diff --git a/hacking/build_library/build_ansible/command_plugins/dump_keywords.py b/hacking/build_library/build_ansible/command_plugins/dump_keywords.py
index 481df411b49..e9379317f96 100644
--- a/hacking/build_library/build_ansible/command_plugins/dump_keywords.py
+++ b/hacking/build_library/build_ansible/command_plugins/dump_keywords.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def extract_keywords(keyword_definitions):
 
         # Maintain order of the actual class names for our output
         # Build up a mapping of playbook classes to the attributes that they hold
-        pb_keywords[pb_class_name] = {k: v for (k, v) in playbook_class._valid_attrs.items()
+        pb_keywords[pb_class_name] = {k: v for (k, v) in playbook_class.fattributes.items()
                                       # Filter private attributes as they're not usable in playbooks
                                       if not v.private}
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def extract_keywords(keyword_definitions):
                 pb_keywords[pb_class_name][keyword] = keyword_definitions[keyword]
             else:
                 # check if there is an alias, otherwise undocumented
-                alias = getattr(getattr(playbook_class, '_%s' % keyword), 'alias', None)
+                alias = getattr(playbook_class.fattributes.get(keyword), 'alias', None)
                 if alias and alias in keyword_definitions:
                     pb_keywords[pb_class_name][alias] = keyword_definitions[alias]
                     del pb_keywords[pb_class_name][keyword]
diff --git a/lib/ansible/cli/doc.py b/lib/ansible/cli/doc.py
index 5aa46e7d09d..9a047a2784b 100755
--- a/lib/ansible/cli/doc.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/cli/doc.py
@@ -590,13 +590,13 @@ class DocCLI(CLI, RoleMixin):
                         loaded_class = importlib.import_module(obj_class)
                         PB_LOADED[pobj] = getattr(loaded_class, pobj, None)
 
-                    if keyword in PB_LOADED[pobj]._valid_attrs:
+                    if keyword in PB_LOADED[pobj].fattributes:
                         kdata['applies_to'].append(pobj)
 
                         # we should only need these once
                         if 'type' not in kdata:
 
-                            fa = getattr(PB_LOADED[pobj], '_%s' % keyword)
+                            fa = PB_LOADED[pobj].fattributes.get(keyword)
                             if getattr(fa, 'private'):
                                 kdata = {}
                                 raise KeyError
diff --git a/lib/ansible/parsing/mod_args.py b/lib/ansible/parsing/mod_args.py
index f40631e8dda..aeb58b06ddc 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/parsing/mod_args.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/parsing/mod_args.py
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ class ModuleArgsParser:
         from ansible.playbook.task import Task
         from ansible.playbook.handler import Handler
         # store the valid Task/Handler attrs for quick access
-        self._task_attrs = set(Task._valid_attrs.keys())
-        self._task_attrs.update(set(Handler._valid_attrs.keys()))
+        self._task_attrs = set(Task.fattributes)
+        self._task_attrs.update(set(Handler.fattributes))
         # HACK: why are these not FieldAttributes on task with a post-validate to check usage?
         self._task_attrs.update(['local_action', 'static'])
         self._task_attrs = frozenset(self._task_attrs)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/attribute.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/attribute.py
index 36f7c792fad..b28405d2430 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/attribute.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/attribute.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 from copy import copy, deepcopy
 
+from ansible.utils.sentinel import Sentinel
 
 _CONTAINERS = frozenset(('list', 'dict', 'set'))
 
@@ -37,10 +38,7 @@ class Attribute:
         priority=0,
         class_type=None,
         always_post_validate=False,
-        inherit=True,
         alias=None,
-        extend=False,
-        prepend=False,
         static=False,
     ):
 
@@ -70,9 +68,6 @@ class Attribute:
             the field will be an instance of that class.
         :kwarg always_post_validate: Controls whether a field should be post
             validated or not (default: False).
-        :kwarg inherit: A boolean value, which controls whether the object
-            containing this field should attempt to inherit the value from its
-            parent object if the local value is None.
         :kwarg alias: An alias to use for the attribute name, for situations where
             the attribute name may conflict with a Python reserved word.
         """
@@ -85,15 +80,15 @@ class Attribute:
         self.priority = priority
         self.class_type = class_type
         self.always_post_validate = always_post_validate
-        self.inherit = inherit
         self.alias = alias
-        self.extend = extend
-        self.prepend = prepend
         self.static = static
 
         if default is not None and self.isa in _CONTAINERS and not callable(default):
             raise TypeError('defaults for FieldAttribute may not be mutable, please provide a callable instead')
 
+    def __set_name__(self, owner, name):
+        self.name = name
+
     def __eq__(self, other):
         return other.priority == self.priority
 
@@ -114,6 +109,94 @@ class Attribute:
     def __ge__(self, other):
         return other.priority >= self.priority
 
+    def __get__(self, obj, obj_type=None):
+        method = f'_get_attr_{self.name}'
+        if hasattr(obj, method):
+            # NOTE this appears to be not used in the codebase,
+            # _get_attr_connection has been replaced by ConnectionFieldAttribute.
+            # Leaving it here for test_attr_method from
+            # test/units/playbook/test_base.py to pass and for backwards compat.
+            if getattr(obj, '_squashed', False):
+                value = getattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', Sentinel)
+            else:
+                value = getattr(obj, method)()
+        else:
+            value = getattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', Sentinel)
+
+        if value is Sentinel:
+            value = self.default
+            if callable(value):
+                value = value()
+                setattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', value)
+
+        return value
+
+    def __set__(self, obj, value):
+        setattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', value)
+        if self.alias is not None:
+            setattr(obj, f'_{self.alias}', value)
+
+    # NOTE this appears to be not needed in the codebase,
+    # leaving it here for test_attr_int_del from
+    # test/units/playbook/test_base.py to pass.
+    def __delete__(self, obj):
+        delattr(obj, f'_{self.name}')
+
+
+class NonInheritableFieldAttribute(Attribute):
+    ...
+
 
