Change actors variables before possessing or spawning them?

Is it possible to modify the variables of an actor from blueprints before you possess them? Or even from before spawning said actor? I’ve currently got a UI which is set up and works for changing weapons while the actor has spawned however I want to set up a system where I can change the loadout before the actor has spawned. Casting to the player doesnt seem to work when there is no player there.