Is stacking skill points worth it?

[SpudTheBlackLab]

Is stacking skill points worth it?

I have a question about skill points, say you get a 2nd tier quen skill for example, do people normally replace the 1st tier one at that point or do they use one slot for the 1st tier and an additional slot for the 2nd tier on? Just curious, I'm not sure if they stack like that or not or if it's worthwhile. Skill slots are pretty limited so I thought I'd ask. Is it better to use two slots for a 1st tier and a 2nd tier, or is it better to replace the old one with the new one? What's are the benefits of using 2 slots or are there any benefits for doing that?

Thanks,

Spud

 

[Mr.White.427]

Im guessing you mean the alternate method of that sign, it really depends on if you want to use it or not

 

[Lieste]

They are usually different.

e.g. fast attacks. First slot increases damage generally. Second increases the critical damage by more.

With an example 100 damage the first skill will give a maximum of 125 damage in basic attack, and a 5% chance of 150. Using only the second skill will give 100 damage in basic attack and a 5% chance of 200 damage. Using both together gives both effects ~ 125 basic damage and 5% of 225 damage. Adding other skills, mutagens and item effects (plus glyphs/runes) increases the stacking.

You generally want to use skills in batches of 3 of the same colours (I currently have 9 combat skills stacked, with 3 greater red mutagens, plus a school skill).

The same logic applies to some degree with building signs or alchemy builds, though hybrid is probably better... I just wanted to have some "pure fighty" fun for an hour... I'll drop back to a hybrid combat/signs build later with Delusion (for dialogues) Yrden Trap and Exploding Quen (at the moment) matched with a Greater Blue... maybe explore some of the basic alchemy traits too at some point (have a clearance potion ready for when I want to experiment a bit).

Soon to head off the find UMA, just a thing or two more to do in Skellige and Novigrad before I head off.

 

[SpudTheBlackLab]

Is that all the 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) tiers are, the alternate modes? Do you get any additional sign bonuses or whatever for having a 1st tier and a 2nd tier skill applied? Just trying to figure the most efficient way to use them, being there's so few slots

 

[Lieste]

They are usually different.

e.g. fast attacks. First slot increases damage generally. Second increases the critical damage by more.

With an example 100 damage the first skill will give a maximum of 125 damage in basic attack, and a 5% chance of 150. Using only the second skill will give 100 damage in basic attack and a 5% chance of 200 damage. Using both together gives both effects ~ 125 basic damage and 5% of 225 damage. Adding other skills, mutagens and item effects (plus glyphs/runes) increases the stacking.

You generally want to use skills in batches of 3 of the same colours (I currently have 9 combat skills stacked, with 3 greater red mutagens, plus a school skill).

The same logic applies to some degree with building signs or alchemy builds, though hybrid is probably better... I just wanted to have some "pure fighty" fun for an hour... I'll drop back to a hybrid combat/signs build later with Delusion (for dialogues) Yrden Trap and Exploding Quen (at the moment) matched with a Greater Blue... maybe explore some of the basic alchemy traits too at some point (have a clearance potion ready for when I want to experiment a bit).

Soon to head off the find UMA, just a thing or two more to do in Skellige and Novigrad before I head off.

 

[Mr.White.427]

Is that all the 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) tiers are, the alternate modes? Do you get any additional sign bonuses or whatever for having a 1st tier and a 2nd tier skill applied? Just trying to figure the most efficient way to use them, being there's so few slots

No, there is no bonus to slotting both modes together

---------- Updated at 08:11 PM ----------

Is that all the 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) tiers are, the alternate modes? Do you get any additional sign bonuses or whatever for having a 1st tier and a 2nd tier skill applied? Just trying to figure the most efficient way to use them, being there's so few slots

No, there is no bonus to slotting both modes together

 

[SpudTheBlackLab]

Ok perfect, exactly the answers I was looking for, thank you both! And thanks for the examples =)