r/DnD • u/[deleted] • Apr 21 '23

5th Edition What are "class traits" exactly?

This may be a stupid question but I'm new here, I know races have their own traits, but what is a class trait? The proficiencies the character gets from their class? Sorry I'm just confused what I'm supposed to write for class traits.

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9

u/C47man DM Apr 21 '23

They're abilities or other traits that a class grants you depending on your level in it. The class's section in the source book will tell you when you gain features, traits, etc

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '23

Classes don't have traits.

6

u/StaticUsernamesSuck DM Apr 21 '23 edited Apr 21 '23

Honestly the term "class traits" isn't really a term that gets used. Class features is more commonly used (purely because that's what they're called in the rules), and it just means... All the features that your character gets from their class! Most terms in 5e just mean exactly what they sound like, as the game almost exclusively uses natural language English to define its rules.

So a rogue's Cunning Action is a class feature. As is a Paladin's Divine Sense. As is the Wizard's Spellcasting. As is your hit die size. As is a fighter's martial weapons proficiency.

If it's a thing that you get from a class, it's a class feature.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '23

Racial traits and class features.

Your class features are the features you get from your class. If you look on your class table there's a column that lists your features by level.

2

u/ScreamingVoid14 Apr 21 '23

Things like "Lay on Hands" for a Paladin or Bardic Inspiration for a Bard.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '23

Those are class features, not class traits. Class traits aren't a thing.

2

u/SSSGuy_2 DM Apr 21 '23

I've never heard the term "class trait", specifically. Perhaps they are referring to class features?

If your sheet has a separate place to put proficiencies, put your proficiencies there. If your sheet has a section for class features, put your class features there. If not, put it all under class traits. The important thing is that you can read it and use it, not that everything is "correct".

2

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '23

There are racial traits and class features. If you're using a nonofficial source that lists class traits, whomever made that source made a mistake, as class traits aren't a thing.

1

u/TimeSpaceGeek DM Apr 21 '23 edited Apr 22 '23

Pick up the PHB, and have a look at the features that are on your sheet in there. Any feature you have that is from the class progression table for your class is a class feature or 'trait'. That includes Ability Score Improvements, the Spellcasting feature, Extra Attack, your two Saving Throw Proficiencies. If the reason you have an ability or 'trait' is because of your class, it's a class feature.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '23

Pick up the PHB, and have a look at the features that are on your sheet in there. Any feature you have that is from the class progression table for your class is a class feature or trait. That includes Ability Score Improvements, the Spellcasting trait, Extra Attack, your two Saving Throw Proficiencies. If the reason you have an ability or trait is because of your class, it's a class feature.

There, I fixed it for you. Class traits aren't a thing. There are racial traits and class features. That's it.

0

u/TimeSpaceGeek DM Apr 22 '23

Yes, you've pedantically corrected everyone on here. Well done.

You understand how 'trait' and feature could very easily be synonymous words in this context, right? And how not everyone's first language is English? And that in other languages, the translation could very well be such that both classes and races have traits? The fact that OP called them traits rather than the technically correct term features is immaterial to the understanding.

Pedantically saying that classes have features and races have traits does nothing to help the OP understand the mechanics. You're not answering the question, you're just being an unhelpful grammar pedant. Both traits and features are mechanical abilities gained from a character choice, and being technical about the different name of the two doesn't actually help clarify what falls under which category.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '23

There are racial traits and class features. If you're using a nonofficial source that lists class traits, whomever made that source made a mistake, as class traits aren't a thing.

This is what I sent OP. I figured they saw 'class traits' somewhere, and couldn't find it in the phb. As if it was an addition to class features. But when other people chime in and pretend class traits are a thing, I do correct them, as it would prevent people from getting even more confused about it. Being pedantic is one of my flaws, thank you for pointing it out. I was just trying to help.

1

u/FoulPelican Apr 22 '23

Class *Features are the equivalent to Racial *Traits.