Ok ok.. another question. Plasma & Melta Weapon aren't stated as possible talent groups for Basic Weapon training. The only chance to use a Plasma Gun without -20 skill modificator is getting Basic Weapon Training (universal), if you class has it. So a Hand of War origin can't select it, because it has no talent group... is that right or just not in the errata?

In falls under Basic weapon/Pistol Training (Universal), just look in the talents section of the game

Things are a lot more broad in RT than in DH. A Plasma Rifle is a rifle type, a Plasma Pistol is a pistol type, and a heavy plasma is a heavy type. Same for melta.

Any character with Basic Weapon Training (universal) can use plasma rifle, Pistol Training(universal) handles plasma pistols, etc. etc. All Imperium weapons are handled by the (universal) talents.

Yes, I got that. Sorry, my question wasn't clear. Another try:

Bob is a starting character, who doesn't posses the basic weapons (universal) skill. But he has got the Hand of War origin, so he's able to choose one Weapon Training Talent. He wants to use Melta Guns.

Now two questions:

1. Is he able to choose Basic Weapon Training (universal)? I think not, because it states ONE weapon training talent and universal covers a whole range of talents.
2. Looking at the Basic Weapon Training talent on p.94 "Melta" and "Plasma" are missing in the Talent Group options. This would mean there is no Basic Weapon Training (Melta) talent. So Bob's only chance to use a Melta Gun would be to somehow gain the Basic Weapon Training (universal) talent?

Thanks a lot for your replies so far

I don't know that this is official, but I think in RT the (universal) talents would fit that category. When they have the option to buy talents later in their career path you only see the (universal) options, never sub groups.

And it is a common enough, and harmless enough talent that it wouldn't be messing with the game balance.

riplikash said:

Thanks. Hmm that's right it's pretty common for Rogue Trader chars to have basic, melee or pistol universal weapons, but you usually have to choose a heavy categorie, I think.

And to answer my question 2, I think it's a typo. If I look at the general plasma weapon description on page 122, they talk of a basic weapon (plasma) group.

There is a note that Skill Groups are meant to be examples, not exclusive. For the best example of this, consider Common Lore (Underworld) which seems to appear only in the Seneschal career. Even a character from a Penal World is unlikely to have it...

There are Universal talent groups for melee, throwing, pistol, and basic, but not heavy. Since the Talent section of the book lists Universal as seperate from SP and Bolt and such, I believe that it is fully intended for the Universal weapons training talents to be available choices for things like The Hand of War.

Since there are headings for each group and types for each weapons, I assumed that Basic(Melta) and Pistol(Melta) were oversights.

I am with riplikash in that I don't think Basic(Universal) is game breaking.