Hello there! Today we’re going to explain one of the most popular terms in the world of gaming – the Skill Tree.

It’s a crucial part of the whole gameplay that can seem a bit confusing at first, so let’s break it down and see how skill trees work in games.

What is a Skill Tree?

It is a graphical representation of character development in the game. It takes the form of a tree, with different types of skills on its “branches”. By gaining experience, players can choose which abilities they want to develop – depending on what suits them best.

Skill Tree Features

Now that we know skill tree meaning, let’s take a look at its functions in games. It allows you to:

  • Personalize your style in game – it helps to develop the character skills in the direction chosen by the player, allowing you to decide for yourself who your character will be and what abilities will be dominant
  • Progressively develop the character – by looking at the tree, the player can track how the character gains new abilities as the game progresses. This makes the development more visible
  • Making strategic decisions – every action taken on a character has a meaning in the game and affects further gameplay

Examples of Skill Trees in Games

Let’s take a look at three popular games that feature skill trees and see how they function in practice.

  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – skill tree in Skyrim is considered a great solution for beginners – it is clear, quite simple, and at the same time conveys the atmosphere of the game, as it has the form of a constellation of stars. Each skill, such as archery, has its own branch, on which there are so-called perks. They are unlocked as you gain experience
  • Path of Exile – in this case, the skill tree is quite complex and extensive. Graphically it resembles a huge spider web, but in fact it is a numerous network of nodes on which there are bonuses or traits. The player must strategically plan the development of the character, as there is an opportunity to invest in more than a thousand properties
  • Borderlands – this game is distinguished by up to three different skill trees assigned to each character, each corresponding to a different style of play. The player can invest in selected abilities after earning experience points, and the trees themselves are clear, colorful and easy to use

Now you have all the important info about how skill trees work in games and how they allow building character skills.