The alert feat is incredibly powerful because it fundamentally changes how combat starts in your favor (this is especially true in tactician and honor modes where getting caught off-guard means death). Let me explain why this works so well: you're getting a massive +5 to initiative rolls which, when combined with the d4 system, practically guarantees you'll move first in most encounters. This matters because whoever acts first often controls how the entire fight plays out.

Something interesting to consider is how this completely nullifies surprise mechanics, which means those nasty ambushes from hidden enemies won't catch you flat-footed anymore. You can use this to your advantage by setting up powerful area control spells or neutralizing dangerous enemies before they even get a chance to act (those enemy spellcasters and archers should always be your priority targets).

What makes alert particularly neat is how it helps characters who'd normally be slower to react. Think about clerics or heavily armored fighters who typically have lower dexterity - this feat lets them compete for those crucial first turns. You might want to consider grabbing this on shadowheart, by the way, since she really benefits from setting up her support spells early. And here's something many players overlook: alert works amazingly well with stealth tactics, because even if enemies spot you while you're setting up an ambush, you'll still likely act before them thanks to that initiative bonus. Just remember that while alert is incredibly strong, it's not mandatory - though once you've experienced going first consistently, it's hard to go back to playing without it.