Weird for it to only be under the template. Most of my players glossed over them to get a basic idea of how to build a character then went straight for creating their own custom character according to what they wish to play. It does seem to be an artificial attachment to the template as the section of the rules it references does not impose the limit, meaning it is only attached to a sorcerer template character. Any other kind of custom caster could then take as many refinements as they have refresh for. In the end it ends up being a campaign/ GM call.

Just my interpretation from the books and the power section; A wizard's biology is given as the reason why they have issues with technology. Normal non-wizard practitioners don't seem to be effected unless actively working magic and supernatural casters have to deliberately hex technology. Wizard Constitution is the RPG representation of that biology and a requirement to be a full wizard. I would say that having that power would cause them to hex technology without actively using magic in addition to being able to deliberately target tech.

Though at the same time I did not see any game advantages to being a wizard over a person with just Evocation, Thaumaturgy, and stacks of refinements. Even one of my players thought about a non-wizard wizard, meaning he had no interest in the Sight, Soulgaze, or Wizard's Constitution and I am hard pressed to give him a solid reason why spending the extra points are worth it mechanically if he doesn't want to use them as actually being a full wizard doesn't seem to have any advantages over not being a wizard and might include extra mechanical disadvantages. This is purely from the mechanical view. I can sorta justify the extras for decent story telling options, unique powerful contacts, ect but losing refresh for pure story can be a hard sell.

I may be reading it to restrictively; as years of gaming and GM'ing has taught me to =P.

I see it as the chart defines it. swords are weapon:2, two-handed weapons are weapon:3; to me that means if a weapon requires both hands to use properly like pole arms, bows, and the like its a weapon:3, if its usable with one hand but could be used two hands i still classify it at weapon:2 like baseball bats and the majority of swords. Claymore sized swords would one of the few exceptions for swords at weapon:3. A longsword fits at weapon:2

Mind you, this is my interpretation of the rules as i have found most players will try to get away with what ever they can and it has been the Gm's job to rein them back in without being too restrictive/ uncompromising.

That is kind of my question as well. I did not see an errata section on evil hat.

As for the crafting section; I did not see any rules that stated that "always on" items are not allowed, but I also did not see any rules stating that they were allow either. All of the examples are for Use/ session while at the same time having the warden sword as always weapon:3. We assumed that since the only one so far capable of crafting something like this is the senior warden, an almost senior council member level wizard, it would take some serious dedication to crafting in order to create something on par. Thus our rule; lots of items slots used up in Thaumaturgy focus items and many, many refinements in Thaumaturgy, plus crafting/ resource stunts as you cant expect a powerful permanent enchanted weapon to be made from a janitors mop (or some other low level resource item.

The only time I have heard/ seen someone actually wearing weapons were at official ceremonies/ functions. Weapon laws are fairly strict here to include import, export and ownership of swords. If you have the correct license and participate at the correct level of martial arts a person can carry/ own a real martial weapon. The police are allowed to stop you an inspect your credentials and as such they must be kept with the weapon at all times. The practice of carrying training weapon in similar cases is also very common. It is fairly common to see someone on the subway either going to or coming back from weapons training with a large cloth case on their back or over their shoulder. In game terms, with the right attitude (Presence) or a magical glamor the likelihood of someone here carrying a large "live" martial weapon is pretty good.

It is not much different than carrying guns in the states (depending on the state). People carrying a pistol or having rifle in the window of their trucks might get a few looks but if its legal in their state the looks are less "OMG they have a gun" and more "i dont like that they have a gun." On the other hand if people see someone walking downtown in full plate the person will stand out, might not be allowed into certain storefronts, questioned by children and possibly the police. If the person is wearing full modern swat gear the reactions are more likely to be far worse.

There's no reason a low-level character can't be well-equipped. Power doesn't affect the kind of mundane equipment you can use.

And if you own medieval battle weaponry that you actually know how to use, you are likely to own medieval battle armour.

Anyway, I'd expect having armour to be much easier than having a weapon. Wearing chainmail makes people think you're weird, but it doesn't attract the kind of negative attention that carrying a broadsword does.

The issue with armor is that it stands out more than a weapon (depending on location) and in YS p.202 under armor it states that armor lags behind weaponry as far a availability. I live in Tokyo and it is far more likely/ accepted (Here) to see people carrying wrapped weapons (generally in a cloth case) than wearing/ carrying armor of any kind, though a duffel bag filled with armor is way more common than someone actually wearing it on the subway. This also goes for modern armor/ weapons, not to mention that armor is also generally more expensive by at least one category than most equivalent tier weapons.