Skill trees are an integral aspect of any video game because the player needs to be able to progress forward with the story and not be stuck in the weak and basic state they began in. It is one thing for there to be dozens of choices and variations to pick, but it is often more important that the skill tree has a lot of depth, giving players genuine incentives to move further down certain paths.
Games That Feature The Biggest Skill Trees
These games feature skill trees so massive it can be hard for players to wrap their heads around them.
In a lot of cases, the best trees are the ones that have meaningful skills to unlock that have a real impact on the gameplay, whilst also having some interesting options along the way that can alter how the player interacts with the world. Having that additional layer of depth makes the player feel like they are actually working towards something, rather than just adding stats over and over again.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Meaningful Changes In Every Tree
Details:
- General growth rather than heavy specialization
- Enhancing of basic abilities later on
Jedi: Fallen Order features a clean, accessible skill tree that prioritizes steady character growth over absurd combinations. Skill points can unlock new Force abilities that can drastically alter the flow of combat, but players can still unlock other perks that help with their survivability and overall power level.
A lot of the upgrades also directly feed into the fantasy of becoming a Jedi, with players gaining access to new powers that feel in line with the progression of the narrative. It might be slightly more linear than other games, but there is certainly enough depth for players who want to fully max it out and become an unstoppable warrior.
Salt And Sanctuary
A Giant Web Of Choice
Details:
- Branching paths dictate weapon and armor accessibility
- Class identity emerges over time
Salt and Sanctuary may seem like a simplistic soulslike on the surface, yet when players see the skill tree for the first time, they will discover a whole new layer of depth. Every skill is found on the same screen, so players need to slowly move through different segments, unlocking specific abilities and perks that empower the playstyle that they want to use.
7 RPGs With The Best Non-Combat Skill Trees
RPGs aren't always just about combat; here are some great examples that give gamers access to non-combat skill trees.
Because of how wide and sprawling it is, players will often need to plan out a route well beforehand, unlocking more minor skills before getting to the good stuff. However, a lot of the individual steps can feel quite underwhelming, with there being a large number of passive buffs along the way to active ones, which is what keeps it from being a perfect skill tree rather than just a great one.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Countless Choices Across A Range Of Classes
Details:
- Specific trees for virtually any playstyle
- Unique combinations across skills
Skyrim leans heavily into the role-playing side of things, giving players access to over a dozen individual skill trees that all serve a distinct purpose in the power of their character. They can go down the magic route in the Conjuration tree, or focus more on Sneak to turn them into the stealthy rogue they always wanted to be.
A lot of the depth comes from the breadth within each archetype, as even if players want to be a melee fighter, for example, they can still make use of skills within the Thief segments. It can take quite some time to reach the higher tiers, and with so many skills to unlock, many of the best ones will be locked until very late into the game, which can be quite frustrating for players who focus more on the main story than the side content.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Strong Builds With A Range Of Uses
Details:
- Synergy within focused builds
- Development of the core gameplay rather than drastic changes
The Witcher 3 offers a concise yet purposeful skill system centered on everything from combat to alchemy to general abilities that can be used throughout the world. Many of the skills enhance the player's tool kit, bolstering their existing playstyle, while the mutagen system adds a layer of optimization, rewarding players who specialize and carefully arrange their skills for maximum efficiency.
Even after a few levels, specific builds can start to feel pretty distinct, as each individual choice made has a real impact on the player's power level. There isn't an absurd amount of depth like some other RPGs, but there is enough for players to play around and try new things, without ever feeling too overwhelmed by endless minute options.
Diablo 4
Constant Modifiers And Buffs Galore
Details:
- Branching nodes full of meaningful skills
- Paragon boards extend progression into the late game
Diablo 4 strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, letting players branch into specific trees that significantly alter the gameplay in a variety of ways. Players are encouraged to commit to a playstyle while still retaining some flexibility, meaning that they can be playing as a mage that still has enough survivability to not get ganked.
Later on, the Paragon Boards provide a more long-term route of progression, as well as even more chances to optimize a specific build. However, compared to deeper ARPGs, the system remains restrained, with many builds funneling toward a clearly optimal setup, and a lot of the experimentation often relies more on gear than skill tree decisions.
Final Fantasy 10
Evolving Roles Over Time
Details:
- Strategic choices that diverge into specific paths
- Role-breaking choices later in the game
Final Fantasy 10's Sphere Grid is one of the most iconic progression systems in RPG history. Characters begin with defined roles, but as the grid opens up, players can push party members into unexpected territory, redefining their gameplay from the ground up.
7 Best RPGs With The Most Build Diversity, Ranked
From Baldur’s Gate 3 to Path of Exile 2, these RPGs offer deep multiclassing, sprawling skill trees, and endless buildcraft possibilities.
Depth emerges over time rather than being presented immediately, making progression feel fairly linear and earned. This also means that players can plan out long-term routes ahead of time, never feeling rushed into a specific line, and giving them plenty of agency when it comes to crafting a tailored build.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
A True RPG Masterclass
Details:
- Skill scaling through attribute investment
- Talents dramatically alter combat
Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers depth through a series of interlocking systems rather than raw size. Skill schools, attributes, talents, and gear all interact with one another, allowing for highly specialized builds that reward creative thinking and can completely alter how a lot of encounters play out.
The skill trees themselves are not massive, but the freedom to mix disciplines and talents creates near-limitless combinations. The synergies are where they really shine, as players are free to experiment in strange and unexpected ways, often leading to either very powerful builds or incredibly bad ones.
Grim Dawn
Dozens Of Skills For Every Occasion
Details:
- Dual-class system amplifies build variety
- Constellations add more refined options
Grim Dawn has a seriously impressive amount of depth within its skill trees, letting players choose two masteries to unlock unique class identities that radically alter how they approach the game. Each choice influences a range of factors like damage types and survivability, but there are also plenty of active abilities that players can combine to incredible effect.
There is a big emphasis on niche builds and styles, and the complexity only grows over time as players gain access to stronger skills later on. It also has a huge amount of replay value, as players can quite easily make a character with one subclass and have a completely different experience from someone else with the same one, purely based on the skills chosen.
Nioh 2
Expanding Mechanics Through Skills Alone
Details:
- Weapon-specific skill trees
- Stance abilities that redefine combat
Nioh 2’s skill trees are all tied into specific combat styles and individual weapons. Each armament has its own progression paths that unlock new attacks, counters, and stance transitions, and a lot of the skills don’t just boost damage but expand the actual moveset of the player.
Because of how demanding the combat is, players need to not only master the fundamentals but also learn to leverage the power of their increasingly complex build. There are even additional paths for more tailored playstyles and even for the Yokai form, giving players so many different things to think about, all within a single playthrough.
Path Of Exile
Daunting Beyond Belief
Details:
- Massive tree that can be tailored to any build
- Layered systems that all feed into one another
Path of Exile is notorious for having an absolutely bonkers skill tree that isn't just big, but also incredibly in-depth. Every node shapes the player's character, with even the smallest buffs having a huge impact on how powerful they are in combat and what skills they are able to fully make use of.
The sheer breadth can be overwhelming at first, yet as players get used to navigating the tree, they can start specializing and carving out specific routes to create the perfect build. It isn't uncommon for players to spend more time looking up skills than actually playing the game, as there are virtually endless possibilities to choose between and enough combinations for them to sink 100s, if not 1000s of hours into the game.
MMOs With The Best Multiclassing Options
Players who love to multiclass in MMOs will definitely enjoy what the following games have to offer.