 class FieldAttribute(Attribute):
-    pass
+    def __init__(self, extend=False, prepend=False, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(**kwargs)
+
+        self.extend = extend
+        self.prepend = prepend
+
+    def __get__(self, obj, obj_type=None):
+        if getattr(obj, '_squashed', False) or getattr(obj, '_finalized', False):
+            value = getattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', Sentinel)
+        else:
+            try:
+                value = obj._get_parent_attribute(self.name)
+            except AttributeError:
+                method = f'_get_attr_{self.name}'
+                if hasattr(obj, method):
+                    # NOTE this appears to be not needed in the codebase,
+                    # _get_attr_connection has been replaced by ConnectionFieldAttribute.
+                    # Leaving it here for test_attr_method from
+                    # test/units/playbook/test_base.py to pass and for backwards compat.
+                    if getattr(obj, '_squashed', False):
+                        value = getattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', Sentinel)
+                    else:
+                        value = getattr(obj, method)()
+                else:
+                    value = getattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', Sentinel)
+
+        if value is Sentinel:
+            value = self.default
+            if callable(value):
+                value = value()
+                setattr(obj, f'_{self.name}', value)
+
+        return value
+
+
+class ConnectionFieldAttribute(FieldAttribute):
+    def __get__(self, obj, obj_type=None):
+        from ansible.module_utils.compat.paramiko import paramiko
+        from ansible.utils.ssh_functions import check_for_controlpersist
+        value = super().__get__(obj, obj_type)
+
+        if value == 'smart':
+            value = 'ssh'
+            # see if SSH can support ControlPersist if not use paramiko
+            if not check_for_controlpersist('ssh') and paramiko is not None:
+                value = "paramiko"
+
+        # if someone did `connection: persistent`, default it to using a persistent paramiko connection to avoid problems
+        elif value == 'persistent' and paramiko is not None:
+            value = 'paramiko'
+
+        return value
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/base.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/base.py
index e8cfe741b6d..8837dd4f47f 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/base.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/base.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import operator
 import os
 
 from copy import copy as shallowcopy
-from functools import partial
 
 from jinja2.exceptions import UndefinedError
 
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ from ansible.module_utils.six import string_types
 from ansible.module_utils.parsing.convert_bool import boolean
 from ansible.module_utils._text import to_text, to_native
 from ansible.parsing.dataloader import DataLoader
-from ansible.playbook.attribute import Attribute, FieldAttribute
+from ansible.playbook.attribute import Attribute, FieldAttribute, ConnectionFieldAttribute, NonInheritableFieldAttribute
 from ansible.plugins.loader import module_loader, action_loader
 from ansible.utils.collection_loader._collection_finder import _get_collection_metadata, AnsibleCollectionRef
 from ansible.utils.display import Display
@@ -31,54 +30,6 @@ from ansible.utils.vars import combine_vars, isidentifier, get_unique_id
 display = Display()
 
 
-def _generic_g(prop_name, self):
-    try:
-        value = self._attributes[prop_name]
-    except KeyError:
-        raise AttributeError("'%s' does not have the keyword '%s'" % (self.__class__.__name__, prop_name))
-
-    if value is Sentinel:
-        value = self._attr_defaults[prop_name]
-
-    return value
-
-
-def _generic_g_method(prop_name, self):
-    try:
-        if self._squashed:
-            return self._attributes[prop_name]
-        method = "_get_attr_%s" % prop_name
-        return getattr(self, method)()
-    except KeyError:
-        raise AttributeError("'%s' does not support the keyword '%s'" % (self.__class__.__name__, prop_name))
-
-
-def _generic_g_parent(prop_name, self):
-    try:
-        if self._squashed or self._finalized:
-            value = self._attributes[prop_name]
-        else:
-            try:
-                value = self._get_parent_attribute(prop_name)
-            except AttributeError:
-                value = self._attributes[prop_name]
-    except KeyError:
-        raise AttributeError("'%s' nor it's parents support the keyword '%s'" % (self.__class__.__name__, prop_name))
-
-    if value is Sentinel:
-        value = self._attr_defaults[prop_name]
-
-    return value
-
-
-def _generic_s(prop_name, self, value):
-    self._attributes[prop_name] = value
-
-
-def _generic_d(prop_name, self):
-    del self._attributes[prop_name]
-
-
 def _validate_action_group_metadata(action, found_group_metadata, fq_group_name):
     valid_metadata = {
         'extend_group': {
@@ -118,83 +69,30 @@ def _validate_action_group_metadata(action, found_group_metadata, fq_group_name)
         display.warning(" ".join(metadata_warnings))
 
 
-class BaseMeta(type):
-
-    """
-    Metaclass for the Base object, which is used to construct the class
-    attributes based on the FieldAttributes available.
-    """
-
-    def __new__(cls, name, parents, dct):
-        def _create_attrs(src_dict, dst_dict):
-            '''
-            Helper method which creates the attributes based on those in the
-            source dictionary of attributes. This also populates the other
-            attributes used to keep track of these attributes and via the
-            getter/setter/deleter methods.
-            '''
-            keys = list(src_dict.keys())
-            for attr_name in keys:
-                value = src_dict[attr_name]
-                if isinstance(value, Attribute):
-                    if attr_name.startswith('_'):
-                        attr_name = attr_name[1:]
-
-                    # here we selectively assign the getter based on a few
-                    # things, such as whether we have a _get_attr_<name>
-                    # method, or if the attribute is marked as not inheriting
-                    # its value from a parent object
-                    method = "_get_attr_%s" % attr_name
-                    try:
-                        if method in src_dict or method in dst_dict:
-                            getter = partial(_generic_g_method, attr_name)
-                        elif ('_get_parent_attribute' in dst_dict or '_get_parent_attribute' in src_dict) and value.inherit:
-                            getter = partial(_generic_g_parent, attr_name)
-                        else:
-                            getter = partial(_generic_g, attr_name)
-                    except AttributeError as e:
-                        raise AnsibleParserError("Invalid playbook definition: %s" % to_native(e), orig_exc=e)
-
-                    setter = partial(_generic_s, attr_name)
-                    deleter = partial(_generic_d, attr_name)
-
-                    dst_dict[attr_name] = property(getter, setter, deleter)
-                    dst_dict['_valid_attrs'][attr_name] = value
-                    dst_dict['_attributes'][attr_name] = Sentinel
-                    dst_dict['_attr_defaults'][attr_name] = value.default
-
-                    if value.alias is not None:
-                        dst_dict[value.alias] = property(getter, setter, deleter)
-                        dst_dict['_valid_attrs'][value.alias] = value
-                        dst_dict['_alias_attrs'][value.alias] = attr_name
-
-        def _process_parents(parents, dst_dict):
-            '''
-            Helper method which creates attributes from all parent objects
-            recursively on through grandparent objects
-            '''
-            for parent in parents:
-                if hasattr(parent, '__dict__'):
-                    _create_attrs(parent.__dict__, dst_dict)
-                    new_dst_dict = parent.__dict__.copy()
-                    new_dst_dict.update(dst_dict)
-                    _process_parents(parent.__bases__, new_dst_dict)
-
-        # create some additional class attributes
-        dct['_attributes'] = {}
-        dct['_attr_defaults'] = {}
-        dct['_valid_attrs'] = {}
-        dct['_alias_attrs'] = {}
-
-        # now create the attributes based on the FieldAttributes
-        # available, including from parent (and grandparent) objects
-        _create_attrs(dct, dct)
-        _process_parents(parents, dct)
-
-        return super(BaseMeta, cls).__new__(cls, name, parents, dct)
-
-
-class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
+# FIXME use @property and @classmethod together which is possible since Python 3.9
+class _FABMeta(type):
+
+    @property
+    def fattributes(cls):
+        # FIXME is this worth caching?
+        fattributes = {}
+        for class_obj in reversed(cls.__mro__):
+            for name, attr in list(class_obj.__dict__.items()):
+                if not isinstance(attr, Attribute):
+                    continue
+                fattributes[name] = attr
+                if attr.alias:
+                    setattr(class_obj, attr.alias, attr)
+                    fattributes[attr.alias] = attr
+        return fattributes
+
+
+class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=_FABMeta):
+
+    # FIXME use @property and @classmethod together which is possible since Python 3.9
+    @property
+    def fattributes(self):
+        return self.__class__.fattributes
 
     def __init__(self):
 
