The second alpha playtest is in progress. Time to share my thoughts on the skill system.
Here's what's present in the playtest: each character has two specializations to pick from: one for the main weapon (a ranged one), one for the secondary one (a melee/special one). Picking a specialization is optional. A character always has access to assault rifles, even if they do not pick a main specialization.
List of main weapon specializations.
After picking a specialization, the character is granted access to skills related to it.
List of current specializations (assault rifles, shotguns, katanas) and some of their skills.
Other than that, there are common skills that are pickable independently of any other specialization. They can be about reload bonuses, overwatch, combat tactics, etc. etc.
Every time a character picks a skill for a specialization, or a common one, they are presented with up to three choices.
I am pretty fond of the system that has a potential of having lots of different skills. That being said, while playtesting it myself, I found it slightly too random - and you are pointing the same thing in your feedback. I believe the player needs more control over this. I do not want to go full skill tree here, so I need to consider my options.
Take care, and keep that feedback coming!
Sławomir "bryqu" Bryk