A practical plan for your first skill points

First purchase

Start with the resource that fails first in a fight you can otherwise read. These options have no parent perk; take enough points to a Shrine and inspect the selected rank before learning.

Perk	Rank 1 effect	Price	Choose it when / trade-off
Endless Effort	+25% maximum Stamina.	1 Skill Point 0 time segments	You need room for another attack or defensive mistake. Capacity helps throughout an exchange; it does not improve block timing.
Vigour	+10% maximum Health.	1 Skill Point 0 time segments	You need more health to survive a mistake. Compare health with stamina according to what actually runs out first.
Omniblock	-10% Stamina cost.	1 Skill Point 0 time segments	You repeatedly hold Block without choosing a direction. Practising directional blocks is the alternative before spending points.
Sustained Focus	2 maximum Activation Charges.	1 Skill Point 1 time segment	An equipped ability needs more maximum charges. Capacity and passive recharge speed solve different problems.

With 2 points and no training time to spare: if stamina is your only problem, the first two ranks of Endless Effort cost 2 points and 0 time segments together. Rank two reads “+50% maximum Stamina.” If you also need health, compare its first rank with the first rank of Vigour instead: each has a 1-point, 0-segment price. You trade more stamina capacity for some health capacity. These are purchase comparisons, not final-stat calculations.

If the problem is choosing the wrong block direction, practise the single-exchange drill before spending. A capacity increase cannot teach the input.

Choose by symptom

The goal here is reliable early survival with limited points and time, not maximum endgame damage. The shared perks compared here work in both forms, so they are useful starting comparisons while you are still discovering whether you prefer daytime Witchcraft or nighttime Vampirism. That does not make every shared perk a mandatory purchase.

Your problem	Inspect first	Trade-off and alternative
Stamina empties after a short exchange	Endless Effort	More capacity gives room for mistakes. Correct directional blocks and timed recovery still matter.
Holding block drains you	Omniblock	Reduces Omniblock’s cost. Practise a correct directional block for no ordinary stamina cost.
You can land Perfect Blocks reliably	Perfect Block	Improves recovery; requires its parent. The basic Perfect Block is already a combat action.
You dodge often and exhaust yourself	Fleet of Foot	Costs less stamina to dodge; its parent is Endless Effort. It does not fix a dodge in the wrong direction.
A mistake removes too much health	Vigour	More health capacity is useful across forms. Also check equipment and the RPG Difficulty setting.
A usable ability recharges too slowly	Renewed Focus	Inspect its Sustained Focus parent. Recharge is different from maximum capacity.
Loot prevents running or fast travel	Pack Mule	Spending points competes with combat upgrades. Stash, sell or discard items for immediate relief.

Do not buy a whole column automatically. Choose one relevant upgrade, check the complete learning cost, and see whether that specific problem improves. Save spare points when a missing manual or an undecided play style would make the next purchase speculative.

Move from a foundation to a preferred style

Once you can survive a normal exchange, compare damage or utility that fits how you actually fight. Perfect Riposte rewards a critical-direction attack after a Perfect Block; its parent is Omniblock. Counterattack adds damage after a Perfect Block and lists Perfect Riposte as its parent. Budget that dependency before buying the follow-up upgrade.

For a daytime spell loadout, Forbidden Sigils supplies Witchcraft slots and lists Unnatural Resilience as its parent. Frugal Witchcraft restores health after defeating an enemy affected by Witchcraft. Budget the casting cost before relying on that later restoration. Its parent is Witchcraft Mastery. Compare those dependencies with the immediate survival purchase above before committing to a spell-focused path.

For nighttime abilities, inspect Vrakhiri Might: its first rank calls for Corruption 4 as well as an additional unlock. If you cannot learn it yet, keep the abilities your current slots support and address health or stamina first. If you do not use a form’s abilities, buying its slots will not solve your current fight.

Learn a skill

1. Earn Skill Points by levelling up. Experience and points are different counters. Read the point total in Character Development.
2. Go to a Road Shrine to learn. Browsing Character Development elsewhere does not clear the shrine requirement.
3. Select the precise rank and read its lock. Check the parent perk, any manual and the displayed Corruption requirement. Enough points alone may not satisfy every learning condition.
4. If a manual is required, obtain it and read it in Inventory. Reading makes the relevant skill available; it does not automatically purchase the rank.
5. Inspect point and hourglass costs together. Include required parent purchases in your decision. Advanced perks may advance time; early purchases can be time-free.
6. Learn, then check your loadout. Passive perks and slotted abilities behave differently. Equip an ability in the correct form’s loadout, and check that its charge cost is affordable.

