Skills

Every skill starts unlocked and climbs to 99. Open the Skills window with K. Skills are grouped into four categories; each category also has its own overall level.

Combat

Combat skills rise as you fight with a weapon type or school of magic.

ArcherySkill with bows.Astral MagicCosmic power from the rarest staves.AxemanshipSkill with one- and two-handed axes.Blunt WeaponsMaces, war hammers, flails and great hammers.Earth MagicStone, spikes and quakes from an Earth staff.Fire MagicCommand of flame.First AidTreat wounds in and out of battle.Frost MagicCommand of ice.Holy MagicHealing and holy power.IllusionThe Mesmer's clones and confusion.KnifeworkDaggers: quick, precise and deadly.Martial ArtsFight with fists and feet. Trains very slowly while you do MNecromancyRaise and command the dead.PolearmsSpears, pikes and halberds.Shield DefenceBlocking and damage mitigation.Storm MagicLightning from a Lightning staff: fast, critical, explosive.SubterfugeThe Rogue's stealth, poisons and ambushes.SwordsmanshipSkill with blades and axes.ThrowingDarts, throwing knives and shuriken.WarfareThe Warrior's battle techniques.

Maritime

Maritime skills rise as you sail, fight at sea and look after your ship.

AssaultBoarding melee: every Assault that wins its clash trains thiBallisticsImproves cannon range, accuracy and projectile effectivenessCannoneeringImproves general cannon handling.Damage ControlImproves response to fires, leaks, sail and rudder damage.EvasionReduces incoming cannon damage.GuardBoarding melee: every Guard that throws back an Assault traiGunfireBoarding melee: every Gunfire that wins its clash trains thiNavigationImproves sailing efficiency.PenetrationImproves armour penetration and hull damage.ReloadingImproves cannon reload speed.RepairImproves emergency ship repairs.RowingRow ships that carry oars. Rowing makes your oars faster andSail HandlingTrim and set sail. Each level adds a quarter of a percent toShip HandlingImproves turning, manoeuvring and acceleration.TacticsBoarding melee: every Tactics that outwits a Gunfire trains

Adventure

Adventure skills cover exploring and gathering: fishing, woodcutting, mining, cooking and more.

Animal HarmonyTame wild mounts, break them in, breed them and raise their ArchaeologyAllows ancient discoveries.BotanyAllows plant discoveries.CookingCook raw fish on a fire. Higher levels burn less; cooked fisExplorationImproves discovery success.FaithBury bones, burn them on a fire or offer them at a shrine. FFarmingGrow crops and herbs on allotments and your estate's plots.FiremakingLight logs on the ground with a tinderbox. Fires cook fish.FishingCatch fish from piers, beaches, ponds and the fishing groundMiningMine the ore rocks of every island: copper and tin at home, SurveyingLocate hidden geographical features.ThievingLift goods from market stalls without the Watch seeing: foodTreasure HuntingImproves treasure discovery.WoodcuttingChop the trees of every island for logs. Oaks, pines, willowZoologyAllows animal discoveries.

Trade

Trade skills help you buy low and sell high.

AccountingUnderstand market prices and reduce trading losses.AppraisalReveals information about valuable goods.CraftingPlanks, rope, cloth, cut gems, jewellery, staves and wands aFletchingBows and crossbows from logs and bowstrings.GlassworkingMelt sand into glass at a furnace and blow it into vials, orHerblawMix herbs, secondary ingredients and vials of water into potLeatherworkingTan hides into leather and stitch it into armour.LogisticsImproves cargo efficiency.PersuasionNegotiate better buying and selling prices.ProvisioningReduces food and water costs.SmithingSmelt ore into bars at a furnace and hammer them into weapon