Well next chapter is nearly finished and you will have the option to Respec up to 5 Skills.
I'm looking forward to it, and good to know. I'm wasn't expecting to get a respec so soon, and I'm extra glad that I started this discussion now.
Maybe it's because Splitter hit level 5. It's possible, but if it's the case I doubt that each respec happens at every interval of 5. Unless you guys think that the level ups will slow enough, or that Splitter managed to jump to level 10. Either way, there's no way to know for sure and we'll be getting some sort of clue shortly. Personally, I was assuming that our first respec opportunity would be when we finished the tutuorial.
That said, I think it's best that we try to avoid finding excuses to reach that cap of 5 Skills. If we reach it we reach it, but we shouldn't try to force it. If that makes sense.
we're back to the "are we willing to commit to something that may not be permanent?" problem.
Yeah, that's the biggest issue here. Both Skills have gained exp, and they have a lot of potential, but I just don't think the cost of it taking up a space justifies what benefit it'll give us right now.
So when I deployed my right wing from completely folded into my back into a fully stretched slam toward the side of the first Mutt
Bringing two merged pair-arms down on top of its head was accompanied by a wet splintering squelch as its skull partially caved in.
These two seem like the times where Improvised Combat and Duel Wield would've got that experience. Though that second quote was in chapter 3, and Duel Wield only gained exp in chapter 2.
my wing pulled away whilst one of my arms reached from the other side to wrap around one of the Mutts idle legs and yank.
I however definitely did not forget and slammed a merged arm-pair into the side of its temple during the creature's now uncontrolled leap.
On some reflex I didn't think I had, I attempted to push against their jaws to divert their own mouths from chowing down my arms or legs.
These are all the other places that I could think of that might've given Duel Wield exp, particularly that last one.
This shows that there is at least some degree of utility in these Skills already, but I only see it becoming less relevant as Unarmed Combat levels up more. There's that promised potential, and we will be looking for fights next chapter, but as of right now I'm thinking 'maybe later' with these Skills.
it might be something to invest into, but right now I'm envisioning him as a "frontliner" of an adventuring party,
I agree on the whole. While Medicine probably does offer some benefits, it's definitely more of a crafter/support Skill which isn't where we're heading.
I don't think it's necessarily wise to drop this skill.
That's fair enough. It's sort of an odd man out situation, but that's true for other Skills and it could synergize with stuff like Climbing. But it's useful enough in principle, and I feel there's good chances that it might be of use next chapter when Splitter is on the hunt.
I would like to continue speculating, but there's just so much uncertainty here. It seems like we have two slots open for Death and Appraisal, but maybe this next chapter changes our minds on Improvised Weapons and Duel Wield.
I'm currently lukewarm on Stealth, but maybe this new chapter will change that.
We have no real way of knowing what Yellow will manifest as, how to manifest it, or even when it'll manifest. Maybe Orange would be a better fit with stuff like Blood, Skin, Bone, and Plastic Magic. Plus Biomancy, Life, Death, and Vital. But maybe that's not how Orange really works, and it wouldn't mess with all of that. Then there's White. It's attractive enough, but seems like a total wild card and like something that'd sit inactive until we stumble upon it. All to say that, when it comes to Spectrums, it's very much wait and see. Wait and see what Yellow is like, maybe Orange would be good, and White might be great once we actually know more.
The only other Skills that I'm really questioning right now is Mathematics (for the reasons I outlined in my previous post), and Sleeping.
So, on that note, what do you think about possibly switching out Mathematics?
Though, even if we agree these Skills don't fit, it doesn't mean we'l agree on what's best to replace them. From here on, let's assume that we only have a maximum of 3 slots. Death and Appraisal replace Improvised Combat and Duel Wield, and 3 out of Stealth, Sleeping, Yellow, and Mathematics are also switched out.
First is Mirror Magic, which was something that was in my original build.
Divergence Magic(Sem) + Mirror Magic(Sem) + Effigy(Reach).
Almost, this is missing one.
We already have Divergence Magic, Effigy, Gestalt, Spirit, and Memetics on top of all the other MEN Revelations. So I would think that Mirror Magic would at least contribute to this combo.
From there, Glow Magic is the next thing that grabs my attention
Glow Magic:
(Aura) Extend the impact of your soul, magics and body beyond their usual reach. Draw others influence toward you also.
After this, the last thing I can really think of is Bullet Magic.
Bullet Magic:
Rip off tiny segments of your lifeforce and propel them as meta-dimensional projectiles. Largely considered to be practiced only by those with a death-wish.
Both seem like they have the potential to be powerful, and they seem like they'd fit the current theme.
Of course there is also Carapace Magic, which is mentioned in the Essentialism Perk example along with Blood, Bone, and Skin Magic.
Carapace Magic:
Sacrificial Magic that uses carapaces as its source material.
But this just seems really lackluster, so I'm not at all inclined to try and grab it. Seems like a combo that would go better with something like Occultism, or otherwise ritual magics rather than what we have going on.
So t recap:
Get rid of Improvised Weapons and Duel Wield for Death and Appraisal. Get rid of 3 out of Mathematics, Sleeping, Stealth, and Yellow which opens us up for Mirror Magic, Glow Magic, and Bullet Magic.
That said, there's still a lot of uncertainties and there's always this:
Some Skills might just be so immediately and universally helpful that you should pick them regardless of any other factors.
Which, taken with everything else we've discussed, makes me alright with staying with these Skills for now. Sleeping and Yellow are both very much in a 'maybe good, find out', and Stealth is at 'useful, but not a perfect fit'.
All to say, I'm thinking we sit on those Skills and the ones I'm most comfortable on switching out are Improvised Combat, Duel Wield, and Mathematics. Taking Death, Appraisal, and Mirror Magic in their place.