A concrete rank example

Endless Effort illustrates why the selected rank matters. Its first two ranks have a Skill Point cost and no time cost. The later ranks add time and an unlock requirement.

The effect column reproduces each rank’s description. Read the next rank before spending: the price of the first purchase does not describe every later purchase. A rank with an additional unlock also needs the condition named in its learning message.

Slots and charges

Slots decide what is equipped. Activation Charges pay for use. Buying more of one does not automatically provide the other.

• Master Fencer expands Swordmastery slots. Swordmastery works in either form.
• Forbidden Sigils expands Witchcraft slots. Witchcraft works in human form, during the day.
• Vrakhiri Might expands Vampirism slots. Vampirism works in vampire form, at night.
• Sustained Focus increases charge capacity. The starting maximum is 1, expandable to 4. Inspect the selected rank for what it changes.
• Renewed Focus improves charge recovery. Charges replenish over time; attacks and blocks also speed recovery.

Some abilities are passive but still require a slot. Their condition triggers the effect without an activation cost. That is different from a general learned perk. Check the ability’s slot, form and trigger if a passive effect seems absent.

Both Witchcraft and Vampirism abilities can also cost health. Compare an ability’s charge cost with your current maximum before upgrading: if you cannot hold enough charges to pay the cost, waiting for recharge will not solve the problem.

Perk reference

Compare the perks discussed in this guide and their immediate prerequisites. Open a row for rank effects and costs, or browse the complete perk trees. A parent alone may not clear every learning condition.

Search perksWorks duringAll phasesDay and nightDay onlyNight onlyHelps withAny problemStaminaHealthDamageAbilitiesEquipmentExplorationClear filters

24 perks

Forbidden SigilsIncreases Witchcraft Ability Slots number.Day+

Consider it when
For a daytime Witchcraft loadout that needs more equipped options.

Parent perk
Unnatural Resilience

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	2 Slots available.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	3 Slots available.	1	1	Read the Forbidden Sigils Manual.
3	4 Slots available.	2	1	Read the Forbidden Sigils Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Medicus IIncreases the limit of Consumables in a Quickslot.Day & night+

Consider it when
For more consumable uses in a fight; prepare the items and quickslots as well.

Parent perk
Forager

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	6 maximum instances in a Quickslot.	1	1	Read the Medicus I Manual.
2	9 maximum instances in a Quickslot.	1	1	Read the Medicus I Manual.
3	12 maximum instances in a Quickslot.	2	1	Read the Medicus I Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Frugal WitchcraftDefeating an enemy with a Witchcraft Ability restores Health based on the amount spent to cast it.Day+

Consider it when
Refunds health after defeating an enemy affected by Witchcraft. Budget the casting cost before relying on the later restoration.

Parent perk
Witchcraft Mastery

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	Restores 40% of the Health cost after defeating an enemy affected by Witchcraft Abilities.	1	1	Read the Frugal Witchcraft Manual.
2	Restores 80% of the Health cost after defeating an enemy affected by Witchcraft Abilities.	1	1	Read the Frugal Witchcraft Manual.
3	Restores 120% of the Health cost after defeating an enemy affected by Witchcraft Abilities.	2	1	Read the Frugal Witchcraft Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Unnatural ResilienceGrants Armour when any Witchcraft Ability is active.Day+

Consider it when
Compare this daytime protection with a shared health-capacity upgrade if both forms need help.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+25% Armour.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+50% Armour.	1	1	Read the Unnatural Resilience Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

ForagerDouble Harvest chance when gathering plants.Day & night+

Consider it when
A prerequisite to inspect before planning a consumable-focused progression.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	Double Harvest : 50% chance.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	Double Harvest : 100% chance.	1	1	Read the Forager Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Witchcraft MasteryWitchcraft Abilities deal more Damage.Day+

Consider it when
For a loadout that actually uses Witchcraft; check its daytime condition.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Character level Choose your level1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950

Additional damage uses the base damage for your character level. These are Character Development descriptions, not a prediction of damage dealt to a target.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+15% Damage.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	50% chance to deal additional damage when using a Witchcraft Ability.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	+25% Damage.	1	1	Read the Witchcraft Mastery Manual.
4	+40% Damage. 100% chance to deal additional damage when using a Witchcraft Ability.	2	1	Read the Witchcraft Mastery Manual.

