Adopted trait

[Dahmed]

this should be a relatively quick fix but I'm having some interpretation issues with the adopted trait. Players in my campaigns are starting with two traits each, neither of which can be from the same set of traits (i.e. cannot take 2 social traits). The problem i am running into is a dispute between 2 players. The first says that the adopted trait simply allows you to select an additional trait from the race trait list of a race other than your own. the second player is crying foul because taken like this it allows for someone to start with 3 traits (1st, adopted, and whatever race trait). while the adopted trait serves no other purpose than to allow access to the race trait the second player insists that it is there to allow the access not an additional trait beyond 2 and characters starting with adopted should only have the adopted trait and the race trait they choose to select.

so here is the core of my question. should the adopted trait allow for the possibility of 3 starting traits? or should the race trait selected and the adopted trait count independently and thus restrict anyone taking the adopted trait to only having one trait that provides a benefit to their character outside of back story elements?

[N N 959]

If you read the Adopted trait description it says you immediately get access to a Race trait. So technically, you get three traits, but the Adopted trait and the Race trait essentially merge into one benefit.

If we ignore the ability to pick a race trait, the character only has two traits that provide a true benefit.

And a common mistake is for people to pick a "racial" trait e.g. Darkvision, Elven Blood, etc.

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

Adopted gives you a third trait. It's meant to, because adopted gives you no benefit itself.

[Dahmed]

Thanks, for the responses. Just needed a bit of impartial arbitration in order to sooth my players.

[Fromper]

And that's the rule in PFS, which works the same way as you described your campaign.

[Kazaan]

Think of it this way; you use your Social trait for adopted which allows you to select a Race trait from some other race. You cannot now choose any other social trait. The cost is locking off the rest of the social trait list on order to take a trait off the race trait list instead. Also, you can't take another race trait with your "other" trait so, if you're Human and select Adopted (Elf) to take an Elf race trait, you can't pick a Human race trait since you're not allowed multiple traits from the same list (race). You're limited to magic, religious, etc. traits for your other trait.