Skills and Thief Skills

[Korval]

Some observations on talents...

the current structure for skills
A1 AB1.5 B1 BC1.5 C1
A2 AB2.5 B2 BC2.5 C2
A3 AB3.5 B3 BC3.5 C3
Where AB1.5 requires A1 and B1 as prerequisites, etc.

I don't really see the point of having the "in-between" skills which require two different prerequisites. This kind of structure really only makes sense where the in-between skills provide significantly greater benefit which thus justifies 2 prerequsite skills vs. the more usual 1.

Recommend simplify the structure make a more simple progression for these skills.

Thief skills and balance... Overall, I'm very unexcited by the PC thief choice and thieves in general. I don't view most of their special abilities as terribly useful and none really stand out the way Loren's dual wielding or the PC's healing ability stands out.

Also, the thief fails as an "in-between" class that is equally good in 1st row or 2nd row. They are good 2nd row bow wielders (only).

Compare thieves to mages (very biased to 2nd row) and fighters (very biased to first row).

I would suggest a dramatic revision to the thief class to give them the ability go both ways.
Some suggestions for basic talents (replace some all existing):
1) Significant defense +25% +50% +75% (note these are disproportionately high to make up for inability to wear heavy armor)
2) Any and Dagger dual wield - same as Loren, but off hand can only be dagger
3) Steal - +10% +20% +30% gold recieved, equal chance to get an extra gem drop
4) Treasure Finding +5% +10% +15% of extra item
5) Bow expert +10% +15% +20% bow damage
Note these are all passive, active skills would be found in specialization

[jack1974]

Well is too late for such a big revision now (especially since would involve redesign new skills icons and/or rebalance the whole game). I might make some changes though to existing setup.
About your points:

I don't really see the point of having the "in-between" skills which require two different prerequisites. This kind of structure really only makes sense where the in-between skills provide significantly greater benefit which thus justifies 2 prerequsite skills vs. the more usual 1.

Basic Thief Class: the only one is Poison, which does Dark damage. Is hard to find enemies with Dark damage resistance, so I wanted it to be a bit more difficult. Might change it to be a normal skill though
Scout (Karen): Whirlwind of Karen is VERY powerful. I use it all the time and deals lots of damage with the right weapon in hand. Death Blow... ok this requires a specific condition (shattered) but does 40% of target HP. I might increase the range of conditions though
Assassin (Rei): Fatality is VERY powerful. Only requires Staggered, always critical hit, and has chances to instant kill. Deadly Strike is like Death Blow above, might increase the range of conditions
Hunter (Dora): Rain of Arrows is VERY powerful AOE. Snipe is like Death Blow above, might increase the range of conditions

So in my opinion they're justified since are much more powerful than the other skills.

The basic Thief are very poweful against elemental weak enemies: they do much more damage than a normal attack and if they trigger the DoT (damage over time) they can do much more damage than Loren. Of course depends if they trigger or not, and at early level they have only 30% of chances (might increase this).

Also, the thief fails as an "in-between" class that is equally good in 1st row or 2nd row. They are good 2nd row bow wielders (only).

I disagree. While they don't have much HP, since their main stat is Skill, they automatically get lots of Defense bonus as they level up without the need of any armor. I can easily use Karen in front row, even if doesn't make much sense if I can use the Warriors of course. But if a Warrior in front row is killed I can move Karen there and heal the Warrior, and she can deal with enemies just fine (also other Thieves, but I like her in particular).

I don't know at which level you reached? In the beginning, like most RPGs, the character class differences aren't THAT MUCH visible (still quite noticeable though) but as you reach high levels...
Example (both characters at level 13):
Dora - Defense 64 just wearing BASIC GEAR, Attack 58 and has a normal Bow
Loren - Defense 65 and has a plate helm more than Dora, Attack 63 and has the Ember Blade and dual wield!

It doesn't seem to me that Thieves are so weak compared to Loren...

Not that I don't like some of your suggestions, but now is definitely too late to change completely the Thief class of the game, sorry Another problem in doing RPGs vs other simpler games... you should in theory always test for months, something I definitely cannot afford to do.