Talents and Subclasses

I always liked the concept of feats.

Way back in early 2000, I had the chance to playtest 3e. When the rules packet showed up at my apartment (this is the Olde Days, when stuff was printed and mailed to you), I couldn't wait to tear into it.

Feats leaped out as one the most interesting changes to the game. Characters could now pick up mini class features, giving you a new way to customize your PC.

Over time, I think feats have become lost in the shuffle. They ranged from pointless to game breaking in power. 5e de-emphasized them, making them completely optional and taken in place of ability score boosts.

I want talents, my version of feats, to fulfill that potential I saw 25 years ago (allow me a moment to die of old age). To do that, I am also putting the weight of subclasses on them. As you have seen from the design I've posted, classes have baked in options and choice points, such as the thief's schemes.

Talents go beyond that. Where each class can customize within its domain, talents allow you to add wildly different aspects to your character. While talents have prereqs based on abilities, they are never tied to specific classes.

Big picture, talents combine subclasses, feats, and prestige classes into one category, then makes them optional. Like backgrounds, you can ignore them if you wish for a streamlined game, one that feels more old school, or if you want to keep things easy for a one shot.

Structurally, talents give you static benefits that are effectively power neutral. They don't provide a direct boost to damage, but they do give you more strategic tools you can use on adventures.

Talents also provide more resolve outlets, typically giving you a one, two, and three point option. Since these cost resolve, they can deliver attacks and damage boosts. Giving all characters access to spell-like levels of power opens up a ton of options. A set of necromancer talents can let you create skeletons and zombies simply by charging the appropriate resolve cost. A firespeaker talent set can conjure elementals and ignite things. The sharpshooter set can boost damage and accuracy with ranged weapons, or provide access to trick shots.

Talents

Talents are special features that you can use to customize your character. Talents are restricted by your abilities, race, class, or other elements.

Optional Rule. Talents are an optional rule. You can ignore the in a game where you prefer streamlined, simpler characters. The DM might also customize the list of available talents to reflect the campaign setting and tone.

Gaining Talents. All characters gain talents at 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 9th level. As a default, you pick a talent category and gain its listed talents at the appropriate level. As an optional rule, you can mix and match talents from different categories.

Leadership Talents

Each of the following talents requires an untrained Charisma of +1 or higher.

2nd Level: Bold Leadership

You use your trained Charisma bonus when making initiative checks.

4th Level: Coordinated Action

You’ve been in plenty of tight spots and have learned over the years that the best path forward is the one you take together. When making a group check, you grant a +2 bonus to everyone making that check with you.

6th Level: Lead the Way

On your turn, you can use your action and spend 1 resolve to grant an action to an ally. That ally immediately uses an action.

9th Level: Rally the Troops

During the intentions phase of a round, you can deliver a stirring monologue to your allies and spend 2 resolve. Creatures of your choice heal 10 hit points and have advantage on all checks and attacks this round.

Shadow Walker Talents

Each of the following talents requires an untrained Dexterity of +2 or higher, allegiance, to a powerful entity chosen by the DM, or membership in an organization of the DM's creation. The DM may opt to allow you to create this entity or group.

2nd Level: Shadow Cloak

You can attempt to hide in bright light that is within 10 feet of dim light.

4th Level: Shadow Jaunt

In place of moving, if you are in an area of dim light you can spend 1 resolve teleport up to 20 feet to another area of dim light you can see. You can break this up into two separate teleports totaling up to 20 feet.

6th Level: One with Shadow

You can spend 2 resolve to gain the benefits of the invisibility spell.

9th Level: Spectral Step

In place of moving and using your action, you can spend 3 resolve and phase through an object that is up to 10 feet thick. You materialize on the opposite side of the object from where you stand.

Toughness Talents

Each of the following talents requires an untrained Constitution of +1 or higher.

2nd Level: Tough Bulwark

You gain a bonus to your maximum hit points equal to your level. As you gain levels, this bonus increases.

4th Level: Pack Mule

You gain 4 additional encumbrance slots.

6th Level: Too Tough to Die

When you would gain a failed death save, you can spend 2 resolve to not gain it.

9th Level: Tireless

You can spend 3 resolve to heal hit points equal to double your level.