[Suggestion] Passive Skill Tree for Beginners and Advanced Players

So I admit that I like your Passive Skill Tree system, but I think that it lacks something.

Pros:
- endless possibilities when it comes to creating builds
- keystones
- it's unique

Cons:
- it's overwhelming
- unfriendly for new players
- too complex at the beginning
- it's easy to make a bad build
- it's hard to make a good build without choosing unnecessary passive skills

My suggestions (short):
-2 Passive Skill Trees - Basic and Expert
-Path System
-Elite Path System
-Skill Points and Exile Stones
-Shift System


My suggestions (long):
1) 2 Passive Skill Trees - Basic and Expert:
a) Basic:
- unique for every class
- it's simple and easy to understand
- no keystones
- no broken/bad builds
- the further you go, the less choices you have
- allows access to Expert Passive Skill Tree
- less respecs
- Path System (only choices in Basic Passive Skill Tree)
- so Basic Passive Skill Tree = Path System

Path System:
- it consists of several different paths that can be chosen by a player
- path = something like a customizable pre-made build
- player has to choose 1 of those paths
- every path offers some limited choices
- it's simple and easy to understand

b) Expert:
- accessible after completing path that has been chosen by a player in Basic Passive Skill Tree
- the further you go, the more choices you have
- every class starts in a different place, but there is only one Expert Passive Skill Tree
- allows to create hybrid builds
- it’s complex
- the further you go, the more choices you have
- more respecs
- Elite Path System (additional choices in Expert Passive Skill Tree)
- Shift System

Elite Path System:
- more noticeable changes/choices
- keystones
- player can access only a certain number of elite paths
- requires Exile Stones
- the further you go, the less choices you have
- the further you go in unlocked elite path, the more Exile Stones you need


2) Skill Points and Exile Stones
a) Skill Points:
- used in Basic and Expert Passive Skill Tree
- source: leveling up and quest rewards

b) Exile Stones:
- used in Expert Passive Skill Tree
- source: drops in PvE and PvP
- give access to elite paths
- there are different types of Exile Stones = they allow to unlock specific type of elite path/shift point
- they allow to go further within chosen elite path
- types of Exile Points/Elite Paths: Red (Strength), Green (Dexterity), Blue (Intelligence), Yellow (Strength+Dexterity), Magenta (Strength+Intelligence), Cyan (Dexterity+ Intelligence), White (the rarest one, unlocks every type of elite path, allows to use Swap System)


3) Shift System:
- move freely across the Expert Passive Skill Tree
- this system consists of shift points, first you need to access a shift point, then you use White Exile Stone in order to unlock this shift point and another White Exile Stone in order to get access to the shift point of your choice/specific Exile Stone to get access to starting point of another character class
- starting points of other classes = shift points
- there is a certain number of swap points within Expert Passive Skill Tree
- only in Expert Passive Skill Tree
- it offers more complexity
- it offers more freedom
- player can use it X times


Pros of my suggestions:
- it offers complexity and simplicity
- perfect for beginners
- BPST = no bad build
Cons of my suggestions:
- I do not make games
- it need to be tried out


That's all.

I don't know how much you thought about it, but to me your idea can't work as a whole. And it doesn't look simpler to be honest, there are 2 trees, 3(?) types of points...

However, there are several nice ideas. Like, there could be a list of early game pre-made builds that you would select somewhere, then it would highlight the corresponding nodes in the tree.

To push it further, pre-made builds could be loot that you can find on mobs or offered in quests, they'd be kept in a kind of diary where they're all listed. You'd be offered the most simple builds after the first quests. Then you could find more convoluted ones later.
Also you could add custom builds to this diary, this would be a way to bring features such as build planning and future nodes highlighting into the game.

Naturally, for players like me who like making their own stuff without any help, this would be useless. But I think such a feature could help beginners.

This simple thing answers almost all the cons you listed ;)

So I have to grind to get currency just to be able to play the game as it is now, and even if I do I still have to follow a baby's first build WoW style until I get to a point that allows me to use my "play the game the fun way" currency?