Additional damage at every character level

Character level	Rank 2	Rank 4
1	33	33
2	44	44
3	55	55
4	66	66
5	77	77
6	88	88
7	99	99
8	110	110
9	121	121
10	132	132
11	143	143
12	154	154
13	165	165
14	176	176
15	187	187
16	198	198
17	209	209
18	220	220
19	231	231
20	242	242
21	253	253
22	264	264
23	275	275
24	286	286
25	297	297
26	308	308
27	319	319
28	330	330
29	341	341
30	352	352
31	363	363
32	374	374
33	385	385
34	396	396
35	407	407
36	418	418
37	429	429
38	440	440
39	451	451
40	462	462
41	473	473
42	484	484
43	495	495
44	506	506
45	517	517
46	528	528
47	539	539
48	550	550
49	561	561
50	572	572

Check the learning steps before spending points.

VigourIncreases All Health Types.Day & night+

Consider it when
Consider when a single mistake leaves too little health to recover.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+10% maximum Health.	1	0	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+20% maximum Health.	1	0	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	+30% maximum Health.	1	1	Read the Vigour Manual.
4	+50% maximum Health.	2	1	Read the Vigour Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Sustained FocusIncreases Activation Charges number.Day & night+

Consider it when
Check maximum charges before upgrading an ability beyond the capacity you can pay.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	2 maximum Activation Charges.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	Start each combat with 1 full Activation Charge.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	3 maximum Activation Charges.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
4	4 maximum Activation Charges.	2	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Renewed FocusIncreases Activation Charge Restoration.Day & night+

Consider it when
For an equipped ability that is usable but takes too long to recharge.

Parent perk
Sustained Focus

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+15% Activation Charge passive Restoration.	1	1	Read the Renewed Focus Manual.
2	+30% Activation Charge passive Restoration.	1	1	Read the Renewed Focus Manual.
3	+50% Activation Charge Restoration from Attacks.	2	1	Read the Renewed Focus Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Second Skin IDecreases Medium Armour penalties.Day & night+

Consider it when
Only useful when wearing the relevant medium armour. Compare your actual gear penalties first.

Parent perk
Vigour

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	-33% Medium Armour penalties.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	-66% Medium Armour penalties.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	-100% Medium Armour penalties.	2	1	Read the Second Skin I Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

OmniblockOmniblock costs less Stamina.Day & night+

Consider it when
For frequent holding-block use. Correct directional blocks already avoid the normal stamina cost.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	-10% Stamina cost.	1	0	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	-20% Stamina cost.	1	0	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	-30% Stamina cost.	1	1	Read the Omniblock Manual.
4	-40% Stamina cost. Directional Block works like Omniblock if wrong direction is chosen.	2	1	Read the Omniblock Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Perfect BlockPerfect Block restores more Stamina and Activation Charge.Day & night+

Consider it when
Improves recovery from a successful Perfect Block; it does not unlock the basic manoeuvre.

Parent perk
Omniblock

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+30% Stamina Restoration.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+50% Activation Charge Restoration.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	+60% Stamina Restoration.	1	1	Read the Perfect Block Manual.
4	+100% Activation Charge Restoration.	2	1	Read the Perfect Block Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Second Skin IIDecreases Heavy Armour penalties.Day & night+

Consider it when
Only useful when wearing heavy armour. Do not buy for a light loadout.

Parent perk
Second Skin I

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	-33% Heavy Armour penalties.	1	1	Read the Second Skin II Manual.
2	-66% Heavy Armour penalties.	1	1	Read the Second Skin II Manual.
3	-100% Heavy Armour penalties.	2	1	Read the Second Skin II Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Pack MuleIncreases Carry Weight.Day & night+

Consider it when
For carrying loot. Storing or selling items is the immediate alternative to spending points.

Parent perk
Endless Effort

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+30 maximum Carry Weight.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+60 maximum Carry Weight.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	+100 maximum Carry Weight. You can run while Encumbered.	2	1	Read the Pack Mule Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Master FencerIncreases Swordmastery Ability Slots number.Day & night+

Consider it when
Adds Swordmastery loadout capacity. Slots and Activation Charges solve different problems.

