N18 Promotion to champion: free skill?

[lastbrat]

I recently bought the Delaque book and built a gang. The rules say my prospects may be promoted to a champion (either type) with sufficient advancements. They get to keep using their gear but trade their Prospect special rules for Champion special rules. All good. One thing is not discussed in the book or the 2023 rule book (which only makes the dumb statement that a model must be appropriate) is this: does athis promotion come with a free skill, which all champions get, like the advancement of a ganger to a specialist?

 

[Beebopalulla]

To my understanding no. A champion at creation have a free skill a juve who become one doesn't. As comparison a champion who replace a leader doesn't get a free skill. But i don't have the rules with me.

 

[katfezza]

No, no free skills for Prospects promoting to Champion. Their promotion is free (no XP spent and no change in value to gang rating), while a Specialist has to pay the XP so a free skill is provided to make that more of a worthwhile choice.

Generally you'll want to keep Prospects as they are to make best use of the cheaper advancements until they are at a level you are happy with, then aim to promote them for different skill and/or equipment access, or if a higher maximum characteristic is desired (Wounds most likely).