Is there a point to upgrading skills?

[ClemsonThund]

Ok, so I'm granted App I abilites when I get them.  Great.  So at the end of the day I go to the broker and see 7 pages of abilites.   Some found, some made.  I see an  Adept I for ability X and an App IV for ability X.  The Adept, of course, does a whopping 2-3 more dmg and costs 3 more power to use.  It's also between 1-1.5G more.  When do skill, if ever become worth upgrading.  I've seen master skills that cost 5-10G and only do about 7 more dmg.  What's the point? Now understand I'm only lvl 22 and these are still only beginner skills but I'm wondering what skills should I begin looking for now that will be worth it later on.  And when will I begin to see a difference?  I hear about Warlocks getting some skill at lvl 23 that does like 200 more dmg from AppI to App4.  Do we get anything like that? Don't even get me started on the poor scholars who try to make a spell only to have it end up at App 2 and they try to sell it for 80+silver when every scribe in every town sells them for 8s. <div></div>

[Daran]

<div></div>Couple of important things on skill upgrades, 1. They're important, they're very important, most of the game was balanced around using app2 skills, so anything above that puts you ahead of the curve. 2. In addition to increasing how much damage an ability does immidiatly it also increases the max level that the skill will stop increasing in power. This allows the skill to grow with you for a longer period of time. Edit: I guess I should mention that I'm an alchemist and want people to buy my stuff......but it doesn't make it any less true!!! <span>:smileyvery-happy:</span> <div></div><p>Message Edited by DaranHB on <span class=date_text>04-14-2005</span> <span class=time_text>12:48 PM</span>

[Grimve]

<P>The difference between App4 and Adept I is slight. If I already have App4 of a spell, then the only reason I would upgrade to Adept 1 is if I get it from a chest; I wouldn't buy it unless I really want it AND I can get a really good deal on it. On the other hand, buying an Adept 1 when all I have is App1 or App2 is often worth it, I feel.</P> <P>Also, it depends on the spell in question. Some spells benefit more from upgrading than others.</P> <P>These types of spells are well worth upgrading IMO:</P> <P>Big damage attacks, e.g. Maul<BR>AE attacks, e.g. Berserker Barrage, Stunning Cry<BR>Taunts, both single and AE<BR>Skill buffs, e.g. Soldier's Stance, since a little skill seems to go a long way<BR>Proc buffs, e.g. Anarchy, and "reverse proc" buffs, e.g. Fury, since upgrading usually increases both the chance to proc and the amount of damage, and this sort of spell is among our most mana-efficient means of doing damage anyway</P> <P>These types of spells are not really helped much by upgrading, and in some cases actually become <EM>less</EM> efficient once upgraded:</P> <P>Low damage attacks, e.g. Raging Strike: even if a low-damage attack has a nice side effect like the Concussion line, typically upgrading it will only increase the meager damage without really improving the side effect<BR>Most buffs (the non-skill, non-proc ones)<BR>Spells with inordinately long re-use times, e.g. Rescue<BR>Spells you never use--upgrading will rarely, if ever, turn a crap spell into a useful one</P>

[dr4gonUK]

To at least app4 yes. And make sure you upgrade all your skills. Leave a few at app1 and you may really struggle in certain situations compared to a serka with full app4. Thanks to offline selling adept1s are much more abundant, take adept1 over app4 if your fortunate to have the choice.

[Daran]

Listen to them...they know of which they speak.... buy app4s..... please.... my kids are starving... ~Daryn Bourne Lucan D'lere <div></div>

[Molecm]

<P>I'll tell you this. I rarely use the Toughness ability unless it is absolutely needed. Well, guess what? My lvl 15 crusader found "Toughness (Master 1)." It is an amazing upgrade. It offers a 3min buff with a 3min recast 50+ crushinng mitagation and 120+ slashing/piercing mitagation at 15. That means I can keep the buff on me every second of every battle. App1 is like a 40+ second buff with a 3:00 recast =(  With the Master 1 I feel like I am cheating against all those ^^ heroics =)</P>