D&D 5E If "Extra Attack" Was A Feat, What Would Its Prerequisites Be?

[Vaalingrade]

So question: is the intent to not let the martial get an extra Extra Attack?

 

[billd91]

Assuming I thought a feat like this would be a good idea (big assumption), there's no way it should be available to any class before it's a class power in effect for the primary martial classes. So level > 4 is a must. At that point, it might as well be 8th unless you're factoring in the idea it would be OK if someone took it as their 4th level feat after multiclassing in something else first. Me, I'm not so sure I'd be keen on some one even tying a fighter's ability to get it by taking 1 level in a class + 4 as a cleric. So my recommendation would be 8th level.

As far as a frequently suggested martial weapon proficiency requirement... why? I would think a cleric is just as likely interested in bashing twice a round with a mace as with a warhammer. It seems like an unnecessary requirement. It either pushes them to multi class as a fighter-type anyway or if just one weapon proficiency is OK, picking an ancestry that gives proficiency in at least 1 martial weapon. I'd skip it entirely and just go with level.

So, my final suggestion - Prerequisite: 8th level

Edit: And I suppose I should add a caveat that I wouldn't change the class powers that grant Extra Attack a bit. They're fine as they are. This would be as a feat available to other characters or weird multi class choices.

 

[Minigiant]

So question: is the intent to not let the martial get an extra Extra Attack?

This is why the reason matters.

You can't say "Balance adding X. It doesn't matter why we are adding X"

The reason determines what you are balancing the feat against.

 

[Charlaquin]

Don't they already get Extra Attack at 5th level?

I thought you were proposing changing it to a Feat though?

 

[CreamCloud0]

Cutting off anyone from taking the EA feat who already gets EA just makes this feel like another way for casters to encroach into martial’s area of expertise which is why I tried to make my version equally desirable for all classes, leaning slightly towards those who are likely to already wanting to be making weapon attacks.

 

[TwoSix]

Absolutely disagree they arent overpowered. Sword bards in particular are egregious. Bards basically trade one feat and 1 HP per level for full casting in the levels people actually play. The base bard chassis is so much better than the base fighter it's ridiculous.

If your argument is "well, they're already outclassed, so what's one more nail in the coffin" I guess I can't argue.

I mean, I think most of us comfortable with a certain amount of CharOp are already aware of that.

If you're using fighter in your build, obviously you wanted Extra Attack, but it wasn't FOR Extra Attack.

No one should have a knee-jerk "But TEH FIGTHA!" reaction. The better question is "What strong builds would this feat make too strong?"

 

[CleverNickName]

So question: is the intent to not let the martial get an extra Extra Attack?

Nope, the intent is to provide a way for characters that wouldn't normally get the Extra Attack feature to get it, and without having to multiclass.

The thing is, I really don't like the way that multiclassing works in 5E, so I'm looking for other ways to mix-and-match class features. Feats were a logical first place to start.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

Cutting off anyone from taking the EA feat who already gets EA just makes this feel like another way for casters to encroach into martial’s area of expertise which is why I tried to make my version equally desirable for all classes, leaning slightly towards those who are likely to already wanting to be making weapon attacks.

There are other reasons. How about a Rogue 5 / Champion Fighter 3? They don't want the 2 extra levels of fighter, but still want to feel like they are part fighter. Seems like a reasonable scenario to want Extra Attack without investing 2 more levels in a class that you don't find all that interesting.

I don't think this would have a big impact on improving casters. More likely it would be multiclass builds like the Warlock or Sorcerer and Paladin.

 

[Clint_L]

I just disagree with the premise. If you've made up your mind to do it, you should reconsider. Especially the version as described by the OP; that would be a mandatory feat for every class and subclass. Except fighters. Who get boned.

A feat that is mandatory is a bad idea - it just reduces choice and variety. What other feat even approaches this much value?

Extra attack should require the serious investment of taking 5 levels in a class that gets it. Even at that cost, people still go for it. What prerequisites compare to "take 5/11/17 levels of fighter"?

 

[deganawida]

Personally, I’d only let Rogues take it, or just bake it into Rogue. I mean, Bard, a full caster, has two subclasses which get it, while poor Rogue is the only martial class that does not.