@@ -211,17 +109,7 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         # every object gets a random uuid:
         self._uuid = get_unique_id()
 
-        # we create a copy of the attributes here due to the fact that
-        # it was initialized as a class param in the meta class, so we
-        # need a unique object here (all members contained within are
-        # unique already).
-        self._attributes = self.__class__._attributes.copy()
-        self._attr_defaults = self.__class__._attr_defaults.copy()
-        for key, value in self._attr_defaults.items():
-            if callable(value):
-                self._attr_defaults[key] = value()
-
-        # and init vars, avoid using defaults in field declaration as it lives across plays
+        # init vars, avoid using defaults in field declaration as it lives across plays
         self.vars = dict()
 
     @property
@@ -273,17 +161,14 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
 
         # Walk all attributes in the class. We sort them based on their priority
         # so that certain fields can be loaded before others, if they are dependent.
-        for name, attr in sorted(self._valid_attrs.items(), key=operator.itemgetter(1)):
+        for name, attr in sorted(self.fattributes.items(), key=operator.itemgetter(1)):
             # copy the value over unless a _load_field method is defined
-            target_name = name
-            if name in self._alias_attrs:
-                target_name = self._alias_attrs[name]
             if name in ds:
                 method = getattr(self, '_load_%s' % name, None)
                 if method:
-                    self._attributes[target_name] = method(name, ds[name])
+                    setattr(self, name, method(name, ds[name]))
                 else:
-                    self._attributes[target_name] = ds[name]
+                    setattr(self, name, ds[name])
 
         # run early, non-critical validation
         self.validate()
@@ -316,7 +201,7 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         not map to attributes for this object.
         '''
 
-        valid_attrs = frozenset(self._valid_attrs.keys())
+        valid_attrs = frozenset(self.fattributes)
         for key in ds:
             if key not in valid_attrs:
                 raise AnsibleParserError("'%s' is not a valid attribute for a %s" % (key, self.__class__.__name__), obj=ds)
@@ -327,18 +212,14 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
 
         if not self._validated:
             # walk all fields in the object
-            for (name, attribute) in self._valid_attrs.items():
-
-                if name in self._alias_attrs:
-                    name = self._alias_attrs[name]
-
+            for (name, attribute) in self.fattributes.items():
                 # run validator only if present
                 method = getattr(self, '_validate_%s' % name, None)
                 if method:
                     method(attribute, name, getattr(self, name))
                 else:
                     # and make sure the attribute is of the type it should be
-                    value = self._attributes[name]
+                    value = getattr(self, name)
                     if value is not None:
                         if attribute.isa == 'string' and isinstance(value, (list, dict)):
                             raise AnsibleParserError(
@@ -528,8 +409,8 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         parent attributes.
         '''
         if not self._squashed:
-            for name in self._valid_attrs.keys():
-                self._attributes[name] = getattr(self, name)
+            for name in self.fattributes:
+                setattr(self, name, getattr(self, name))
             self._squashed = True
 
     def copy(self):
@@ -542,11 +423,8 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         except RuntimeError as e:
             raise AnsibleError("Exceeded maximum object depth. This may have been caused by excessive role recursion", orig_exc=e)
 
-        for name in self._valid_attrs.keys():
-            if name in self._alias_attrs:
-                continue
-            new_me._attributes[name] = shallowcopy(self._attributes[name])
-            new_me._attr_defaults[name] = shallowcopy(self._attr_defaults[name])
+        for name in self.fattributes:
+            setattr(new_me, name, shallowcopy(getattr(self, f'_{name}', Sentinel)))
 
         new_me._loader = self._loader
         new_me._variable_manager = self._variable_manager
@@ -621,8 +499,7 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         # save the omit value for later checking
         omit_value = templar.available_variables.get('omit')
 
-        for (name, attribute) in self._valid_attrs.items():
-
+        for (name, attribute) in self.fattributes.items():
             if attribute.static:
                 value = getattr(self, name)
 
@@ -748,7 +625,7 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         Dumps all attributes to a dictionary
         '''
         attrs = {}
-        for (name, attribute) in self._valid_attrs.items():
+        for (name, attribute) in self.fattributes.items():
             attr = getattr(self, name)
             if attribute.isa == 'class' and hasattr(attr, 'serialize'):
                 attrs[name] = attr.serialize()
@@ -761,8 +638,8 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         Loads attributes from a dictionary
         '''
         for (attr, value) in attrs.items():
-            if attr in self._valid_attrs:
-                attribute = self._valid_attrs[attr]
+            if attr in self.fattributes:
+                attribute = self.fattributes[attr]
                 if attribute.isa == 'class' and isinstance(value, dict):
                     obj = attribute.class_type()
                     obj.deserialize(value)
@@ -806,14 +683,11 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
         if not isinstance(data, dict):
             raise AnsibleAssertionError('data (%s) should be a dict but is a %s' % (data, type(data)))
 
-        for (name, attribute) in self._valid_attrs.items():
+        for (name, attribute) in self.fattributes.items():
             if name in data:
                 setattr(self, name, data[name])
             else:
-                if callable(attribute.default):
-                    setattr(self, name, attribute.default())
-                else:
-                    setattr(self, name, attribute.default)
+                setattr(self, name, attribute.default)
 
         # restore the UUID field
         setattr(self, '_uuid', data.get('uuid'))
@@ -823,40 +697,40 @@ class FieldAttributeBase(metaclass=BaseMeta):
 
 class Base(FieldAttributeBase):
 
-    _name = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='', always_post_validate=True, inherit=False)
+    name = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='string', default='', always_post_validate=True)
 
     # connection/transport
-    _connection = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('connection'))
-    _port = FieldAttribute(isa='int')
-    _remote_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('remote_user'))
+    connection = ConnectionFieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('connection'))
+    port = FieldAttribute(isa='int')
+    remote_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('remote_user'))
 
