule, not something officially supported by Wizards of the Coast.
That is, until the release of the 2024 Player’s HandbookWhich brought a handful of changes to how players build their characters. The largest alterations relate to character origins, which include player background and species, and With the new rules, players choose a feat right at level one. Now, the feat is tailored to their background and chosen from a set of options reworked to function in earlier levels. This change brings some official support to a rule many tables enjoy already using.
How the new Origin of D&D works in the 2024 Player’s Handbook
Give characters a little more power in the beginning
The 2024 Player’s Handbook Includes sixteen new background options, mostly revised versions of previously existing backgrounds such as the criminal and soldier. Along with them are ten reworked “original” feats, newer versions of classics like Skill and Magic Begin, as well as Two completely new feats: Musician and Crafter. Depending on which backgrounds option players choose, they gain one of these feats during character creation.
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Importantly, none of these options are “half fits,” which give an additional ability score point. This eliminates the option of using a starting feat to get ahead in this way. In fact, all the fits have been reworked to try to make them more balanced with one another. that is, Certain options like Lucky stand out as better than othersLike the new version of the agile feat. Still, the official version of the Starter Fit rule certainly imposes some restrictions to make sure that the balance between party members is not as affected.
How the creation of new characters differs from the common house rule
More structure eliminates certain overpowered D&D builds
The main difference here is that The choice of fights is much more limited, Both in general and depending on the character origins of players. This is probably a good thing overall, as it keeps players from taking something like Crusher or Pious at level one and breaking the balance of the game. And it is worth noting that the rule is not entirely new: Certain backgrounds available in earlier content, such as those from SpacejammerAlready included feats as part of their abilities.
This rule will not wildly change the game or how the characters are made Dungeons & Dragons. But it will provide a little more structure to the process and make it easier for newer players to create characters that feel powerful and fun to play. It will also help deal with some of the inconsistencies in the content of the 5th edition, Streamlining the character creation process.