HELL NO.

Perhaps a better approach would be the ability to set up pre-made build-guides that kind of high-light or outline certain skill paths for the desired build. These could easily be community created, with perhaps some of the more popular distributed with the client for newer players. I'm talking about simply loading an xml file (or even just the code from the skill planner) into the clients skill tree and having it outline the skills from it.

This way we don't need to make the skills system even more complex, and it gives new players a general idea of how they 'should' be building (if they take the time to look).

"

Chris wrote:

Thank you for your feedback! Nice ideas.

Thank you. I appreciate it.




1) There are only 2 trees: Basic and Expert.
a) Basic - it consists of Path System that is unique for every class. It's perfect for beginners because it basically doesn't allow you to make an awfwul build. You choose one path, you customize it and you have a great character. It still offers enough freedom so advanced players won't be disappointed.
b) Expert - it is much more complex than Basic one. It offers something similar to current Passive Skill Tree. Elite Path System is something like Planar Attunement from Rift+prestige classes from "D&D"+keystones from "PoE". Elite Path System is a part of Expert Passive Skill Tree.


Summary:
Basic = Path System (customizable builds, it looks like a less complex Passive Skill Tree, but it's different when it comes to operating)

Expert = something like current Passive Skill Tree+Elite Path System

2): There are only two type of Skill Points:
Skill Points (used in Basic and Expert Passive Skill Tree) and Exile Stones (used in Elite Path System+Shift System)



Progress:
1st difficulty - you use Basic Passive Skill Tree:
- something for beginners and advanced players
- you have a nice character
- you learn how Passive Skill Tree system works
- freedom+some restrictions
- gives access to Expert Tree (you have to invest XX Skill Points to gain this access, no grind is needed to reach this amount, at the end of 1st difficulty you have enough points)
- after investing those XX Skill Points your Path System is completed and you can't invest more Skill Points
- you use Skill Points

2nd difficulty - you use Expert Passive Skill Tree:
- something for beginners (thanks to the Basic Passive Skill Tree) and advanced players (those who like the current Passive Skill Tree)
- much more freedom
- hybrid builds
- you use Skill Points

3rd difficulty - you use Elite Path System:
- your character collects high level/max level gear+Exile Stones
- you use Skill Points and Exile Stones/only Exile Stones
- Exile Stones drop only in 3rd difficulty areas
- you don't have to grind in order to get those stones, but they won't drop like crazy
- keystones
- hybrid builds
- freedom, freedom, freedom
- something for high level+max level characters
- you can unlock only X Elite Paths

At the 3rd difficulty level you can also use Shift System thanks to Exile Stones.

Witch - examples of Path System:

Vessel - “I am full to the brim with magic.”:
Primary Passive Skills = increased maximum Mana
Secondary Passive Skills = Flask Mana, Spell Damage, Wand Accuracy, Avoid Cast Interruption, Energy Shield

Elementalist – “Elements do my bidding.”:
Primary Passive Skills = Fire/Cold/Lightning Damage
Secondary Passive Skills = Wand Elemental Damage, Wand Fire/Cold/Lightning Damage, Shock Duration, Burn Damage, Chill Duration

Spellweaver – “Finished already?”:
Primary Passive Skills = Cast Speed
Secondary Passive Skills = Wand Attack Speed, Mana Gain on Killing Blow, Spell Critical Strike Damage Multiplier

Lady of Destruction – “No one can stop me!”:
Primary Passive Skills = Spell Damage
Secondary Passive Skills = Spell Critical Chance, Spell Critical Strike Damage Multiplier, Fire Damage, Burn Damage

Dynamo – “Endless energy courses through my body.”:
Primary Passive Skills = Mana Regeneration
Secondary Passive Skills = Wand Damage, Spell Damage, Lightning Damage, Chance to Shock

Necromancer – “My servants will find you.”:
Primary Passive Skills = Minion Life, Minion Damage
Secondary Passive Skills = Flask Mana, Life, Additional Minions, increased maximum Mana

