Rarity help and APG

[Micheal Smith]

Just trying to understand how all this works.

So after looking Amnesiac it is Rare, but it isn't on the restricted or limited list. So does that mean I can take this Background? If I missed something where did I go wrong?

If it is legal, it states the GM picks the 3rd option. How would that be handled?

[Pirate Rob]

It's standard availability.

Standard: These options follow the standard rules as printed in their respective sourcebooks. If a character wants to take this option, they must meet all its prerequisites as usual. If the option is uncommon or rarer, they must also have access to the option.

So you need something that gives you access (There isn't any)

[Micheal Smith]

Awesome. That is what I thought. But for any options that require a GM to choose who chooses?

[Pirate Rob]

Micheal Smith wrote:

Awesome. That is what I thought. But for any options that require a GM to choose who chooses?

Example of a PFS available option that requires a GM choice?

[Micheal Smith]

Robert Hetherington wrote:

Micheal Smith wrote:

Awesome. That is what I thought. But for any options that require a GM to choose who chooses?

Example of a PFS available option that requires a GM choice?

The very option I started the thread with, Amnesiac

“ Advanced Player's Guide pg. 50” wrote:

You gain three free ability boosts. You choose two, and the GM chooses the third based on their first inklings of your character’s possible history.

[CorvusMask]

Presumably if there ever is option to pick that particular rare boon, the option that gives access to it explains who picks the third ability boost

[Micheal Smith]

So then can I not select this option? I guess I still don’t understand. Sorry. If I can’t select it then it shouldn’t be standard option...

[CorvusMask]

Micheal Smith wrote:

So then can I not select this option? I guess I still don’t understand. Sorry. If I can’t select it then it shouldn’t be standard option...

I'm agreeing you there, it really sounds like it should be limited option instead of standard.

Standard just means that if you have access to it, you can pick it without requiring boons and such. But in case of rare backgrounds, in normal game access would be "GM allows it". I don't think though invidual gm can allow or disallow player options in Society though... So I guess only thing to do is to wait until rule team clarifies whether its limited option or something everyone can pick.

[GM Suede]

As Robert posted, Standard access means you can take it "If you have something that gives you access to it" when it's rare or uncommon.

Common stuff is always accessible unless the Additional resources bans it.

Uncommon and Rare are not. You need something (A class feature, a racial feature, a boon, or the AR telling you, etc) in order to use it.

There is currently nothing in PFS that gives you access to rare backgrounds, so you can't take them.

Standard access works fine, it means if they do decide they want to let people use it later, they don't have to change the AR. And it saves them a lot of space and time not having to go through and list out every uncommon or rare item out as not accessible on the AR, because it's assumed unless you have a way to unlock it as noted above.

[Hmm]

There were some rare options unlocked at GenCon's charity auction, and I have personally seen one rare option unlocked on a chronicle. There is also one rare versatile heritage (Duskwalker) currently unlockable with AcP.

Hmm

EDIT: Actually, Duskwalker is listed as uncommon, though all of its fluff is rarity.

[Nefreet]

Micheal Smith wrote:

I guess I still don’t understand.

To select any option there are basically 3 criteria you need to check off:

• Prerequisites

You may need to be a certain level, alignment, have a certain stat, be Trained in a Skill, etc. to satisfy an option's prerequisites.

• Rarity

Common, Uncommon and Rare. Common are available to everyone, so long as you meet the other two criteria. Uncommon and Rare options need some other ability (a specific class, ancestry, specialization, etc) before you can select it.

• Access

This is the most confusing term, and it's likely the source of your misunderstanding. I would use the term "legality", instead. Is the option restricted on the Additional Resources list for Society? If it's not, then it has standard availability. If it is, then it's restricted.

Assuming that people know these terms when they're clearly confused is not helpful.

[Hmm]

One thing that I found interesting about the rare backgrounds is that in many cases there is a common background or archetype that does many of the same things.

So being Cursed (APG) is rare, but having a Cursed Family (LOWG) is not. Being Blessed (APG) is rare, but being a Blessed One archetype (also APG) is not.

Can we help you find a fun background tor your character that will also do? I don't think that Amnesiac will ever be allowed in Society play as a background because it requires too much GM heavy lifting.

Hmm

[Hmm]

A couple days ago, I made some silly commentary on how the rare APG backgrounds are not rare at all, but are instead ones most commonly sought out by players. I think one fifth of the home games I've run as a GM have featured an amnesiac in the party. My current Starfinder AP home game has one, and I'm plotting a nasty family reunion that the player will LOVE as we speak.

(Rosc, if you're reading this, you should be experiencng a frisson delicious dread.)

IDEAS FOR BACKGROUNDS

However there is a difference between mechanics and storytelling. If what you want is to have a blank spot in your past, that is doable. Pick a background that indicates you were a foundling or an escaped slave or something else equally traumatic. You may not be able to remember everything, but you can remember the last 3-4 years. It's just your childhood that was a mystery. Since I don't think story should be forbidden by mechanics, here are some backgrounds that I thought might be great for a foundling with memory loss:

From CRB:

Acolyte -- found by a temple.

Street Rat -- raised yourself.

From APG:

Ward -- found by a wealthy family and raised reluctantly but never loved as their own.

From LOWG:

Child of the Puddles -- like street rat, you raised yourself.

Freed slave -- When you were found, you fell into the WRONG HANDS.

Hermean Expatriate -- You didn't measure up, so they tossed you out. I could see them wiping huge sections of your memory before they expelled you, but leaving you with your training.

Wildwood Local -- Found and later raised by druids.

Choose something that fits your story idea and character concept, and run with it!

[Micheal Smith]

I guess I misunderstood having access to it. Either way I spoil feel that these should not be Standard, but limited. Just how I read things and view it. I don’t something I am not seeing on my side. Either way thanks all for help clarifying.

I just started to look over APG and on Archive of Nethys it had the Standard symbol by it so I was curious. I am actually theory crafting a character and choosing between several others. Actually putting more thought in to me 2E characters (role playing aspect) vs just throwing together things and going with it.

Just trying to get a grasp on all of the second edition stuff. I like knowing everything.

[GM OfAnything]

Micheal Smith wrote:

I guess I misunderstood having access to it. Either way I spoil feel that these should not be Standard, but limited. Just how I read things and view it. I don’t something I am not seeing on my side. Either way thanks all for help clarifying.

The term "limited" is used for rules that are less available than what is printed in the rulebook. There is no reason for PFS to list something as Rare, if it is already listed as Rare in the rulebook.

All that "standard" means is that you should look in the book to check the rarity tag, as PFS is making not change to what is already printed.