players the freedom to buy skills

Quoting beta feedback as a reason, Cryptic is changing Neverwinter’s character progression to allow players to purchase new skills via power points. Previously, specific skills were handed out automatically upon hitting certain levels, but apparently choice was a big request of testers.

The new power points system, which will be available in the upcoming fourth beta weekend, allows for both skill unlocks and upgrades. There will be certain restrictions, such as keeping the third rank for all skills locked until level 30 and not giving players enough points to purchase everything by the time they hit the endgame.

The team says that this system will make the decision of feat choices more strategic, particularly in compensating for any power weakness.

I liked the game well enough in beta but I’ve felt for a while like it wasn’t getting enough time in testing and the fact that they’re still making big changes like this so close to their “open beta” (in effect an actual release since there’s no more character wipes after OB starts) isn’t a good sign to me.