     # variables
-    _vars = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', priority=100, inherit=False, static=True)
+    vars = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='dict', priority=100, static=True)
 
     # module default params
-    _module_defaults = FieldAttribute(isa='list', extend=True, prepend=True)
+    module_defaults = FieldAttribute(isa='list', extend=True, prepend=True)
 
     # flags and misc. settings
-    _environment = FieldAttribute(isa='list', extend=True, prepend=True)
-    _no_log = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _run_once = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _ignore_errors = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _ignore_unreachable = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _check_mode = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('check'))
-    _diff = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('diff'))
-    _any_errors_fatal = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=C.ANY_ERRORS_FATAL)
-    _throttle = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=0)
-    _timeout = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.TASK_TIMEOUT)
+    environment = FieldAttribute(isa='list', extend=True, prepend=True)
+    no_log = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    run_once = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    ignore_errors = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    ignore_unreachable = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    check_mode = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('check'))
+    diff = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('diff'))
+    any_errors_fatal = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=C.ANY_ERRORS_FATAL)
+    throttle = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=0)
+    timeout = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.TASK_TIMEOUT)
 
     # explicitly invoke a debugger on tasks
-    _debugger = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    debugger = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
 
     # Privilege escalation
-    _become = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become'))
-    _become_method = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_method'))
-    _become_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_user'))
-    _become_flags = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_flags'))
-    _become_exe = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_exe'))
+    become = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become'))
+    become_method = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_method'))
+    become_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_user'))
+    become_flags = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_flags'))
+    become_exe = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('become_exe'))
 
     # used to hold sudo/su stuff
     DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTES = []  # type: list[str]
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py
index a9b399f2f9f..a77aea4106c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/block.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import ansible.constants as C
 from ansible.errors import AnsibleParserError
-from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute
+from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute, NonInheritableFieldAttribute
 from ansible.playbook.base import Base
 from ansible.playbook.conditional import Conditional
 from ansible.playbook.collectionsearch import CollectionSearch
@@ -34,18 +34,18 @@ from ansible.utils.sentinel import Sentinel
 class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
 
     # main block fields containing the task lists
-    _block = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, inherit=False)
-    _rescue = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, inherit=False)
-    _always = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, inherit=False)
+    block = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    rescue = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    always = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
 
     # other fields for task compat
-    _notify = FieldAttribute(isa='list')
-    _delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    notify = FieldAttribute(isa='list')
+    delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
 
     # for future consideration? this would be functionally
     # similar to the 'else' clause for exceptions
-    # _otherwise = FieldAttribute(isa='list')
+    # otherwise = FieldAttribute(isa='list')
 
     def __init__(self, play=None, parent_block=None, role=None, task_include=None, use_handlers=False, implicit=False):
         self._play = play
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
         '''
 
         data = dict()
-        for attr in self._valid_attrs:
+        for attr in self.fattributes:
             if attr not in ('block', 'rescue', 'always'):
                 data[attr] = getattr(self, attr)
 
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
 
         # we don't want the full set of attributes (the task lists), as that
         # would lead to a serialize/deserialize loop
-        for attr in self._valid_attrs:
+        for attr in self.fattributes:
             if attr in data and attr not in ('block', 'rescue', 'always'):
                 setattr(self, attr, data.get(attr))
 
@@ -298,11 +298,10 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
         '''
         Generic logic to get the attribute or parent attribute for a block value.
         '''
-
-        extend = self._valid_attrs[attr].extend
-        prepend = self._valid_attrs[attr].prepend
+        extend = self.fattributes.get(attr).extend
+        prepend = self.fattributes.get(attr).prepend
         try:
-            value = self._attributes[attr]
+            value = getattr(self, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
             # If parent is static, we can grab attrs from the parent
             # otherwise, defer to the grandparent
             if getattr(self._parent, 'statically_loaded', True):
@@ -316,7 +315,7 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
                         if hasattr(_parent, '_get_parent_attribute'):
                             parent_value = _parent._get_parent_attribute(attr)
                         else:
-                            parent_value = _parent._attributes.get(attr, Sentinel)
+                            parent_value = getattr(_parent, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
                         if extend:
                             value = self._extend_value(value, parent_value, prepend)
                         else:
@@ -325,7 +324,7 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
                     pass
             if self._role and (value is Sentinel or extend):
                 try:
-                    parent_value = self._role._attributes.get(attr, Sentinel)
+                    parent_value = getattr(self._role, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
                     if extend:
                         value = self._extend_value(value, parent_value, prepend)
                     else:
@@ -335,7 +334,7 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
                     if dep_chain and (value is Sentinel or extend):
                         dep_chain.reverse()
                         for dep in dep_chain:
-                            dep_value = dep._attributes.get(attr, Sentinel)
+                            dep_value = getattr(dep, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
                             if extend:
                                 value = self._extend_value(value, dep_value, prepend)
                             else:
@@ -347,7 +346,7 @@ class Block(Base, Conditional, CollectionSearch, Taggable):
                     pass
             if self._play and (value is Sentinel or extend):
                 try:
-                    play_value = self._play._attributes.get(attr, Sentinel)
+                    play_value = getattr(self._play, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
                     if play_value is not Sentinel:
                         if extend:
                             value = self._extend_value(value, play_value, prepend)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/collectionsearch.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/collectionsearch.py
index f319cfe03a2..2980093633c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/collectionsearch.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/collectionsearch.py
@@ -36,13 +36,13 @@ def _ensure_default_collection(collection_list=None):
 class CollectionSearch:
 
     # this needs to be populated before we can resolve tasks/roles/etc
-    _collections = FieldAttribute(isa='list', listof=string_types, priority=100, default=_ensure_default_collection,
-                                  always_post_validate=True, static=True)
+    collections = FieldAttribute(isa='list', listof=string_types, priority=100, default=_ensure_default_collection,
+                                 always_post_validate=True, static=True)
 
     def _load_collections(self, attr, ds):
         # We are always a mixin with Base, so we can validate this untemplated
         # field early on to guarantee we are dealing with a list.
-        ds = self.get_validated_value('collections', self._collections, ds, None)
+        ds = self.get_validated_value('collections', self.fattributes.get('collections'), ds, None)
 
         # this will only be called if someone specified a value; call the shared value
         _ensure_default_collection(collection_list=ds)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/conditional.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/conditional.py
index 5a909e7c9ee..fe07358cbdf 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/conditional.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/conditional.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class Conditional:
     to be run conditionally when a condition is met or skipped.
     '''
 
-    _when = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, extend=True, prepend=True)
+    when = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, extend=True, prepend=True)
 
     def __init__(self, loader=None):
         # when used directly, this class needs a loader, but we want to
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/handler.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/handler.py
index 79eaf3fe314..9ad8c8a88c9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/handler.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/handler.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from ansible.module_utils.six import string_types
 
 class Handler(Task):
 
