Skills Reference

Skills represent player progression specializations. Players earn XP and spend it to level up skills. Higher skill levels unlock crafting recipes and improve combat performance.

Files live in: <pack_root>/data/skills/<category>/<skill_name>.json where <category> is combat, crafting, or science.

JSON Shape

{
  "displayName": "skills.category.mypack.crafting.forging",
  "description": "skills.category.mypack.crafting.forging.desc",
  "meta": "crafting",
  "category": "mypack:forging",
  "topLevel": 100,
  "math": {
    "start": 1000,
    "progressionCurve": 1.5
  }
}

Field Reference

Field	Type	Required	Description
displayName	string (lang key)	✅	Registry key for the skill display name.
description	string (lang key)	✅	Registry key for the skill description.
meta	string	✅	Category slug — must match the folder: combat, crafting, or science.
category	string	✅	Full qualified category key: <pack>:<skill_id>. Example: "mypack:forging"
topLevel	integer	✅	Maximum level this skill can reach. Typical values: 10, 50, or 100.
math.start	integer	✅	XP required to reach level 1. Each subsequent level costs more, scaled by the curve.
math.progressionCurve	float	✅	Exponential multiplier per level. Higher = steeper grind.

XP Formula

XP for level N = start × (progressionCurve ^ (N − 1))

Example with start: 1000 and progressionCurve: 1.5:

Level	Approx XP to reach
1	1,000
2	1,500
3	2,250
5	5,063
10	38,443

Tuning the Curve

progressionCurve	Feel
1.2 – 1.4	Gentle — max level is reachable relatively quickly
1.5 – 1.7	Standard — meaningful grind
1.8 – 2.0	Steep — late levels require heavy investment
2.0+	Very steep — max level is a major achievement

How Skills Connect to Recipes

Skills are referenced in recipe files via the requires field:

"requires": {
  "skill": "mypack:forging",
  "level": 3
}

The player must have that skill at the specified level or higher. If not, the recipe shows as locked in the crafting UI.

Sub-Pages

• Combat Skills — weapon, shield, engine, and thruster efficiency
• Crafting Skills — forging, alloying, circuit assembly, and recipe unlocks
• Science Skills — alien tech, biology engineering, advanced physics