Parent perk
Sustained Focus

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	2 Slots available.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	3 Slots available.	1	1	Read the Master Fencer Manual.
3	4 Slots available.	2	1	Read the Master Fencer Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Fleet of FootDodging cost less Stamina.Day & night+

Consider it when
For a dodge-heavy defence. It does not make forward dodging safe.

Parent perk
Endless Effort

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	-20% Stamina cost.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	Dodging an Attack at the last moment restores a portion of Activation Charge	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	-30% Stamina cost.	1	1	Read the Fleet of Foot Manual.
4	Killing an enemy Regenerates Stamina.	2	1	Read the Fleet of Foot Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

CounterattackAttack after Perfect Block deals more Damage.Day & night+

Consider it when
For players who already land Perfect Blocks and can attack in the opening.

Parent perk
Perfect Riposte

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+10% Damage on Attack after Perfect Block.	1	1	Read the Counterattack Manual.
2	+20% Damage on Attack after Perfect Block.	1	1	Read the Counterattack Manual.
3	+10% Bleed chance on Attack after Perfect Block.	2	1	Read the Counterattack Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Perfect RiposteAttack in Critical Direction after Perfect Block to deal Critical Damage.Day & night+

Consider it when
An additional direction-based follow-up. Check the Omniblock parent before planning the purchase.

Parent perk
Omniblock

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	Unlocks Perfect Riposte.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+10% Damage on Perfect Riposte.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	Perfect Riposte can be performed after Perfect Dodge.	1	1	Read the Perfect Riposte Manual.
4	+20% Damage on Perfect Riposte.	2	1	Read the Perfect Riposte Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Endless EffortIncreases Stamina.Day & night+

Consider it when
Choose when ordinary attacks and emergency defence exhaust your stamina. Larger capacity does not remove bad timing.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+25% maximum Stamina.	1	0	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+50% maximum Stamina.	1	0	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
3	+75% maximum Stamina.	1	1	Read the Endless Effort Manual.
4	+100% maximum Stamina.	2	1	Read the Endless Effort Manual.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Vrakhiri MightIncreases Vampiric Ability Slots number.Night+

Consider it when
For a nighttime Vampirism loadout that needs more equipped options.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	2 Slots available.	1	1	Corruption 4.
2	3 Slots available.	1	1	Corruption 7.
3	4 Slots available.	2	1	Corruption 11.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Hastened CorruptionCorruption fills up faster.Night+

Consider it when
For Corruption progression. It does not replace the Skill Points or other requirements shown by a perk.

Parent perk
Nourishing Blood

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+30% Corruption filling speed.	1	1	Corruption 1.
2	Drink Blood at full Health to Overfeed. Temporary Health Segment and +50% Corruption filling speed while Overfed.	1	1	Corruption 4.
3	+50% Corruption filling speed. +5% Vampiric Health for each Corruption Level.	2	1	Corruption 6.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Razorsharp ClawsIncreases Claw Damage.Night+

Consider it when
For fighting with claws at night; no benefit to a daytime sword plan.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+5% Claw Damage.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+12% Claw Damage.	1	1	Corruption 4.
3	+20% Claw Damage.	1	1	Corruption 9.
4	+100% Activation Charge Restoration from Claw Attacks.	2	1	Corruption 12.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Endless HungerIncrease Health Segments number.Night+

Consider it when
For more vampiric health capacity. Check current blood before a conversation regardless.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	3 maximum Health Segments.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	4 maximum Health Segments.	1	1	Corruption 5.
3	5 maximum Health Segments.	1	1	Corruption 12.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

Nourishing BloodBlood Drinking restores more Health.Night+

Consider it when
For improving health restored by drinking blood. Feeding can raise Corruption.

Parent perk
No parent perk.

Rank	Effect	Skill Points	Time segments	Further condition
1	+10% Health Restoration.	1	1	Check points and any parent perk at a Shrine.
2	+20% Health Restoration.	1	1	Corruption 3.
3	+40% Health Restoration.	2	1	Corruption 8.

Check the learning steps before spending points.

When it still does not work

Return to the perk comparison to inspect the matching rank, then check any displayed time cost before you learn.