So, how does everyone deal with rank and things associated with it? By RAW its every 10 xp, well if a char takes a non career advance or two then they could easily be in the teens while still in their first career. Do you guys then let them train up to rank two stuff?

For us we have so far basically been equating rank with which career you are on, which could be a problem if someone doenst finish off their careers. but for our group, everyone has dedicated each career thus far

Rank 2 always starts within the first career (unless you transfer out early). Rank 1 is 0-9XP, and it takes 10XP to just clear out a career's 10 advances. That means that your last advance can buy a second training in a skill.

Rank 3 is even more disconnected from Career, because one usually has spent 12XP (10 from the career, 1 for dedication bonus, 1 to transfer) to get through a Career. By Rank 3, they are often only 8 advances into Career 2.

Of course, none of this takes into account out-of-career advances (as you mentioned) nor leaving a career unfinished.

I don't really see it as a problem. Rank and Career are two separate things. Tying the two together just delays the acquisition of Rank, and muddles what happens with unfinished careers.

Cabello said:

Ranks is about XP not completed careers ...otherwise you would hugely penalize those who purchase out of career advances .... which I actually like, so not ALL characters are one dimensional representations of their careers, especially those which tend to rail-road characters like wizards and priests ... likewise you would penalize those who might have been 'unlucky' to start out as something much different than what they would like to play ...

On the other hand - I HAVE thought about saying that it costs +1 xp to enter an Intermediate career if you have not completed a basic ...and likewise a +1xp if you have not completed an Intermediate career (or +2 if not completed a basic either)

Rank and Careers are different, so yes it is possible to pick up rank 2 abilities in your first career.

It's not a problem as far as I can see. The important point is you still can't take a second level in a skill.

1 rank per level and per career.

I have an Initiate of Morr that is about to purchase a 2nd rank Blessing.

StephenE said:

Actually, you can buy rank 2 for a skill that you bought during character creation (as it doesn't count as one raised in the career).

Thanks Doc. Forgot that semi-exception.

Doc, the Weasel said:

Er, no you can't.

While a PC’s initial career has some influence during the character
creation process, investments made during character creation do
not count toward career completion.
However, skills trained during character creation do count towards
the limit of one rank of skill training per character rank.

From the FAQ

StephenE said:

And again, not correct.

Rank 2 starts at 10XP, you can buy a second point in a skill with your 10th advance (if we're talking starting characters) or whenever you're still in the same career and go up a rank. e.g. starting your second career at 13XP (completed first career, dedication bonus and 2 advances to transition) you could buy the in-career skill Leadership at XP 17 and XP 20, both in the same career but in different ranks (Ranks 2 and 3 respectively).

Thanks. Apparently my group is playing a house rule or have misread the rules themselves.

So yes, Careers have no restrictions on buying ranks in a skill. only your character rank doe.

Thanks for the correction Matchstick

I'm sure you wouldn't have been the only one, they put it in the Frequently asked questions for a reason!

Matchstickman said:

Indeed, it counts as 1 training per Rank , not 1 training per Career . I don't see how having 2 trainings at Rank 2 counters that statement.

Edit: I see where we are miscommunicating. I failed to mention in the post you quoted that you can do this for 1 skill when you hit 10 XP, but are still in the same career. I was talking about it upthread, and assumed that it was clear that I was still referring to it. I believe that we are of the same mind on how this works. mea culpa.