Reptilia Domain

Question

Going through the paces of building a Reptilia faction I have started to run into a few things that make me think the Reptilia domain has gone through several stages of development. In many degenerative branches for example, there is a trait granting acces to primitive and simple equipment, which I heard is now always available to everyone.

I will try to condense it into a couple of separate questions, but I cannot help but feel like the Reptilia domain could do with a thorough rewrite/errata.

Is there a difference between a "Bloodline" and a "Bloodline Trait"? The terms seem to be used interchangeably, but sometimes the text suggests there is a nuance.
If I have a bloodline as a species trait, can I replace it with a different bloodline for my classes, or do I specifically have to spend a class trait to replace my bloodline?
Is there a penalty for taking traits across lineages? Because as it is now, certain traits seem strictly worse than others. For example: Tuatara can pick up Chameleon for 8pts, and in the Gargoyle branch you can pick it up for 3pts, so why ever take the Tuatara one?
Speaking of branches, are the Degenerative Species parts of a lineage considered a separate Branch of Life from the Lineage?
Also what "tier" traits are Degenerative Species traits?

These are just some things I feel could do with some clarification. The way the introduction to the domain is written it seems like bloodlines, lineages, and "Degenerative Species" used to interact differently from how they do now in previous iterations of the game.

Jack Rocchio · Accepted Answer

I think you're right on Reptilia having gone through the greatest number of changes. If you've read the Errata, they even got a straight buff with Reptilian Rigor. Regardless, let's get into it.

Bloodlines are what reduces your Trait prerequisites for a specific Lineage. Bloodline Traits are those Traits that can be folded into a Bloodline, becoming a single Trait that allows you to(sort of) cheat the starting Trait limit. Bloodlines are always presented first, followed by the Traits that can be incorporated into them. You can still pick these up after composing your original Bloodline, if you wish.
You would have to spend a Class Trait to replace your entire Bloodline and all Bloodline Traits, even if they aren't combined with the original Bloodline.
If you take a Trait from another Lineage, you're back to the starting restrictions for accessing higher Tiers of Traits. Not a problem if you're looking for an entry level Trait, big problem if you're not. Also note that any Traits in a Lineage stack with each other, and aren't considered separate Branches of Life. If you're asking why those two things are balanced the way they are, I don't have an answer for you.
Devolutionary Branches are considered separate.
They're all considered Tier 1. This is true for all Branches of Life that don't explicitly divide themselves into multiple Tiers.

Jack Rocchio · Answer

@Ward Bannink I meant that any Traits within a specific Lineage stack. Anything under the big 'Draconic' header would stack together, but not across Lineages. In this case, Draconic Bloodline, Draconic Bloodline Traits, any Regions, and the actual Draconic Lineage Branch are all considered the same.

No Troglodyte Traits would stack because they are a separate Lineage. They and non-Draconic Reptilia get to stack their Bloodline/Bloodline Traits/Lineage Traits together.

Finally, Devolutionary Traits never stack outside of their specific Branch.

Ward Bannink · Answer

@Jack Rocchio Wait wait wait... Lineages are -not- considered separate branches of life? So if I get a Strength increasing trait from draconic and from troglodyte, those would stack with one another? Or do you mean it'd stack if one trait would come from troglodyte, and the other from the troglodyte devolved branch?