diff --git a/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Private/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.cpp b/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Private/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.cpp
index 1546278..8a11efd 100644
--- a/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Private/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.cpp
+++ b/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Private/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.cpp
@@ -2,3 +2,19 @@
 
 
 #include "AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.h"
+
+#include "AbilitySystemComponent.h"
+#include "VRGASUtils.h"
+
+void UVRStartupAbilitySystemData::GiveToAbilitySystemComponent(UAbilitySystemComponent* InAbilitySystemComponent, int32 ApplyLevel)
+{
+	check(InAbilitySystemComponent)
+
+	AActor* AvatarActor = InAbilitySystemComponent->GetAvatarActor();
+
+	UVRGASUtils::BatchGrantAbilities(StartupAbilities, InAbilitySystemComponent, ApplyLevel);
+	UVRGASUtils::BatchGrantAbilitySets(StartupAbilitySets, InAbilitySystemComponent);
+
+	// Should the avatar actor be the source of the attribute set initializer effect?
+	UVRGASUtils::ApplyEffectToTargetASC(InAbilitySystemComponent, AttributeInitEffect, AvatarActor, AttributeInitLevel);
+}
diff --git a/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Public/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.h b/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Public/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.h
index 577dd1f..5fcaa9e 100644
--- a/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Public/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.h
+++ b/Plugins/VRGAS/Source/VRGAS/Public/AbilitySystem/StartupData/VRStartupAbilitySystemData.h
@@ -10,8 +10,12 @@
 
 struct FVRAbilitySet;
 class UGameplayAbility;
+
 /**
- * 
+ * @class UVRStartupAbilitySystemData
+ *
+ * A data asset that contains information about initial abilities, ability sets,
+ * and attribute initialization effects that should be given to an ability system component.
  */
 UCLASS()
 class VRGAS_API UVRStartupAbilitySystemData : public UDataAsset
@@ -19,15 +23,19 @@ class VRGAS_API UVRStartupAbilitySystemData : public UDataAsset
 	GENERATED_BODY()
 
 public:
-	
+	// Gives abilities and ability sets to the target ASC, as well as applies the attribute initializer gameplay effect
+	virtual void GiveToAbilitySystemComponent(UAbilitySystemComponent* InAbilitySystemComponent, int32 ApplyLevel = 1);
+
+	// Add accessors as needed
+protected:
 	UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Starup Data|Abilities")
-	TArray<UGameplayAbility> StartupAbilities;
+	TArray<TSubclassOf<UGameplayAbility>> StartupAbilities;
 
 	UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Starup Data|Abilities")
 	TArray<FVRAbilitySet> StartupAbilitySets;
 
 	UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly, Category = "Startup Data|Attributes")
-	UGameplayEffect AttributeInitEffect;
+	TSubclassOf<UGameplayEffect> AttributeInitEffect;
 
 	UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly, Category = "Startup Data|Attributes")
 	float AttributeInitLevel = 1.f;