Yes, they're not the same and are currently somewhat contradicting. If you wanted to be really pedantic, you could even point out that the rules in the Organized Play Basics only apply in settlements above a certain size, while the rules in the Player Basics have no such restriction. But that would be even more non-sensical as it would allow easier access to higher level common gear in smaller settlements...
I expect the rules in the Player Basics section to be cut and the rules in the Organized Play Basics to be the ones that we're intended to use. But until that happens, who knows...
I do have a remotely related question, however: if you gain access to an uncommon item, do you also gain access to variations of it, i.e. different materials, different runes applied, etc.? That is, assuming you have access to these materials and/or runes.
E.g., let's say my character has a chronicle that gives him access to the uncommon martial weapon Spiked Chain.
-Would that also allow him to purchase a +1 Spiked Chain (since the +1 rune is common and level 2, it should generally be available to all characters, regardless which of the two guidelines you use)?
-Similarly, would it also allow him to buy a low-grade cold iron Spiked Chain (low-grade cold iron being a common level 2 material)?
I have so far always assumed that that was the case, but a recently published scenario rewards an uncommon weapon for subtier 1-2 and a +1 version of the same uncommon weapon for subtier 3-4. So is that just redundant or have I been doing it wrong so far?
During the scenario (if you get it at all) you are actually given either a low-grade cold iron version for subtier 1-2 or a +1 striking version for subtier 3-4.
In the chronicle, those are reduced to what I've listed above. So there was no actual copy/paste involved here.
Relatedly, do you actually strike it from your chronicle, after you have first bought it? Say, if the initially bought Spiked Chain got destroyed, can I buy a new one, or do I have to wait until I get another one on another chronicle?
From a practical point of view, I think it makes the most sense to allow access to that pattern of weapon, once you've had it on your chronicle, and allow for different materials as well. Or at least use such a rule for uncommon items, while you could have more restrictive rules for rare items, with unique items obviously being non-replacable...
So with two conflicting and contradicting rules at hand, it was the GMs call to adjudicate which rule was valid, right?
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Yes. And I ruled it could not be used. And also felt like the concept of org play as a consistent, fairly adjudicated system was undermined in everyone’s eyes. As the local VC one would think a basic rule like this would be within my knowledge to define, but I only have the guide to go off of just like everyone else.
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While I agree that the guide has a problem here, I think the intent is clear.
About a half dozen sections of the guide say it's anything common up to your level or level +2 from a chronicle sheet.
One section, using a slightly odd wording says something else.
That said, if you feel otherwise there's just enough evidence based on that last quote that I couldn't definitively say you were wrong.
You can always purchase the following items so long as you’re in a settlement of at least 5,000 residents (and scenarios may
sometimes provide additional allowances or limitations):
• Any common equipment in sanctioned Pathfinder content with an item level equal to or less than your character’s level (minimum
2).
• Any uncommon equipment in sanctioned Pathfinder content with an item level equal to or less than your character’s level
(minimum 2); your character must have access to this uncommon equipment such as through meeting its Access condition.
• Any equipment listed on your character’s Chronicle sheets with an item level equal to or less than your character’s level + 2.
Some items found on Chronicle sheets are available for purchase only a limited number of times.
• Any items and services purchased with Fame
You can also spend your wealth to purchase any common item of your level or lower, including common items without a listed level.
J. Items*: Characters gain access to the items listed in this section with a level up to their character level +2
The character has earned a reputation for performing unseemly deeds. The maximum item level of equipment the character can purchase decreases by 1 (to a minimum of level 1 equipment). This typically means that the PC can purchase equipment with an item level equal to their level – 1 and can purchase equipment listed on a Chronicle sheet only if its level is at most 1 higher than their level
Characters can purchase items of up to their level, or up to their level + 2 when they appear on a Chronicle sheet.
As you complete adventures, you will gain more wealth that can be used to buy any common item that is no more than 2 levels higher
than your current level. Uncommon items may be granted by Chronicle sheets or through other special boons.