Skill trees or perks? Many players use these terms interchangeably — but in reality, they represent two different approaches to character progression. Each has its own pros and cons, and each affects how you grow and customize your character in a game.
Let’s break down the skill tree vs perks difference in games and see where that contrast is most clearly visible.
Skill Trees – Gradual, Structured Progression
A skill tree is a system where your character develops in an orderly, step-by-step fashion. Skills are arranged in… well, branches — often thematic — and unlock progressively. This means that in order to gain access to a high-level ability, you first need to unlock the earlier ones on that same path.
This setup provides a clear structure and a strong sense of progress — while also forcing you to make choices: which skills are worth investing in, and which ones to skip?
Perk Systems – Pick What You Like
Perks, which typically act as passive bonuses, offer a more open-ended approach. Instead of gradually improving a single skill line, you pick individual upgrades or abilities from a broad list. Some perks may require a certain character level or stat, but many are available in any order.
This is perfect for those of us, who love experimenting and building unusual character setups. A perk system lets you truly shape your character your way — even if that means entirely ignoring traditional class archetypes.
A Comparison in Practice – 3 Games, 3 Styles
Fallout (e.g. Fallout 3, New Vegas)
A great example of a perk-based system is Fallout 4. With every level, you choose a special ability from a list — like increased melee damage, better terminal hacking, or extra damage to enemies of the opposite sex. Perks feel like custom upgrades that reflect the way you want to play.
Borderlands (series)
Borderlands– this is classic skill tree territory. Each character has a few different branches, and abilities must be unlocked in sequence. Want to focus on fire damage? You’ll need to start with the basic talents in that line first. This rewards specialization and long-term planning.
Skyrim
A unique hybrid. On one hand, there are skill trees for things like magic, sneaking, different combat styles, and armour types. But on the other hand, the way you level them up and assign perks feels more like a typical perk system. Skyrim proves that it’s possible to blend both approaches — and do it well.