When discussing an edge if you're told "You will never be able to learn X", is that absolute? Or that there might be some prereq that you don't yet meet, e.g. you have the skill that the edge ties to, but perhaps don't have high enough skill % in it yet?

If your skill isn't high enough, that's a different message. That one means something like you need a stat higher than your race can have, your class/race/alignment is wrong, and so on.

What are the prereqs for counterpunch edge? Seemed odd that a str based build couldn't pick it.

It has a DEX requirement. Thematically, you're quick enough that while you're using evasion, you also can sneak some hits in.

Given the low number of hth spec edges available (only two with this limitation). While thematically it can be argued to require "extra" dex, you could just as well say that it's simply part of the technique for these masters of evasion. I just feel the more choices for character customization there is the better, so care should be taken if/when creating any "artificial" edge obstacles for different builds...

By the way, can you discuss at level 1 before practicing anything and get the correct "You will never learn X", if applicable (to make sure you'll have the chance to check a specific edge)?

Very often the edge has decreasing effectiveness as the stat it relates to reduces. The inability to take an edge is often tied in with where the edge would be of negligible use if you did take it.

For example, spine of the akragaka works off strength. Felar can't take it. But if they could, it probably wouldn't be doing much for them anyway.

Personally, I like that different chars have different edges available to them. I could see giants getting a crushing blow edge while agile races get a counterpunch edge.

Consider all the other skills that hit back when avoiding an attack:
1) riposte, dex based
2) concealed, dex based
3) backfist, dex based.

They could equally well not care about them (even if the original skill does).

Would it be possible for 'discuss prereq' to list the prereqs even when "You'll never be able to learn X"? It'd be nice to know *why* you can't learn it, so you'll have an idea what's required e.g. for future characters.

It could go in the edge help file? Might be more work but it would
Cover situations where multiple criteria are impossible to meet.

On the downside, it would allow someone to determine if there's a criterion relating to imm exp and then go rp with imms just to get it. So if we did go this route is suggest that exp can't be given for immteraction, and only for interaction amongst mortals when they don't know an imm is watching.