Hi all.

My question as above: Does Master of Paperwork apply in character creation?

To elaborate - Master of Paperwork is a Background Bonus given to the Adeptus Administatum which "counts the Availability of all items as one level more available (Very Rare items count as Rare, Average items count as Common, etc.)." Under "Equip Acolyte" (p81) during creation Acolytes can chose items upto an Availability of Scarce - so can the Adeptus Administratum chose Rare items at this stage, or does it only apply in-game?

Thanks in advance...

I would say yes.

I'd also say yes. It's a skill the character has know for a while.

I see no reason why not. Similarly, I'd rule that a character with the Adpetus Mechanicus Background can choose bionics with Availability two steps lower, using the same logic.

I see no reason why not. Similarly, I'd rule that a character with the Adpetus Mechanicus Background can choose bionics with Availability two steps lower, using the same logic.

This is my interpretation as well.

An excellent concensus - thank you all very much :-)

Were the items obtained by a test ? If not then master of paperwork does not apply.

Wait until the errata before you all award yourself high rarity items.

Were the items obtained by a test ? If not then master of paperwork does not apply.

Wait until the errata before you all award yourself high rarity items.

From page 46 of the Core Book...

Master of Paperwork: An Adeptus Administratum character counts the Availability of all items as one level more available (Very Rare items count as Rare, Average items count as Common, etc.).

It says absolutely nothing about tests.

I feel it is implied, but it is something that would need to be errata'd.

For me it would 'obtain' vs. 'given' debate.

I feel it is implied, but it is something that would need to be errata'd.

For me it would 'obtain' vs. 'given' debate.

In the original Beta, the ability was worded...

When making requisition tests, Adeptus Administratum characters gain a +10 bonus to the availability of all equipment.

The second update to the Beta contained the following red text revision...

Replace the entry for the Adeptus Administratum Background Bonus with “Adeptus Administratum characters count the availability of all equipment as 10 higher.”

This, a least to me, indicates that the issue came up as to whether or not the ability should apply outside of tests and that the answer was 'yes, it should'.

Let's just ask the developers. They'll put it in an errata.

"Each character starts with certain items based on his background, but can also select additional weapons, equipment, and gear as part of his initial creation. These represent other accessories the Acolyte brought with him, and help define his favoured combat methods and idiosyncrasies. An Acolyte can make a number of selections up to his starting Influence bonus value from Chapter V: Armoury, each of which can have an Availability of Scarce (–10) or better. For example, a character with an Influence of 37 could make up to 3 acquisitions. Note that all weapons acquired during character creation (and in regular game play onwards) come with two clips of standard ammunition. During regular game play, Acolytes use the normal Requisition system for acquiring additional weapons, gear, armour, and other items from the Armoury as per page 142."

If the items are things the Acolyte "brought with him" they are thus part of the character's history, just like the character's Background. If the character has Master of Paperwork it means her time in the Adeptus Administratum has taught her how to get things efficiently - why would that only be the case during play, and not before?

I have no issue with the developers putting it in the Errata. I just don't think "Oh let's wait for the developers to decide for us!" is a very helpful answer to the OP's question, nor do I think the developers with put that into the Errata any time soon.

I would also say that both Master of Paperwork and Replace the Weak Flesh work during character creation. Since equipment is bought after background is selected and these abilities don't specify anything about tests or after character creation or anything like that then there is no reason they wouldn't apply. It also makes a great deal of sense that a adeptus mechanicus character can start with a greater variety of and/or better bionics than other characters. That in fact seems to me to be a major point of the ability in the first place.

I really don't think this is something the developers even need to address considering most of us seem to agree on it and at most it would need a FAQ not an errata.

I was shocked for a while, I thought this was going to be the first forum I read where everyone agreed!

My two cents though I do go with the majority on this one I think as written (and probably as intended) both these abilities should count toward starting acquisitions.