Diamond Countess – “Magic warp surrounds me.”:
Primary Passive Skills = Energy Shield
Secondary Passive Skills = Energy Shield Delay, Cold Damage, Wand Accuracy, Freeze Duration, Chill Duration

Ranger - examples of Path System:

Amazon – “I fear no one!”:
Primary Passive Skills = Projectile Damage
Secondary Passive Skills = Movement Speed, Bow Damage, Life, Stun Recovery

Survivor – “Is that all you've got?”:
Primary Passive Skills = Life
Secondary Passive Skills = Melee Damage, Shield Block, One Handed Damage, Evasion on Shield, Block Recovery

Trickster – “Dance with me!”:
Primary Passive Skills = Evasion
Secondary Passive Skills = Avoid Stun, Melee Damage, Dual Wield Damage, Dagger Damage

Sharpshooter – “My bow is deadly, my arrows are fast.”:
Primary Passive Skills = Bow Speed
Secondary Passive Skills = Bow Critical Strike Multiplier, Flask Life, Skill Duration

Huntress – “I can smell your fear.”:
Primary Passive Skills = Bow Damage
Secondary Passive Skills = Life Gain on Killing Blow, Mana Regeneration, Movement Speed

Eagle Eye – “3, 2, 1! Run!”:
Primary Passive Skills = Bow Accuracy
Secondary Passive Skills = Bow Critical Strike Chance, Mana Gain on Killing Blow

Phoenix – “Feel the heat!”:
Primary Passive Skills = Fire Damage
Secondary Passive Skills = Mana, Bow Damage, Burn Damage, Chance to Avoid Burning

Path System:

1. Path - name of a chosen Path.

2. Flavour text - flavour text. ;-)

3. Mastery and Passive Skills - You don't spend Skill Points on your Mastery. You spend those Skill Points on Passive Skills and every point spent gives you some Mastery bonus.

Example:
Mastery - Bow Damage
Secondary Passive Skills - Life, Evasion, Projectile Damage, Fire Damage

I got 5 Skill Points. I spend them on: Life, Life, Evasion, Fire Damage, Fire Damage. For every point spent this way I get Mastery bonus - +x% Bow Damage.


4. Recommended Skills - list of skills that fit Path chosen by you.

5. Description of Path- describes selected Path.

6. Tips - how to use selected Path.





Example:
1. Dynamo

2. “Endless energy courses through my body.”

3. Mastery:
Mana Regeneration

Passive Skills:
Wand Damage
Spell Damage
Lightning Damage
Chance to Shock

4. Recommended Skills:
Spark
Elemental Weakness
Lightning Warp
Shock Nova

5. Description of Path

6. Tips

Witch – Dynamo (Work In Progress):

1. Dynamo

2. “Endless energy courses through my body.”

3. Mastery:
Mana Regeneration - +% Mana Regeneration for every Skill Point spent on Passive Skills

Passive Skills:
Wand Damage
Lightning Damage
Chance to Shock
Shock Duration
Lightning Resistance
Cast Speed
Mana
Wand Lightning Damage
Passive Skill
Passive Skill

4. Recommended Skills:
Spark
Elemental Weakness
Lightning Warp
Shock Nova
Recommended Skill

5. Description of Path:
“They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice, but they are wrong. I can fill it in my body. So warm and tender. I look delicate, but I can handle everything. When I was young, I was hit by lightning. My mother was scared, but I survived. Then I discovered that I can use power of lightning in order to create and destroy. Some may call it a curse, but I can’t imagine a better gift.”

Become lightning rod. Thanks to being hit by lightning, your Witch can endlessly cast weaker spells. Shock your enemies. Make yourself immune to lightning. Use your wand to crush everything.


6. Tips:
Use Lightning Warp in order to run away from your enemies or to help your friends.
Use Elemental Weakness before battle with many enemies or Bosses.
Use Shock Nova when surrounded by enemies.
Cast potent spells carefully.
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