Rules Illegal Equipment in the Core Rulebook?

[Ravingdork]

I'm seeing some debates about the default assumptions of what kind of gear you can buy.

Some people are arguing that only level +1 items rare assumed to be readily available (and that level +2 items require GM permission, since what qualifies as a "major settlement" isn't really defined in the Core Rulebook).

Page 167: The game assumes that in typical settlements you can find and purchase anything with an item level no greater than your character level + 1, and at major settlements items up to your character level + 2.

Yet other people seem to be arguing that the percentage rules under the Wealth by level section are hard rules, rather than the suggestions that they were in Pathfinder.

Page 392: PCs built after 1st level should spend no more than 25% of their wealth on weapons and 25% on armor and protective devices.

So, taken together wouldn't this mean that a number of published items are illegal to obtain for your level? They either cost more than 25% of your total wealth, or are too high of a level.

Take the Ysoki refactor suit for example, would it not always be over 25% wealth when purchased at level 5 or even 6? How would you ever obtain it without breaking one rule or the other at those levels?

[Goddity]

The page 392 phrase "PCs built..." would seem to me that it's saying that it only applies to characters that start above level one. So it would apply on a character starting at 5th level, rending the Ysoki refractor suit out of range. However, during the game you can spend money however you like.

That's how I interpreted it.

[blashimov]

I assumed the 25% was a guideline. On level items seem to be *about* but slightly over 25% of WBL.

[dragonhunterq]

should =/= must