I have a slight problem with the arbites starting skills and talents. With the new Beta Update, the depressing arbitrator falls behind in skills and talents even more so.. S/he now stands alone with a total of 4 skills (~600xp) and 3 talents (900xp), (Total of ~1500xp) compared to the other backgrounds, the arbitrator has at least one less in total, which puts him around 300xp less than everyone else.

The Administratum has 5 skills (~750xp) and 3 talents (1000xp), for a total of 8. (~1750xp)

The Psykers have 3 skills (~450xp) and 5 talents (Now) (1400xp), for a total of 8. (~1850xp)

The Mechanicus has 5 skills (~750xp) and 4 talents (1200xp), for a total of 9. (~1950xp)

The Ministorum has 5 skills (~1050xp) and 3 talents (900xp), for a total of 8 (~1950xp)

The Guardsman has 7 skills (~1050xp) and 3 talents (800xp), for a total of 10 (~1850xp)

The Outcast has 7 skills (~1050xp) and 3 talents (800xp), for a total of 10.(~1850xp)

The arbitrator got the shaft here guys.

Arbitrators also have the only bonus that helps directly in combat. I'm not sure how you want to value that, but looking at skills and talents alone doesn't give you the complete picture.

I posted some comparison numbers in a thread in game mechanics. The arbites I ranked third from last due to taking starting equipment into account. Their average skill xp total is around 587, though, which is second to last. The worst category right now is actually the poor administratum players.

A simple fix would be slightly better gear (A Shock Maul), and Weapon Proficiency (Shock) in addition to what they get already.

In my opinion they really should equalize the actual XP value of each background, and the gear value. I don't like that it's a situation of 'this one has less XP value, but better gear', because gear doesn't stay with you forever, but the skills, talents and traits do. You'll essentially be slightly behind your allies forever, assuming everyone is raking in the same XP.

Tom Cruise, I'm right with you on that. Starting Skill XP needs to be equalized when compared to the differing skill costs of roles. This means either giving a set number of XP to spend on skills, or putting starting skills and Skill costs in the same category. I think the backgrounds should balance XP of skills and XP of talents with some getting more talents and some getting more skills. And I agree with you on equalizing equipment values as well. Give everyone equipment worth equal availabilities.

A suggestion. I've put together some XP builds that are all even. I'm not sure what to do re: equipment, though. Note that every background gives two options, too.

Adeptus Administratum

Skills: Commerce, Linguistics, Logic, Medicae or Observe, Remembrance 750

Talents: Keen Intuition, Peer (Pick One), Specialist (Adeptus Administratum), Weapon Training (Las) 1100

Adeptus Ministorum

Skills: Charm, Command, Intimidate, Linguistics, Observe 750

Talents: Peer (Pick One), Public Speaking, Specialist (Adeptus Ministorum), Weapon Training (Chain or Flame) 1100

Adeptus Mechanicus

Skills: Athletics or Remembrance, Commerce, Logic, Medicae or Subterfuge, Tech Use 750

Talents: Cold Hearted, Mechadendrite Use, Specialist (Adeptus Mechanicus), Weapon Training (Low Tech) 1100

Outcast

Skills: Acrobatics or Evade, Charm or Intimidate, Deceive, Stealth, Subterfuge 750

Talents: Evasive, Peer (Pick One), Specialist (Pick One), Weapon Training (Solid Projectile) 1100

Adeptus Arbites

Skills: Command or Subterfuge, Evade, Investigate, Intimidate, Observe 750

Talents: Keen Intuition or Quick Draw, Specialist (Adeptus Arbites), Weapon Training (Shock, Solid Projectile) 1100

Sanctioned Psyker

Skills: Commerce or Evade, Observe or Logic, Linguistics, Psyniscience, Remembrance 750

Talents: Cold Hearted, Resistance (Psychic Powers), Specialist (Adeptus Astra Telepathica), Weapon Training (Low Tech) 1100

Imperial Guard

Skills: Athletics, Command or Intimidate, Evade, Medicae, Navigate, Pilot or Observe, Survival 1050

Talents: Brace For Impact, Weapon Training (Las, Solid Projectile) 800

I must admit, though, the Peer talents I've given above seem a little tacked on.