When the relationship card states, "When you or your partner gain one (Spell, Common Item, Unique Item, etc.) by any game effect, the partner gains one,as well." My guess that this excludes "purchases" as it's not technically a game effect. This would only come into play ehen you draw one due to a sucessful encounter.

I'd agree with this, however I do not own the expansion with Relationships.

I'd go with purchases, too. They're just as much a "game effect" as actual encounters (and even takes place during the encounter phase!). Plus, would purchasing ones from Joey The Rat not count? If so, what makes it "exempt" as opposed to buying at the general store?

This is balanced mostly by the Unique/Common item one that allows them to purchase the top card, instead of just getting it (like the spell one does).

Ecno, I started moving in that direction, but it just didn't feel right. Wait until you read about the latest game against Atlach Nacha ~ it's a gripping tale.

Atlach Natcha games always are :-D Can't wait!

I'd say that WHENEVER the investigator acquires one, the partner gets one. The exceptions are:

• Setup spells
• Spells being traded (this one should be obvious)
• Spells gained by this relationship

I see no reason why spell "purchases" are an exception.

To me, "gain" equates to "is added to the overall set of things that the investigators have". Hence, trading is not a gain (since someone else must have had it first, plus it's just two obvious an exploit), but purchasing a spell is a gain.

Thank you one and all!

In the end, I didn't provide the partener one, however, when I do complete the write-up for the last game, you'll see that it really didn't matter...one note, there are a number of Dexter-haters out there ~ let me tell you, that boy with Ancient Tome is a big winner, especially when his partner gets one, as well!