Don't save skill books!

[deadsanta]

I could have a hundred titles like this of bad advice I see endlessly repeated on forums, but this is the canard I see most often: That you should wait until your final skill point to use a skill book, to maximize the free 8 skill points you get from doing that.

Bad idea all around, here's why:

1. The difference between 6->8 skill points is negligible, that's only one level difference for the dumbest Ranger out there.

2. You typically need those points earlier, especially if you are playing on high difficulty. Using a skill book for the level 4 or level 6 bump means not delaying 12 or so levels to get a bonus item-looting point, or what have you. That means easier, earlier access to better loot or dialogue options or weapon skill/perk.

3. There are many later game items that add +1, 2 or even 3 points to a skill (Demolitions gets a 3 pointer, many others get +2), and you get zero benefit from a skill "greater" than 10, it caps there. Many skills other than weapon skills shouldn't go higher than 8, since you'll be swapping out that trinket to, say, clear a minefield or open several locked chests at once (cat burgler mask +2 to safe/lockpick)

That means you probably shouldn't wait until level 6 to cash in your skill books, just start at level 4.

Rule of thumb, tl;dr: >4 skill points a level, use books at skill level 4 or above. 4+/skill points a level, use skill books at skill level 6+

[SlicerDicer]

i save them because i don't like to micro manage trinkets or reload the extr 5 times to get the success.

8 skill points is 2 character levels if you INT is 8. or 3 character level if your INT is 4,5,6 or 7

It significantly changes how you build you 4 main rangers.

I guess you also don't use the Delayed Gratification quirk either. Since it takes 20 levels to see the benefit.

[Cutlass Jack]

I use em when skills start costing 6/point. (Level 7) Levels cheaper than that are easy to gain, and the one level more expensive can be covered by a trinket in a pinch.

The only exception to this is if there's a perk I want that unlocks at the 10th point. Then its smarter to save the book.

[Kalsu]

If you're trying to build a jack of all trade team without having everyone at 10 intelligence then yes , you should wait until the last needed level unless you like swapping trinkets all the times.

Lots of books are only available in LA when your skill should be around 8-9 once you're there and skill like demolition , alarm , smart ass , field medic , surgeon , wilderness and some more can be maxed early since you get those books in arizona.

For those that want the most out of skill points should wait until they get the skill level they need (especially at higher difficulty) before using the books but if you like to reload all the time to swap trinkets you might not find before late in game then by all mean use them early.

[Dorok]

For me the game doesn't manage it well, it's weird design to have such stuff to delay until end game. And not do it as explain OP makes sense but always let a bad taste in mouth.

For me the good way is as do games as Dvinity Original Sin, they are recorded separately as permanent bonus so don't influence skills costs.

[deadsanta]

Originally posted by SlicerDicer:

i save them because i don't like to micro manage trinkets or reload the extr 5 times to get the success.

8 skill points is 2 character levels if you INT is 8. or 3 character level if your INT is 4,5,6 or 7

It significantly changes how you build you 4 main rangers.

I guess you also don't use the Delayed Gratification quirk either. Since it takes 20 levels to see the benefit.

1. If you decline to use a skill book until skill 9, then you will savescum FAR more times between skill 4-9 than you would saving it until skill 10.

2. Level 6-9 is 6 skill points to upgrade. Level 9->10 is 8 skill points to ug. You are only saving 2 skill points by waiting to level 9 to use a book. Foolish, negligible gain, and definitely not 2 levels worth of points, more like 1/2 of one.

3. I use delayed grat all the time, because you're not even halfway through AZ on a speed run when you hit level 20, that's a false equivalence right there. Using delayed Grat is the equivalent of using a skill book at skill level 5, in other words: Exactly what I recommend you do.

You are the guy who I'm writing this post to warn newbs about, your math sucks and your strategy to min/max is joyless and moreover, wrong.

[////]

indeed, sometimes 1 up in demolitions or safecracking can drastically rise odds and save you lot of time. why would anyone want to make game less frustrating only in the end, when there are not much left to do?