Aspis agent clarification

[J fry]

So ordered the adventurers guide a while ago and started deep diving. I came across the aspis agent and the agency secret called vigilante agent and the wording is just confusing to me. I was hoping somebody might be able to help me understand it a bit better.

Vigilante Agent (Ex): The Aspis agent with vigilante class levels can select one social talent for which she qualifies. If she can gain vigilante talents from her vigilante class levels, she can instead select one vigilante talent for which she qualifies. Her Aspis agent levels stack with her vigilante class levels for any such talents she has with level-dependent effects, whether they were gained with this prestige class or another class. An Aspis agent with at least 1 vigilante level can select this agency secret twice

[Belafon]

Not sure what your question is, but I'll try to clear it up. This secret has two possible uses:

1. If the Agent has at least one vigilante level but not enough vigilante levels to take a vigilante talent (this usually means having only one vigilante level), she can choose a social talent (from the vigilante class). Her level for qualifying for the talent is equal to her vigilante levels only, but her level for using the talent is equal to her vigilante levels plus her Aspis Agent levels.

2. If the Agent has enough vigilante levels to take a vigilante talent (usually two) she can choose a social talent or a vigilante talent. Her level for qualifying for the talent is equal to her vigilante levels only, but her level for using the talent is equal to her vigilante levels plus her Aspis Agent levels.

I agree, the wording is confusing. Starting every secret with "The Aspis agent" scans like it was written by someone who is fluent in formal American English but not a native speaker. I'm wondering if the intention of this secret was to let any agent take it, but only for a social talent and only once unless they had vigilante levels. The Rogue Talent secret has similar poor wording.

If I was to rewrite it, I'd probably make it a bit stronger and a lot less confusing;

Quote:

The Aspis agent can select one social talent for which she meets the prerequisites from the vigilante's list of social talents. If the Aspis agent has at least one vigilante level she can choose a vigilante talent instead of a social talent. Her Aspis agent levels count as, and stack with, vigilante levels for level-dependent effects of any such talents, whether they were gained from this prestige class or another class. Aspis agent levels do not count as vigilante levels when meeting prerequisites. An Aspis Agent with at least one vigilante level can select this secret twice.

[J fry]

That is how I was interpreting it but I was confused because some archetypes give up vigilante talents at certain levels. So it I thought it might be interpreted as 4 levels vigilante 2 aspis agent nets you at 6th level and if you gave up 6th level talent you might not get it.