-    _listen = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, listof=string_types, static=True)
+    listen = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, listof=string_types, static=True)
 
     def __init__(self, block=None, role=None, task_include=None):
         self.notified_hosts = []
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/loop_control.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/loop_control.py
index 2e38f7ea548..3cf6d15c02c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/loop_control.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/loop_control.py
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@ from ansible.playbook.base import FieldAttributeBase
 
 class LoopControl(FieldAttributeBase):
 
-    _loop_var = FieldAttribute(isa='str', default='item')
-    _index_var = FieldAttribute(isa='str')
-    _label = FieldAttribute(isa='str')
-    _pause = FieldAttribute(isa='float', default=0)
-    _extended = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _extended_allitems = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=True)
+    loop_var = FieldAttribute(isa='str', default='item')
+    index_var = FieldAttribute(isa='str')
+    label = FieldAttribute(isa='str')
+    pause = FieldAttribute(isa='float', default=0)
+    extended = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    extended_allitems = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=True)
 
     def __init__(self):
         super(LoopControl, self).__init__()
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py
index 628f7b59cb6..fb6fdd8acb4 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/play.py
@@ -54,35 +54,35 @@ class Play(Base, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
     """
 
     # =================================================================================
-    _hosts = FieldAttribute(isa='list', required=True, listof=string_types, always_post_validate=True, priority=-1)
+    hosts = FieldAttribute(isa='list', required=True, listof=string_types, always_post_validate=True, priority=-2)
 
     # Facts
-    _gather_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=None, always_post_validate=True)
+    gather_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=None, always_post_validate=True)
 
     # defaults to be deprecated, should be 'None' in future
-    _gather_subset = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=(lambda: C.DEFAULT_GATHER_SUBSET), listof=string_types, always_post_validate=True)
-    _gather_timeout = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.DEFAULT_GATHER_TIMEOUT, always_post_validate=True)
-    _fact_path = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_FACT_PATH)
+    gather_subset = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=(lambda: C.DEFAULT_GATHER_SUBSET), listof=string_types, always_post_validate=True)
+    gather_timeout = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.DEFAULT_GATHER_TIMEOUT, always_post_validate=True)
+    fact_path = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_FACT_PATH)
 
     # Variable Attributes
-    _vars_files = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=99)
-    _vars_prompt = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, always_post_validate=False)
+    vars_files = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=99)
+    vars_prompt = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, always_post_validate=False)
 
     # Role Attributes
-    _roles = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=90)
+    roles = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=90)
 
     # Block (Task) Lists Attributes
-    _handlers = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
-    _pre_tasks = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
-    _post_tasks = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
-    _tasks = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    handlers = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=-1)
+    pre_tasks = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=-1)
+    post_tasks = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=-1)
+    tasks = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, priority=-1)
 
     # Flag/Setting Attributes
-    _force_handlers = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('force_handlers'), always_post_validate=True)
-    _max_fail_percentage = FieldAttribute(isa='percent', always_post_validate=True)
-    _serial = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, always_post_validate=True)
-    _strategy = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_STRATEGY, always_post_validate=True)
-    _order = FieldAttribute(isa='string', always_post_validate=True)
+    force_handlers = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=context.cliargs_deferred_get('force_handlers'), always_post_validate=True)
+    max_fail_percentage = FieldAttribute(isa='percent', always_post_validate=True)
+    serial = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, always_post_validate=True)
+    strategy = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_STRATEGY, always_post_validate=True)
+    order = FieldAttribute(isa='string', always_post_validate=True)
 
     # =================================================================================
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/play_context.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/play_context.py
index add9d0f143f..77c5539ee0b 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/play_context.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/play_context.py
@@ -77,46 +77,46 @@ class PlayContext(Base):
     '''
 
     # base
-    _module_compression = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_MODULE_COMPRESSION)
-    _shell = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _executable = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_EXECUTABLE)
+    module_compression = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_MODULE_COMPRESSION)
+    shell = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    executable = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_EXECUTABLE)
 
     # connection fields, some are inherited from Base:
     # (connection, port, remote_user, environment, no_log)
-    _remote_addr = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _password = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _timeout = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.DEFAULT_TIMEOUT)
-    _connection_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _private_key_file = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE)
-    _pipelining = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=C.ANSIBLE_PIPELINING)
+    remote_addr = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    password = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    timeout = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.DEFAULT_TIMEOUT)
+    connection_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    private_key_file = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE)
+    pipelining = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=C.ANSIBLE_PIPELINING)
 
     # networking modules
-    _network_os = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    network_os = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
 
     # docker FIXME: remove these
-    _docker_extra_args = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    docker_extra_args = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
 
     # ???
-    _connection_lockfd = FieldAttribute(isa='int')
+    connection_lockfd = FieldAttribute(isa='int')
 
     # privilege escalation fields
-    _become = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _become_method = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _become_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _become_pass = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _become_exe = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_BECOME_EXE)
-    _become_flags = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_BECOME_FLAGS)
-    _prompt = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    become = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    become_method = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    become_user = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    become_pass = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    become_exe = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_BECOME_EXE)
+    become_flags = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default=C.DEFAULT_BECOME_FLAGS)
+    prompt = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
 
     # general flags
-    _only_tags = FieldAttribute(isa='set', default=set)
-    _skip_tags = FieldAttribute(isa='set', default=set)
+    only_tags = FieldAttribute(isa='set', default=set)
+    skip_tags = FieldAttribute(isa='set', default=set)
 
-    _start_at_task = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _step = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
+    start_at_task = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    step = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
 
     # "PlayContext.force_handlers should not be used, the calling code should be using play itself instead"
-    _force_handlers = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
+    force_handlers = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
 
     @property
     def verbosity(self):
@@ -353,21 +353,3 @@ class PlayContext(Base):
                         variables[var_opt] = var_val
             except AttributeError:
                 continue
-
-    def _get_attr_connection(self):
-        ''' connections are special, this takes care of responding correctly '''
-        conn_type = None
-        if self._attributes['connection'] == 'smart':
-            conn_type = 'ssh'
-            # see if SSH can support ControlPersist if not use paramiko
-            if not check_for_controlpersist('ssh') and paramiko is not None:
-                conn_type = "paramiko"
-
-        # if someone did `connection: persistent`, default it to using a persistent paramiko connection to avoid problems
-        elif self._attributes['connection'] == 'persistent' and paramiko is not None:
-            conn_type = 'paramiko'
-
-        if conn_type:
-            self.connection = conn_type
-
-        return self._attributes['connection']
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/playbook_include.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/playbook_include.py
index 33908069e39..5cc6c395010 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/playbook_include.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/playbook_include.py
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ display = Display()
 
 class PlaybookInclude(Base, Conditional, Taggable):
 
