Aptitude - Revision history

Hordes at 16:00, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T16:00:19Z

Hordes: /* Formula */

2026-02-13T15:58:25Z

‎Formula

Hordes: /* Strategy */

2026-01-22T16:48:44Z

‎Strategy

Hordes at 16:45, 22 January 2026

2026-01-22T16:45:30Z

Hordes: /* Useful Info */

2024-03-11T15:47:41Z

‎Useful Info

Hordes: rewording stuff

2024-03-11T15:47:13Z

rewording stuff

Hordes: /* Strategy */ explicitly state that (0 apt skill #) v (-1 apt skill #) doesn't make a ton of difference

2024-03-11T09:30:44Z

‎Strategy: explicitly state that (0 apt skill #) v (-1 apt skill #) doesn't make a ton of difference

Hordes: /* Strategy */ Remove a "Also, _ note"

2024-03-10T20:42:21Z

‎Strategy: Remove a "Also, _ note"

Hordes: +strategy

2024-03-10T20:16:52Z

+strategy

Hordes: link to skill directly

2024-03-08T19:13:53Z

link to skill directly

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ===Formula===
-If a species has an aptitude of <font size="3"><code>n</code></font>, it needs <font size="3"><code>2^(-n/4)</code></font> as much XP to gain a level of that skill, compared to a species with aptitude 0. In other words, having +4 aptitude means halving the XP cost per level.
+If a species has an aptitude of <font size="3"><code>n</code></font>, it needs <font size="3"><code>2^(-n/4)</code></font> as much XP to gain a level of that skill, compared to a species with aptitude 0. In other words, increasing aptitude by +4 means halving the XP cost per level.
 Example: a [[Poltergeist]] has a +4 aptitude in [[Hexes]], while a [[Human]] has an aptitude of 0. If a Human would require 100 XP to advance a level, it would take the Poltegeist <code>100 * 2^(-4/4)</code>, or 50 XP, to advance that same level.
@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 Aptitudes are meaningful, and a species' good aptitudes should be taken advantage of when it is reasonable.
-However, the impact of aptitudes are often overstated. A different of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal ''in practice'', as training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude. Even a ±2 difference is manageable after all; it is possible to win with [[Mummy]]. See the below table for how aptitude affects skill levels.
+However, the impact of aptitudes are often overstated. A different of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal ''in practice'', as training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude. Even a ±2 difference is manageable - after all, it is possible to win with [[Mummy]]. See the below table for how aptitude affects skill levels.
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@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ===Formula===
-If you have an aptitude of <font size="3"><code>n</code></font>, you'll need <font size="3"><code>2^(-n/4)</code></font> as much XP to gain a level of that skill, compared to a species with aptitude 0. Example: a [[Poltergeist]] has a +4 aptitude in [[Hexes]], while a [[Human]] has an aptitude of 0. If a Human would require 100 XP to advance a level, it would take the Poltegeist <code>100 * 2^(-4/4)</code>, or 50 XP, to advance that same level.
+If a species has an aptitude of <font size="3"><code>n</code></font>, it needs <font size="3"><code>2^(-n/4)</code></font> as much XP to gain a level of that skill, compared to a species with aptitude 0. In other words, having +4 aptitude means halving the XP cost per level.
-This means that, for every interval of +4 aptitude, you'll require twice/half as much XP per level. So a +8 aptitude requires half as much XP as a +4 aptitude, a +1 aptitude requires half as much XP as a -3 aptitude, and so on.
+Example: a [[Poltergeist]] has a +4 aptitude in [[Hexes]], while a [[Human]] has an aptitude of 0. If a Human would require 100 XP to advance a level, it would take the Poltegeist <code>100 * 2^(-4/4)</code>, or 50 XP, to advance that same level.
-Note that half the XP cost ≠ twice the amount of levels, since XP cost rises for each level you have of a skill. So if a Human had 10 levels of Hexes, a Poltergeist wouldn't have 20 levels of Hexes (the actual level is 14).
+Note that half the XP cost ≠ twice the amount of levels, since XP cost rises for each level you have of a skill. So if a Human had 10 levels of Hexes, a Poltergeist would actually have 14 levels, not 20.
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Aptitudes are meaningful - you should take advantage of your species' good aptitudes when it is reasonable.
+Aptitudes are meaningful, and a species' good aptitudes should be taken advantage of when it is reasonable.
-However, the impact of aptitudes are often overstated. A different of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal; ''in practice'', training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude. Even a ±2 difference is manageable; after all, it is possible to win with [[Mummy]]. See the below table for how aptitude affects skill levels.
+However, the impact of aptitudes are often overstated. A different of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal ''in practice'', as training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude. Even a ±2 difference is manageable after all; it is possible to win with [[Mummy]]. See the below table for how aptitude affects skill levels.
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-{{version031}}
+{{version033}}
-'''Aptitudes''' are a measure of how fast you can advance in a [[skill]] - the higher the aptitude, the faster you'll learn the skill. Aptitudes are determined by your [[species]], where each species has a separate aptitude rating for each skill. Therefore, some species will prefer certain skills over others. For example, [[Deep Elves]] have an easier time learning magic, and [[Hill Orc]]s have an easier time learning melee combat. Taking advantage of your species' aptitudes is key to winning the game.
+'''Aptitudes''' are a measure of how fast you can advance in a [[skill]] - the higher the aptitude, the faster you'll learn the skill. Aptitudes are determined by your [[species]], where each species has a separate aptitude rating for each skill. Therefore, some species will prefer certain skills over others. For example, [[Deep Elves]] have an easier time learning magic, and [[Minotaur]]s have an easier time learning melee combat. Taking advantage of your species' aptitudes is key to winning the game.
 You can view your species' aptitudes at any time by opening the skill menu ('''m'''). You can also press '''? %''' in-game to see the big table of races and aptitudes, or you can check each each [[species]]' individual pages on the wiki.
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ===Formula===
-If you have an aptitude of <font size="3"><code>n</code></font>, you'll need <font size="3"><code>2^(-n/4)</code></font> as much XP to gain a level of that skill, compared to a species with aptitude 0. Example: a [[Vampire]] has a +4 aptitude in [[Hexes]], while a [[Human]] has an aptitude of 0. If a Human would require 100 XP to advance a level, it would take the Vampire <code>100 * 2^(-4/4)</code>, or 50 XP, to advance that same level.
+If you have an aptitude of <font size="3"><code>n</code></font>, you'll need <font size="3"><code>2^(-n/4)</code></font> as much XP to gain a level of that skill, compared to a species with aptitude 0. Example: a [[Poltergeist]] has a +4 aptitude in [[Hexes]], while a [[Human]] has an aptitude of 0. If a Human would require 100 XP to advance a level, it would take the Poltegeist <code>100 * 2^(-4/4)</code>, or 50 XP, to advance that same level.
 This means that, for every interval of +4 aptitude, you'll require twice/half as much XP per level. So a +8 aptitude requires half as much XP as a +4 aptitude, a +1 aptitude requires half as much XP as a -3 aptitude, and so on.
-Note that half the XP cost ≠ twice the amount of levels, since XP cost rises for each level you have of a skill. So if a Human had 10 levels of Hexes, a Vampire wouldn't have 20 levels of Hexes (in practice, the Vampire would have ~14 Hexes).
+Note that half the XP cost ≠ twice the amount of levels, since XP cost rises for each level you have of a skill. So if a Human had 10 levels of Hexes, a Poltergeist wouldn't have 20 levels of Hexes (the actual level is 14).
 ==Strategy==
-Aptitudes are important - you should take advantage of your species' good aptitudes when it is reasonable.
+Aptitudes are meaningful - you should take advantage of your species' good aptitudes when it is reasonable.
-That being said, you shouldn't dismiss a skill just because you have a poor aptitude. When deciding to train a skill, you should also consider your [[stat]]s and available gear/spells as well. For example, if you find an amazing [[randart]] [[demon blade]] early on, you should probably use it, even if you have a -2 aptitude for [[Long Blades]].
+However, the impact of aptitudes are often overstated. A different of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal; ''in practice'', training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude. Even a ±2 difference is manageable; after all, it is possible to win with [[Mummy]]. See the below table for how aptitude affects skill levels.
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 |Level 23.23
 |}
-For most types of skills, the difference between, say, level 15 and level 13.8 is small. Going from 13.8 to 15 levels of [[Dodging]] only results in a gain of 1-2 EV (for regular [[size]] species); going from 13.8 to 15 levels of a weapon skill is rarely relevant.
+Therefore, you shouldn't dismiss a skill just because you have a poor aptitude. When deciding to train a skill, you should also consider your [[stat]]s and available gear/spells as well. For example, if you find an amazing [[randart]] [[demon blade]] early on, you should probably use it, even if you have a -2 aptitude for [[Long Blades]].
 ==Trivia==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Aptitudes are determined almost entirely by your [[species]]; there are very few ways to modify them during a game. A [[manual]] will increase your aptitudes by +4 until it runs out. Also, you can willingly lower your aptitudes as part of a [[Ru]] sacrifice.
-The relative amount of XP required for a given aptitude is tabulated below:
+Higher aptitudes are faster because they require less XP. The relative amount of XP required for a given aptitude is tabulated below:
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 |}
-Higher aptitudes are better because they require less XP. E.g. a species with -5 aptitude would require <code>238/100</code> = 2.38x as much XP as a species with 0 aptitude.
+E.g. a species with -5 aptitude would require <code>238/100</code> = 2.38x as much XP as a species with 0 aptitude.
 If an aptitude is listed as "NA", it means the species is completely unable to learn that skill. For example, [[Felid]]s can't wear [[armour]], so they can't gain any levels of the [[Armour skill]].

