What Level Up System Do You Prefer? Skill Points or Use As You Go?

[G-Force]

Pretty self explanatory, In a game that allows for skill progression of a specific start (or even more specific a skill rating for each weapon subclass) do you like level up systems that have you put in skill points to raise said stats or do you prefer to have your in game actions determine your character's growth.

Example, my character keeps killing his enemies with his sword and doesn't use his bow, ergo his sword stats are very high on account of its constant use.

Games that use the second method of leveling up that I can think of off the top of my head: Fable, Borderlands, Hunter the Reckoning: Redeemer

 

[DazZ.]

Neither, certainly not for FPS games.
FPS should always be skill based, not "you're as accurate as this number". Level up in terms of weapons available if you must, but not making your character stronger or something.

But I do prefer skill points over Oblivions method.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I like the good old XP system, build your general XP from quests and actions and spend it how you like.

 

[KwaggaDan]

The biggest problem with general XP is that often you sink all the XP into the wrong skillset, and by the end you are everyone's *****. Who can heal really fast...

But if the game balances that out I prefer the XP.

 

[KwaggaDan]

Neither, certainly not for FPS games.
FPS should always be skill based, not "you're as accurate as this number". Level up in terms of weapons available if you must, but not making your character stronger or something.

But I do prefer skill points over Oblivions method.

Dude, FPS has always had an RPG element. Instead of skills it was called new guns...

 

[Drexlor]

I like using skill points because at the beginning of the game, you might not have a high enough rating on a skill that you want to make it useful. As a result in a use-based system you might choose a more useful skill and never use the one that you want. An example is the magic skills in Oblivion, most of the spells require a certain skill rating to use, but if you can't use the spell than you can't raise your rating to be able to use the spell. I have yet to find a mysticism spell that I can use.

 

[DazZ.]

Neither, certainly not for FPS games.
FPS should always be skill based, not "you're as accurate as this number". Level up in terms of weapons available if you must, but not making your character stronger or something.

But I do prefer skill points over Oblivions method.

Dude, FPS has always had an RPG element. Instead of skills it was called new guns...

And I said that's fine, I've emboldened the bit you seemed to miss.

 

[KwaggaDan]

Neither, certainly not for FPS games.
FPS should always be skill based, not "you're as accurate as this number". Level up in terms of weapons available if you must, but not making your character stronger or something.

But I do prefer skill points over Oblivions method.

Dude, FPS has always had an RPG element. Instead of skills it was called new guns...

And I said that's fine, I've emboldened the bit you seemed to miss.

Ah, in that case... Uhm... Geez, I felt so sure I was going to win. On the bright side Starcraft comes out in 4 hours

 

[G-Force]

Neither, certainly not for FPS games.
FPS should always be skill based, not "you're as accurate as this number". Level up in terms of weapons available if you must, but not making your character stronger or something.

But I do prefer skill points over Oblivions method.

Well normally FPS games don't have stats so that genre is pretty safe from stat grinding.

 

[DazZ.]

Neither, certainly not for FPS games.

Well normally FPS games don't have stats so that genre is pretty safe from stat grinding.

Indeed, I was mostly thinking of Borderlands when typing that, but Deus Ex does pull off a stat system quite well.

Still would be terrible for a PvP FPS, but I don't see that happening for the obvious reason that it would be terrible.

 

[Berserker119]

I actually like skill points, but I like having skill trees that work, and sometimes, it's just shit.

 

[Dango]

I like it when I get skill points based on how I play.

 

[G-Force]

I'm actually very surprised on how the Escapist favors the classic XP system on account of all the RPG threads I read. In general, users here enjoy character customization and roleplaying so with this in mind a more organic level up system that was influenced by your own playstyle would be embraced by the users here.

 

[Littlee300]

I like oblivions method. It makes more sense and after playing that game, when I play fall out 2, I always think something like; I wish disarming all these traps did something for me....

 

[Valkyrie101]

Skill points. The trouble is with Oblivion's method, it necessitates grinding particularly skills to level them up, which feels unnatural and is bloody boring to boot. Also, some skills are hard to level up, which just makes it all a confusing, annoying mess. Skill points is much more streamlined and ergonomic (God, I love that word).

 

[pyrosaw]

I like the way Trilby: Art of Theft did it. You are rewarded with a handful of unique perks.

 

[migo]

Err, I like use as you go in principle, as long as it's not like Oblivion.

 

[Oktanas]

it depends on the game
but I really hate to see Max Payne to have any leveling systems

 

[Mr. Grey]

I like how Mount and Blade did it, level up your use of weapons by using them and then apply skill points to skills and stats. You can even apply it to your weapons proficiency if you want.

It has its problems, but it's the closest to what I want.

 

[Continuity]

I like the old D&D method i.e. gain xp from actions in game i.e. completing quests or killing monsters then when you reach a preset amount of XP you level up and increase your stats skills accordingly.
What I can't stand is the TES method of using a skill or ability to increase your skill in it because that only leads to stupid padding when you leave a weight on your mouse for half an hour so you can level up in Destruction or whatever.