There are a lot of RPGs out there that handle progression in various ways. Some let the player simply level up a few basic stats, others focus more on unlocking different weapons and combos, but a few choose to throw limits out the window, giving players a huge skill tree to work through that can often take dozens of hours to even put a dent in.
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.
By having such a huge set of unlocks outlined right at the start, the player has a lot to look forward to in terms of their progression, both in terms of their general power and the specific build paths within their class. In some cases, these skill trees can actually become mini-games in themselves, being so complex and expansive that it can take players several hours to fully appreciate the scope before them.
Path Of Exile
Enormous Beyond Reason
Details:
- Huge sprawling main tree
- Very specific options for each class
When talking about big skill trees, it is hard not to mention Path of Exile right away. The web of nodes is pretty unbelievable at first glance, feeling more like a galaxy map than a set of interconnected skills, and every tiny step has a big impact on the player's character in both passive and active ways.
Because of how long certain branches are, players need to think ahead and figure out a route that suits their playstyle the best, but with so many options, it can be hard to nail down one specific path. Overall, the immense breadth really places an emphasis on experimentation, as rather than just simply upgrading their stats, players can slowly create tailored builds that can feel drastically different with just a few extra skills.
Grim Dawn
Synergizing Classes Into One
Details:
- Individual trees for classes
- The constellation system adds even more choices later on
Grim Dawn’s skill system is so massive and mind-boggling, not due to the absurd number of individual points, but through layered combinations that completely alter how the game functions at a basic level. Every character selects two mastery classes, each with its own extensive skill tree filled with actives, passives, and modifiers, and by deciding how deep to go within each, players can quickly define a specific playstyle that suits their tastes.
On top of that, the Devotion system introduces a sprawling constellation map that grants conditional bonuses and buffs tied to specific abilities. After playing for a while, players will find themselves struggling with the overwhelming amount of choice, having to factor in everything from minor skills and gear combinations that all interlock into one system.
Salt And Sanctuary
One Gigantic Web
Details:
- Gear access linked to skill unlocks
- Routes that lead to meaningful changes
Salt and Sanctuary hides a surprisingly large skill tree underneath its seemingly simplistic exterior. Starting at a single point, players need to slowly expand outwards in various directions, choosing which major nodes to unlock first in order to gain access to higher-tiered gear and weaponry.
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.
Also, because there are no separate trees for individual classes, players need to think about exactly what kind of playstyle they want to adopt, choosing passive buffs that then lead to larger abilities later down the line. Even after beating the game, players will still have so many more tiers to unlock, purely due to the sheer number of different nodes that seem to stretch on forever.
Diablo 4
Finding The Perfect Build
Details:
- Minute buffs and system-wide changes
- An insane range of choices, all with equal weight
Diablo 4's skill trees appear pretty streamlined at first, but their size and complexity soon emerge just a few hours in. Each ability branches into modifiers that alter their functions rather than just damage, forcing players to consider synergies and rotations instead of just raw power.
Beyond the core tree, the progression gets expanded with Paragon Boards that force players to manage a grid-like system full of glyphs and rare nodes. Oftentimes, it can turn into a balancing act of stat juggling, as with such a broad range of branches to think about, it can be hard to even get back to the game in between level-ups.
Nioh 2
Controlling Every Aspect Of The Gameplay
Details:
- Skill trees for each individual weapon
- Abilities that actually impact the flow of combat
Nioh 2 takes the concept of weapon-based skills and goes further than any other game. Every single weapon class has its own set of skills that provide a range of additional moves and abilities that, in a lot of cases, can drastically alter how the player actually wields them.
These weapon skills then combine with the other, more general trees to give the player a huge amount of focused attention on a specific gameplay style. But unlocking these skills is only half the battle, as players still need to learn to use them in combat, making each step of progress feel like another tool for them to use as opposed to a generic stat buff.
Final Fantasy 10
Progressing Across The Sphere
Details:
- Large paths tailored to specific roles
- Continued progression all the way into the later stages
The Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy 10 transforms leveling up into a complex web of problems to solve. Players can't just B-line to specific skills, and instead, they need to navigate the sprawling interconnected board, choosing which paths to deviate from and which ones to fully unlock.
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.
The grid’s size is truly immense, and players can often find themselves struggling to even reach the end of certain branches, due to the sheer number of crucial skills along the way. Many characters can be dramatically altered by certain skills, so it is important to factor in which nodes to aim for, even if they might take a whole playthrough to reach.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Look To The Stars
Details:
- Separate trees for each build or style
- Expansive options that can often feed into one another
Skyrim's skills system is iconic for a number of reasons, but perhaps the biggest is due to the absurd number of individual options the player has right from the start. Split into three main groups, players can hone in on a single line, mastering stealth and the art of sneaking, or spread out their skills to unlock better gear options and be more versatile in the open world.
Each individual section has so many different nodes that all serve a distinct purpose, so it never feels as though the player is adding on stats for the sake of them. Even after journeying across the whole map and back, there will always be more skills to unlock, with legendary skills giving the player an endless amount of progression that will keep them exploring for many more hours.
Yakuza 0
Buying Your Way Forward
Details:
- Trees behind all fighting styles
- Separate orb colors that correspond to stats and effects
Yakuza 0 might seem arcadey and comedic on the outside, yet below the surface lies a massive network of skills that all play a role in how the player approaches the game. The different fighting styles all have their own progression paths, filled with stat boosts, new moves, and situational abilities, and even within those trees, players can focus on certain points to tailor the tree to their desires.
Instead of experience points, progression is tied to money, forcing players to decide whether to invest in power or save for other goals. And, despite being so branching, it is actually pretty easy to understand, making it accessible but broad enough to keep players invested for dozens of hours.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Choosing The Path That Suits You
Details:
- Main branches of stealth, melee, and ranged
- In-depth options within the minor branches
Valhalla abandons traditional trees for a massive constellation grid filled with hundreds of nodes that can seem borderline impossible to fully unlock. While many upgrades seem small individually, collectively they shape how the player fights, explores, and survives in the world, regardless of whether they choose to be a sneaky rogue or a cunning archer.
The complexity creeps in quickly, as players need to make decisions about whether to rush towards major abilities or fill out stats clusters to raise their overall power level. In a sense, the progression ebbs and flows as the player grows stronger, with some steps serving more as stepping stones to reach the later ones that bring with them the impact the player has been waiting for.
Rift
Moving Up The Soul Tree
Details:
- Gradual progress up each tree
- Tiers can be spread out or unlocked completely
Rift’s progression system allows players to combine multiple class “souls,” each with its own extensive skill tree, turning just a few branches into a chaotic network of synergistic skills. Balancing point allocation across several active trees creates near-endless build options, often requiring spreadsheets or external sites to fully optimize and refine.
There are even more factors to consider within the skills themselves, as certain abilities scale dramatically based on point distribution, while others require deeper investments in order to fully function. With a huge emphasis on experimentation, players will quickly become fully trapped in the cycle of testing new combinations, often failing countless times before finding that sweet spot that transforms their character into a powerful force to be reckoned with.
MMOs With The Best Multiclassing Options
Players who love to multiclass in MMOs will definitely enjoy what the following games have to offer.