@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 That being said, you shouldn't dismiss a skill just because you have a poor aptitude. When deciding to train a skill, you should also consider your [[stat]]s and available gear/spells as well. For example, if you find an amazing [[randart]] [[demon blade]] early on, you should probably use it, even if you have a -2 aptitude for [[Long Blades]].
-Also, please note that a difference of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal. Training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude, and +1 aptitude isn't that much faster than 0 aptitude either.
+Please note that a difference of ±1 aptitude isn't a big deal. Training a skill at -1 aptitude is not much slower than training at 0 aptitude, and +1 aptitude isn't that much faster than 0 aptitude either.
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@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 Notably, this means that every interval of +4 aptitude means twice/half as much XP is required per level. So a +8 aptitude requires half as much XP as a +4 aptitude, a +1 aptitude requires half as much XP as a -3 aptitude, and so on.
-Also, note that half the XP cost =/= twice the amount of levels, since XP cost rises for each level you have of a skill. So if a Human had 10 levels of Hexes, a Vampire wouldn't have 20 levels of Hexes (the Vampire would have ~14 Hexes).
+Also, note that half the XP cost ≠ twice the amount of levels, since XP cost rises for each level you have of a skill. So if a Human had 10 levels of Hexes, a Vampire wouldn't have 20 levels of Hexes (in practice, the Vampire would have ~14 Hexes).
 ==Trivia==