Ancestor traits on weapons

[Helvellyn]

The description of Ancestor traits only mentions abilities not weapons. For example:
kasatha (trait) A creature with this trait is a member of the kasatha ancestry. Kasatha are four-armed migrants from a dying world who value cosmic balance and tradition. An ability with this trait can be used or selected only by kasathas.

The same text is used on all Ancestry traits. Does a weapon count as an ability for this purpose?

[Finoan]

There isn't much meaningful rules text in these ancestry traits. And no, an ability is not the same as a weapon.

The purpose of these ancestry traits is to create groups and lists in a way that is future-proof - as new books with new equipment and abilities get printed, the existing rules can still work with them.

For example, the Kasatha Weapon Familiarity feat. It works with all currently printed weapons with the Kasatha trait. It also will work with all weapons with the Kasatha trait printed in the future.

As for being prevented from getting a weapon because it has the Kasatha trait, that is not what the trait does. That is instead controlled by the rarity traits. Uncommon or Rare weapons won't be available by default. Even an Uncommon weapon with the Kasatha trait does not automatically become available to a character with the Kasatha ancestry. That is another part of what the Kasatha Weapon Familiarity feat does - it requires the GM to allow access to the weapon list.

However, even without any feat or rules forcing the GM's hand in the matter, the GM can give access to Uncommon and Rare feats and equipment as they decide.

So for example, the Puzzleblade does not have the Uncommon or Rare traits, so every character has access to it by default. A Kasatha could buy one at most space dock weapon marts. As could a Pahtra or Vesk.

Taking the Kasatha Weapon Familiarity feat wouldn't do much because the weapon is Common and is also a simple weapon. It would give the character the critical specialization effect of the weapon at 5th level.

In the future, if there is a weapon printed that has the Kasatha and Uncommon traits, then none of those characters would have access to it. None of them could buy one in the local space dock weapon mart. If the Kasatha takes the Kasatha Weapon Familiarity feat, then they could get one - not from the standard weapon mart, but they can get them from somewhere. The Pahtra and Vesk still couldn't (arguably the Kasatha could buy three and the other two could buy one each from them - but if the GM isn't on board with that idea, don't treat your GM that way).

[Helvellyn]

Thanks for the response.