Bonus Feats in D&D 3.5E

[the_archduke]

Quick question I hope somebody has the answer to.

If I get a feat as a bonus feat from a class, say alertness or endurance and then at a later level another PRC grants me the exact same feat as a bonus feat what happens?

Do I get nothing at that level? (which would suck)

Do I get to pick a different feat? (possibly overpowered)

Is there a rule on this?

[tyckspoon]

Depends on the source and if the writer thought to make any provisions for it. There is no general rule- if you get the feat twice, you have the feat twice, and for most feats that's the same as getting nothing because they don't stack with themselves. Some classes give a different effect if you already have the feat it would have granted. Some say to pick a different feat you qualify for as a replacement. Some just say to pick a different bonus feat (those are relatively rare, but quite silly when they come up because you can attempt to pick any dang thing you want. Your DM may disagree, but you can try.)

But in the case where no 'if you already have this feat' wording was added: You get nothing, unless it's one of the feats that can be taken multiple times.

[Dr.Epic]

Pretty sure you get nothing though unless otherwise stated.

[PlzBreakMyCmpAn]

Pretty sure you get nothing though unless otherwise stated.This. Though a Min/max'er will have DCFS'd away the first iteration before the second came along. :smallwink:

[Zaq]

RAW, you get nothing.

At the table, if it's a wimpy feat like (as you mentioned) Alertness or Endurance, a lot of GMs will let them stack, like Alertness, or let you get another feat of similar theme and power level, like Endurance -> Toughness, for example... yes, (non-Azure) Toughness sucks, but so does Endurance, so it's roughly on par with what you'd be getting if you weren't doubling up anyway. Can't hurt to ask.

[Thurbane]

http://www.bifsniff.com/wp-content/files/2007/01/wonka-shines.gif

[Defiant]

Marshal Excerpt: (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20030906b)

Skill Focus (Diplomacy): Because a marshal has a way with people, he gains this feat as a bonus feat. If the marshal already has the feat, he can choose a different one.

This is an example of a feat capable of being swapped for any other feat, if you already have it. Unfortunately, if the text doesn't specify, then you get nothing.

[HunterOfJello]

Some feats get a bonus in a line. Ex: Uncanny Dodge -> Improved Uncanny Dodge.

Some feats you can only take once and get once. Ex: Alterness

Some feats are replaceable by alternate class features. Ex: Always replace Trap Sense +1 when playing a rogue. (You can get Penetrating Strike or other nifty abilities instead.)

~

Analyze whether you can take another feat in the line or replace one of the feats with an alternate class features (or racial substitution level for that matter).


Worst case scenario, if you're about to take a feat twice that can't apply twice, talk to your DM. If your DM isn't a total douche, he'll let you stack the feats or substitute in a minor feat like one of the "+2 to X Skill and +2 to Y Skill feats".

*edit*

For racial substitution information check out the Base Classes section at Crystal Keep (http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/index.php).

For alternate class features check out Unearthed Arcana or search google for "X Handbook" where X is the name of the class you're searching for.

[Tyndmyr]

This. Though a Min/max'er will have DCFS'd away the first iteration before the second came along. :smallwink:

Min maxer here. Chaos shuffle costs money or spell slots.

The PHB 2 retraining rules cost nothing, and are the perfect solution to the situation. IE, swap for another feat on level up.

[Douglas]

The PHB 2 retraining rules cost nothing, and are the perfect solution to the situation. IE, swap for another feat on level up.
That only works if you're allowed to choose the feat in the first place, though. If you get X specific feat as a bonus feat rather than a bonus feat of your choice from a list, you can't retrain it.

[Tyger]

That only works if you're allowed to choose the feat in the first place, though. If you get X specific feat as a bonus feat rather than a bonus feat of your choice from a list, you can't retrain it.

Yup, but you could retrain the original one instead. Problem solved. Assuming your DM allows said retraining of course.

[Douglas]

Yup, but you could retrain the original one instead. Problem solved. Assuming your DM allows said retraining of course.
Ah, but the scenario in question is where both occurrences of the feat are specific bonus feats.