Ability tree

[MTVCCVC]

Post made at game version 1.065

The ability tree seems to be the only part of the gameplay design taht doesn't work at all.
The issue is primarily the way the ability pricing is designed.

Currently, it works in such a way that you you start with a price of 1 and increase by 1 for each ability following. This unfortunately results in the ability tree being completely neglected by me as after activating 4 abilites, the price is so high that I completely forget that about it and don't even want to bother.

Since it is already deisgned to have ability branches, it would be more useful to make the pricing teired, meaning that it every ability has its own price and that it basically increases the further down the branch you go.

This would make the ability tree more useful (or rather useful at all) and even encourage experimenting with multiple branches and ability combinations.

[mcgregor]

Totally agree with you. I went to easy mode with a little save editing just to get more abilities - although I was at the point where I could handle most fights!

Maybe the very OP skills could be level gated. Or like you said, just increase skill points for skills at the end. I'd like to grab the hunting ones for fun, but they aren't worth it when you have to consider offense and defense (staying alive) over the odd chance of shooting a wild boar for sport.

Edit: also that book skill points one is a massive waste as currently implemented.

[Kaerius]

There's really very little reason to go anywhere except the armor and rifle trees for yourself and any companion, Praetorian is pretty much required, and Witcher and Manhunter are just that good. Though I guess if you spec a follower for pistols, that tree is ok. You can also make a case for going 2 steps into the melee tree for the dodge bonus.

The rifle tree is especially important to the player character, being able to see what weapons the enemies have equiped, and everyone's hitpoints is a huge tactical advantage.

As mcgregor I too resorted to save editing. The system is just bad. I think they should've tiered the abilities and just made the capstones cost 3, and everything else 1 or 2 points. No linear increases. It's particularly awful with Alexander, who is pre-invested deeply into the melee tree.

[Schutzengel]

Have to agree. High ability costs suck starting even from early game.

Tiered costs or 1 perk / 3 levels. Powerful perks behind level restriction.

[pyatr]

Double this. Since everyone mentioned how ability trees suck I would also like to add that some possible beginning traits are useless like Cannibal, Ascetic, Black Belt, "Чумазый Охотник" and Wunderkind.

[phobos2077]

Wow, I've just made exactly the same suggestion as OP in another thread without seeing this one. You could say I agree )))
The only thing I would add is that the tree branches needs to be redesigned from ground-up (rearranged) for the new system to make more sense. Some less useful branches maybe need to be limited to 1 or 2 abilities (like hunting and fishing abilities, almost irrelevant for the game that is not an actual survival, you get tons of free food).