-    _import_playbook = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _vars = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=dict)
+    import_playbook = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    vars_val = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=dict, alias='vars')
 
     @staticmethod
     def load(data, basedir, variable_manager=None, loader=None):
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class PlaybookInclude(Base, Conditional, Taggable):
             # those attached to each block (if any)
             if new_obj.when:
                 for task_block in (entry.pre_tasks + entry.roles + entry.tasks + entry.post_tasks):
-                    task_block._attributes['when'] = new_obj.when[:] + task_block.when[:]
+                    task_block._when = new_obj.when[:] + task_block.when[:]
 
         return pb
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/__init__.py
index 58788953370..e85e6948bae 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/__init__.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ from ansible.playbook.taggable import Taggable
 from ansible.plugins.loader import add_all_plugin_dirs
 from ansible.utils.collection_loader import AnsibleCollectionConfig
 from ansible.utils.path import is_subpath
+from ansible.utils.sentinel import Sentinel
 from ansible.utils.vars import combine_vars
 
 __all__ = ['Role', 'hash_params']
@@ -97,8 +98,8 @@ def hash_params(params):
 
 class Role(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
 
-    _delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
 
     def __init__(self, play=None, from_files=None, from_include=False, validate=True):
         self._role_name = None
@@ -198,15 +199,19 @@ class Role(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
             self.add_parent(parent_role)
 
         # copy over all field attributes from the RoleInclude
-        # update self._attributes directly, to avoid squashing
-        for (attr_name, dump) in self._valid_attrs.items():
+        # update self._attr directly, to avoid squashing
+        for attr_name in self.fattributes:
             if attr_name in ('when', 'tags'):
-                self._attributes[attr_name] = self._extend_value(
-                    self._attributes[attr_name],
-                    role_include._attributes[attr_name],
+                setattr(
+                    self,
+                    f'_{attr_name}',
+                    self._extend_value(
+                        getattr(self, f'_{attr_name}', Sentinel),
+                        getattr(role_include, f'_{attr_name}', Sentinel),
+                    )
                 )
             else:
-                self._attributes[attr_name] = role_include._attributes[attr_name]
+                setattr(self, f'_{attr_name}', getattr(role_include, f'_{attr_name}', Sentinel))
 
         # vars and default vars are regular dictionaries
         self._role_vars = self._load_role_yaml('vars', main=self._from_files.get('vars'), allow_dir=True)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/definition.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/definition.py
index c1c1364eb67..b44ef762bf7 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/definition.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/definition.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ display = Display()
 
 class RoleDefinition(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
 
-    _role = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    role = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
 
     def __init__(self, play=None, role_basedir=None, variable_manager=None, loader=None, collection_list=None):
 
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ class RoleDefinition(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
 
         role_def = dict()
         role_params = dict()
-        base_attribute_names = frozenset(self._valid_attrs.keys())
+        base_attribute_names = frozenset(self.fattributes)
         for (key, value) in ds.items():
             # use the list of FieldAttribute values to determine what is and is not
             # an extra parameter for this role (or sub-class of this role)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/include.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/include.py
index 6274fc631f7..e0d4b67b14d 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/include.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/include.py
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ class RoleInclude(RoleDefinition):
     is included for execution in a play.
     """
 
-    _delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
+    delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
 
     def __init__(self, play=None, role_basedir=None, variable_manager=None, loader=None, collection_list=None):
         super(RoleInclude, self).__init__(play=play, role_basedir=role_basedir, variable_manager=variable_manager,
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/metadata.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/metadata.py
index edcbc661710..275ee548b36 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/role/metadata.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/role/metadata.py
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@ class RoleMetadata(Base, CollectionSearch):
     within each Role (meta/main.yml).
     '''
 
-    _allow_duplicates = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
-    _dependencies = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
-    _galaxy_info = FieldAttribute(isa='GalaxyInfo')
-    _argument_specs = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=dict)
+    allow_duplicates = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False)
+    dependencies = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    galaxy_info = FieldAttribute(isa='GalaxyInfo')
+    argument_specs = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=dict)
 
     def __init__(self, owner=None):
         self._owner = owner
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py
index c1cc2229ba3..2eae68c3fcf 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/role_include.py
@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@ class IncludeRole(TaskInclude):
     # ATTRIBUTES
 
     # private as this is a 'module options' vs a task property
-    _allow_duplicates = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=True, private=True)
-    _public = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False, private=True)
-    _rolespec_validate = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=True)
+    allow_duplicates = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=True, private=True)
+    public = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=False, private=True)
+    rolespec_validate = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', default=True)
 
     def __init__(self, block=None, role=None, task_include=None):
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/taggable.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/taggable.py
index d8a715826da..4038d7f562e 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/taggable.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/taggable.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from ansible.template import Templar
 class Taggable:
 
     untagged = frozenset(['untagged'])
-    _tags = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, listof=(string_types, int), extend=True)
+    tags = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list, listof=(string_types, int), extend=True)
 
     def _load_tags(self, attr, ds):
         if isinstance(ds, list):
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/task.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/task.py
index 47a74f738b8..bf81fbf6012 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/task.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/task.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from ansible.module_utils.six import string_types
 from ansible.parsing.mod_args import ModuleArgsParser
 from ansible.parsing.yaml.objects import AnsibleBaseYAMLObject, AnsibleMapping
 from ansible.plugins.loader import lookup_loader
-from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute
+from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute, NonInheritableFieldAttribute
 from ansible.playbook.base import Base
 from ansible.playbook.block import Block
 from ansible.playbook.collectionsearch import CollectionSearch
@@ -63,28 +63,28 @@ class Task(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
     # might be possible to define others
 
     # NOTE: ONLY set defaults on task attributes that are not inheritable,
-    # inheritance is only triggered if the 'current value' is None,
+    # inheritance is only triggered if the 'current value' is Sentinel,
     # default can be set at play/top level object and inheritance will take it's course.
 
