Hello all,

This is my first post on these boards, but I've been lurking for a bit. I thought I'd start off with a quick question.

My character is an Ultramarine Devastator and I would like to spend some XP on Scholastic Lore: Codex Astartes. I know that I come "stock" with it trained, but I'd be interested in bumping it up to +10% and +20% over time, to reflect the intellectual nature of my character. A quick flip through the different advancements pages didn't show me a way to bump up Scholastic Lore to these levels. Did I flip over it or is there no way for me to have any better knowledge of my Primarch's Codex Astartes than a flea-bitten Space Wolf (without deal-making with the GM, anyways)?

To be fair, I have Rites of Battle but I have not had a chance to go through it.

Be a Librarian (gets lore: schol (any) +10 and +20) or buy it as elite advances. Haven't looked to see if there's anything in RoB, but I doubt it.

On page 226 of RoB it talks about a new talent that lets you basicly learn other memebers squad modes. I could see this being a start to maybe a house rule on cross training. I had allowed cross training in my campaign befor RoB, how I did it was it cost double what it cost the member who bought it from their specialty tree, and you had to be one rank above what it required. That being said, that was more for combat talents and the like.

As a GM I would be pleased with your intrest in advancing in that area, it fits your chapter and its for the most part a purly role playing ability. It should not be hard to barter for that. I am sorry I could not find anything in the RAW for what you are asking, it seems this advance should be allowed somewhere.

Im pretty sure the defensive genius and strike team specialist deeds give you +10 to codex astartes. If it's not those two, I know for sure i read in there something that does.

Rank 5 general space marine advances gives you Scholastic Lore(any). My guess is it's an oversight.

I'd allow it at Rank 3 to have +10 in it for perhaps...500, and then at Rank 7 at +20 for maybe a thou.

Best bet, just ask your GM to give you an elite advance on it, and make your character really study it. Really, I woudl think this translates into alot of othre skils, but scholastic lore applies to your ability to study an object easily. So if you'd like it for show, throw a cheap number. If you'd like to actually use it, float him a medium number.

This is exactly the kind of thing that Elite Advances are for: Things that you'd like to cross-train in that aren't going to break-down the game balance or blur the distinction between character classes.

There seem to be a smurf deed in RoB that gives +10 of the skill. Something about keeper of ways?

Elite Advance is the easiest way to go. It's practically a no-brainer for an Ultramarine to be extensively versed in the Codex. There is also an Ultramarines Deed in RoB called Keeper of Ways that gives you the Talented (Command) talent along with +10% to Codex Astartes, for 300xp; it is well worth the investment.

My own tactical marine has Keeper of Ways, and it came in helpful when I (the player) was truly stumped on the best way to proceed in our last mission. It wasn't so "much how do I do this?" as "The Codex recommends this course of action."

Thanks for all of your replies. I didn't get the answer I was wanting to hear, but that is fine. Rites of Battle should probably get me taken care of, I'm just a little imtimidated to delve into it, as I'm still getting used to just the regular Deathwatch book. I may always make an Elite Advance offer to my GM and see what he thinks.

Private Jackson said:

I know it feels a little odd coming form other games, but Elite advances are literally part of the system. I know we all want an offical manner in the rulebook, but elite advances allows you to move beyond the realm of the book into true character customization. So, if the deed works for you, cool. But if not, just ask your DM and float them a number. If you have an RP reason, there shouldn't be (unless they gives a specific objection, like you're using it for everything, or the power is too great for just one Astartes) a reason to not have the advance.

Fear not my friend. It's a brave new world!

Direach said:

Odd that Talented (Command) doesn't add anything to Cohesion...

I know. It's a bit rubbish really, given how easy it is to get a Command roll of well over 100.