Hello,

I have a stupid question I'm hoping someone can answer for me.

How much XP are skills?

I have looked in the main rule book but I can see where the cost of buying general skills is. I see the cost for the class skills but not for non class skills (such as pilot or climbing)

cheers,

Narvask

Look high on the ranks for death watch and general marine, typically 800. Some are hidden in the chapter tables and very few are on the class tables.

Depends what you mean by 'non class' skills. Skills and talents come from six sources in the game:

1. There is a 'general space marine advances' table, with one list per level, in the character creation section. Most of the level 1 advances are things a marine gets as trained skills by default, though. Things like drive (ground) and climb are generally on here.
2. There is a 'deathwatch advances' table with one list per level, on the following pages. Things like 'Hunter of Aliens' is on there.
3. There is a 'chapter advances' table specific to the parent chapter on the page following that. There's only one table, regardless of level. Other publications (such as First Founding) which introduce other chapters also usually provide a 'chapter advances' table
4. Alternate career ranks 'replace' a rank from a standard career - so instead of taking rank X tactical marine, you substitute it for 'first company veteran' - which comes with its own 'advanced speciality advances' table.
5. If you want a skill or ability not on any of the above tables, it's an Elite Advance . There is no fixed cost for elite advances, but it's something to be negotiated between player and GM based on (a) how powerful he sees the ability you want as being, and (b) how difficult it would have been for your character to have learned this:

For example - if you wanted to take forbidden lore (Inquisition) with your starting XP, that would be something that could be useful but not gamebreaking when working for the chamber militant, and provided you could explain how your character could realistically have that knowledge (for example, you were briefed on the Chamber of Vigilance's inner workings by the battle-brother you're replacing), then I'd say it shouldn't cost you much more than most lore skills - say 300-500 XP.

Thank you both for the information.