-    _args = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=dict)
-    _action = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-
-    _async_val = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=0, alias='async')
-    _changed_when = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
-    _delay = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=5)
-    _delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
-    _delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
-    _failed_when = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
-    _loop = FieldAttribute()
-    _loop_control = FieldAttribute(isa='class', class_type=LoopControl, inherit=False)
-    _notify = FieldAttribute(isa='list')
-    _poll = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.DEFAULT_POLL_INTERVAL)
-    _register = FieldAttribute(isa='string', static=True)
-    _retries = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=3)
-    _until = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    args = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=dict)
+    action = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+
+    async_val = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=0, alias='async')
+    changed_when = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    delay = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=5)
+    delegate_to = FieldAttribute(isa='string')
+    delegate_facts = FieldAttribute(isa='bool')
+    failed_when = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
+    loop = FieldAttribute()
+    loop_control = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='class', class_type=LoopControl)
+    notify = FieldAttribute(isa='list')
+    poll = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=C.DEFAULT_POLL_INTERVAL)
+    register = FieldAttribute(isa='string', static=True)
+    retries = FieldAttribute(isa='int', default=3)
+    until = FieldAttribute(isa='list', default=list)
 
     # deprecated, used to be loop and loop_args but loop has been repurposed
-    _loop_with = FieldAttribute(isa='string', private=True, inherit=False)
+    loop_with = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='string', private=True)
 
     def __init__(self, block=None, role=None, task_include=None):
         ''' constructors a task, without the Task.load classmethod, it will be pretty blank '''
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ class Task(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
         else:
             # Validate this untemplated field early on to guarantee we are dealing with a list.
             # This is also done in CollectionSearch._load_collections() but this runs before that call.
-            collections_list = self.get_validated_value('collections', self._collections, collections_list, None)
+            collections_list = self.get_validated_value('collections', self.fattributes.get('collections'), collections_list, None)
 
         if default_collection and not self._role:  # FIXME: and not a collections role
             if collections_list:
@@ -460,11 +460,10 @@ class Task(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
         '''
         Generic logic to get the attribute or parent attribute for a task value.
         '''
-
-        extend = self._valid_attrs[attr].extend
-        prepend = self._valid_attrs[attr].prepend
+        extend = self.fattributes.get(attr).extend
+        prepend = self.fattributes.get(attr).prepend
         try:
-            value = self._attributes[attr]
+            value = getattr(self, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
             # If parent is static, we can grab attrs from the parent
             # otherwise, defer to the grandparent
             if getattr(self._parent, 'statically_loaded', True):
@@ -478,7 +477,7 @@ class Task(Base, Conditional, Taggable, CollectionSearch):
                     if attr != 'vars' and hasattr(_parent, '_get_parent_attribute'):
                         parent_value = _parent._get_parent_attribute(attr)
                     else:
-                        parent_value = _parent._attributes.get(attr, Sentinel)
+                        parent_value = getattr(_parent, f'_{attr}', Sentinel)
 
                     if extend:
                         value = self._extend_value(value, parent_value, prepend)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/playbook/task_include.py b/lib/ansible/playbook/task_include.py
index edfc54ea575..c1e149f2b53 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/playbook/task_include.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/playbook/task_include.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import ansible.constants as C
 from ansible.errors import AnsibleParserError
-from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute
 from ansible.playbook.block import Block
 from ansible.playbook.task import Task
 from ansible.utils.display import Display
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py
index d92a46aace2..e9c675accc2 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ class StrategyBase:
                                             continue
 
                                         listeners = listening_handler.get_validated_value(
-                                            'listen', listening_handler._valid_attrs['listen'], listeners, handler_templar
+                                            'listen', listening_handler.fattributes.get('listen'), listeners, handler_templar
                                         )
                                         if handler_name not in listeners:
                                             continue
diff --git a/lib/ansible/vars/reserved.py b/lib/ansible/vars/reserved.py
index 2a2ec8de1b5..2d1b4d51da3 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/vars/reserved.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/vars/reserved.py
@@ -39,14 +39,12 @@ def get_reserved_names(include_private=True):
     class_list = [Play, Role, Block, Task]
 
     for aclass in class_list:
-        aobj = aclass()
-
         # build ordered list to loop over and dict with attributes
-        for attribute in aobj.__dict__['_attributes']:
-            if 'private' in attribute:
-                private.add(attribute)
+        for name, attr in aclass.fattributes.items():
+            if attr.private:
+                private.add(name)
             else:
-                public.add(attribute)
+                public.add(name)
 
     # local_action is implicit with action
     if 'action' in public:
diff --git a/test/units/playbook/test_base.py b/test/units/playbook/test_base.py
index de3412e5db6..f05c0cc1435 100644
--- a/test/units/playbook/test_base.py
+++ b/test/units/playbook/test_base.py
@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ from units.compat import unittest
 
 from ansible.errors import AnsibleParserError
 from ansible.module_utils.six import string_types
-from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute
+from ansible.playbook.attribute import FieldAttribute, NonInheritableFieldAttribute
 from ansible.template import Templar
 from ansible.playbook import base
 from ansible.utils.unsafe_proxy import AnsibleUnsafeBytes, AnsibleUnsafeText
+from ansible.utils.sentinel import Sentinel
 
 from units.mock.loader import DictDataLoader
 
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ class TestBase(unittest.TestCase):
     def _assert_copy(self, orig, copy):
         self.assertIsInstance(copy, self.ClassUnderTest)
         self.assertIsInstance(copy, base.Base)
-        self.assertEqual(len(orig._valid_attrs), len(copy._valid_attrs))
+        self.assertEqual(len(orig.fattributes), len(copy.fattributes))
 
         sentinel = 'Empty DS'
         self.assertEqual(getattr(orig, '_ds', sentinel), getattr(copy, '_ds', sentinel))
@@ -107,8 +108,8 @@ class TestBase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         d = self.ClassUnderTest()
         d.deserialize(data)
-        self.assertIn('run_once', d._attributes)
-        self.assertIn('check_mode', d._attributes)
+        self.assertIn('_run_once', d.__dict__)
+        self.assertIn('_check_mode', d.__dict__)
 
         data = {'no_log': False,
                 'remote_user': None,
@@ -122,9 +123,9 @@ class TestBase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         d = self.ClassUnderTest()
         d.deserialize(data)
-        self.assertNotIn('a_sentinel_with_an_unlikely_name', d._attributes)
-        self.assertIn('run_once', d._attributes)
-        self.assertIn('check_mode', d._attributes)
+        self.assertNotIn('_a_sentinel_with_an_unlikely_name', d.__dict__)
+        self.assertIn('_run_once', d.__dict__)
+        self.assertIn('_check_mode', d.__dict__)
 
     def test_serialize_then_deserialize(self):
         ds = {'environment': [],
@@ -165,7 +166,7 @@ class TestBase(unittest.TestCase):
         # environment is supposed to be  a list. This
         # seems like it shouldn't work?
         ret = self.b.load_data(ds)
-        self.assertEqual(True, ret._attributes['environment'])
+        self.assertEqual(True, ret._environment)
 
     def test_post_validate(self):
         ds = {'environment': [],
@@ -312,7 +313,7 @@ class ExampleException(Exception):
 
 # naming fails me...
 class ExampleParentBaseSubClass(base.Base):
-    _test_attr_parent_string = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='A string attr for a class that may be a parent for testing')
+    test_attr_parent_string = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='A string attr for a class that may be a parent for testing')
 
     def __init__(self):
 
@@ -324,9 +325,8 @@ class ExampleParentBaseSubClass(base.Base):
 
 
 class ExampleSubClass(base.Base):
-    _test_attr_blip = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='example sub class test_attr_blip',
-                                     inherit=False,
-                                     always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_blip = NonInheritableFieldAttribute(isa='string', default='example sub class test_attr_blip',
+                                                  always_post_validate=True)
 
     def __init__(self):
         super(ExampleSubClass, self).__init__()
@@ -339,39 +339,39 @@ class ExampleSubClass(base.Base):
 
 
 class BaseSubClass(base.Base):
-    _name = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_bool = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_int = FieldAttribute(isa='int', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_float = FieldAttribute(isa='float', default=3.14159, always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_list = FieldAttribute(isa='list', listof=string_types, always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_list_no_listof = FieldAttribute(isa='list', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_list_required = FieldAttribute(isa='list', listof=string_types, required=True,
-                                              default=list, always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_string = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='the_test_attr_string_default_value')
-    _test_attr_string_required = FieldAttribute(isa='string', required=True,
-                                                default='the_test_attr_string_default_value')
-    _test_attr_percent = FieldAttribute(isa='percent', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_set = FieldAttribute(isa='set', default=set, always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_dict = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=lambda: {'a_key': 'a_value'}, always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_class = FieldAttribute(isa='class', class_type=ExampleSubClass)
-    _test_attr_class_post_validate = FieldAttribute(isa='class', class_type=ExampleSubClass,
-                                                    always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_unknown_isa = FieldAttribute(isa='not_a_real_isa', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_example = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='the_default',
-                                        always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_none = FieldAttribute(isa='string', always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_preprocess = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='the default for preprocess')
-    _test_attr_method = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='some attr with a getter',
+    name = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_bool = FieldAttribute(isa='bool', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_int = FieldAttribute(isa='int', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_float = FieldAttribute(isa='float', default=3.14159, always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_list = FieldAttribute(isa='list', listof=string_types, always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_list_no_listof = FieldAttribute(isa='list', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_list_required = FieldAttribute(isa='list', listof=string_types, required=True,
+                                             default=list, always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_string = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='the_test_attr_string_default_value')
+    test_attr_string_required = FieldAttribute(isa='string', required=True,
+                                               default='the_test_attr_string_default_value')
+    test_attr_percent = FieldAttribute(isa='percent', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_set = FieldAttribute(isa='set', default=set, always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_dict = FieldAttribute(isa='dict', default=lambda: {'a_key': 'a_value'}, always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_class = FieldAttribute(isa='class', class_type=ExampleSubClass)
+    test_attr_class_post_validate = FieldAttribute(isa='class', class_type=ExampleSubClass,
+                                                   always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_unknown_isa = FieldAttribute(isa='not_a_real_isa', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_example = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='the_default',
                                        always_post_validate=True)
-    _test_attr_method_missing = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='some attr with a missing getter',
-                                               always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_none = FieldAttribute(isa='string', always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_preprocess = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='the default for preprocess')
+    test_attr_method = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='some attr with a getter',
+                                      always_post_validate=True)
+    test_attr_method_missing = FieldAttribute(isa='string', default='some attr with a missing getter',
+                                              always_post_validate=True)
 
     def _get_attr_test_attr_method(self):
         return 'foo bar'
 
     def _validate_test_attr_example(self, attr, name, value):
         if not isinstance(value, str):
-            raise ExampleException('_test_attr_example is not a string: %s type=%s' % (value, type(value)))
+            raise ExampleException('test_attr_example is not a string: %s type=%s' % (value, type(value)))
 
     def _post_validate_test_attr_example(self, attr, value, templar):
         after_template_value = templar.template(value)
@@ -380,21 +380,6 @@ class BaseSubClass(base.Base):
     def _post_validate_test_attr_none(self, attr, value, templar):
         return None
 
-    def _get_parent_attribute(self, attr, extend=False, prepend=False):
-        value = None
-        try:
-            value = self._attributes[attr]
-            if self._parent and (value is None or extend):
-                parent_value = getattr(self._parent, attr, None)
-                if extend:
-                    value = self._extend_value(value, parent_value, prepend)
-                else:
-                    value = parent_value
-        except KeyError:
-            pass
-
-        return value
-
 
 # terrible name, but it is a TestBase subclass for testing subclasses of Base
 class TestBaseSubClass(TestBase):
@@ -420,7 +405,7 @@ class TestBaseSubClass(TestBase):
         ds = {'test_attr_int': MOST_RANDOM_NUMBER}
         bsc = self._base_validate(ds)
         del bsc.test_attr_int
-        self.assertNotIn('test_attr_int', bsc._attributes)
+        self.assertNotIn('_test_attr_int', bsc.__dict__)
 
     def test_attr_float(self):
         roughly_pi = 4.0
@@ -569,18 +554,18 @@ class TestBaseSubClass(TestBase):
         string_list = ['foo', 'bar']
         ds = {'test_attr_list': string_list}
         bsc = self._base_validate(ds)
-        self.assertEqual(string_list, bsc._attributes['test_attr_list'])
+        self.assertEqual(string_list, bsc._test_attr_list)
 
     def test_attr_list_none(self):
         ds = {'test_attr_list': None}
         bsc = self._base_validate(ds)
-        self.assertEqual(None, bsc._attributes['test_attr_list'])
+        self.assertEqual(None, bsc._test_attr_list)
 
     def test_attr_list_no_listof(self):
         test_list = ['foo', 'bar', 123]
         ds = {'test_attr_list_no_listof': test_list}
         bsc = self._base_validate(ds)
-        self.assertEqual(test_list, bsc._attributes['test_attr_list_no_listof'])
+        self.assertEqual(test_list, bsc._test_attr_list_no_listof)
 
     def test_attr_list_required(self):
         string_list = ['foo', 'bar']
@@ -590,7 +575,7 @@ class TestBaseSubClass(TestBase):
         fake_loader = DictDataLoader({})
         templar = Templar(loader=fake_loader)
         bsc.post_validate(templar)
-        self.assertEqual(string_list, bsc._attributes['test_attr_list_required'])
+        self.assertEqual(string_list, bsc._test_attr_list_required)
 
     def test_attr_list_required_empty_string(self):
         string_list = [""]
diff --git a/test/units/playbook/test_helpers.py b/test/units/playbook/test_helpers.py
index d7b1cf65327..e784312f9b3 100644
--- a/test/units/playbook/test_helpers.py
+++ b/test/units/playbook/test_helpers.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class MixinForMocks(object):
 
         self.mock_play = MagicMock(name='MockPlay')
         self.mock_play._attributes = []
-        self.mock_play.collections = None
+        self.mock_play._collections = None
 
         self.mock_iterator = MagicMock(name='MockIterator')
         self.mock_iterator._play = self.mock_play