Mind Map & Innovations, an alternative to Wilson's skill tree.

Crossposted from the Beta Branch Forum.

Pointless since the Rework has already been decided and is coming out very soon but I wanted people to see this anyway, maybe somebody'll get a kick out of it or something.

I'm imagining instead of a skill tree you open a sort of "mind map" of Wilson's brain. On this mind map, you can unlock "Innovations" by either achieving certain things like Shadow Courtier already does, or by extracting "essence" from items.

Innovations provide small bonuses that allow you to either specialize in a specific area or remain a generalist character. Unlike the current tree though these bonuses would encompass a much wider variety of bonuses. These innovations could be like what you already see on the current skill tree, but they could also be buffs such as a minor increase to his gathering speed, more unique weapon/tool interactions like the torch toss, getting a minor speed bonus after taking damage, things of that nature.

While there are many of these innovations, the "Mind Map" only holds a certain number of slots, enough to hold maybe 10 or slightly more. So you will have to pick and choose which innovations you receive bonuses from by placing them on this map. I imagine there would also be some sort of ability to change the configuration or reset it at a cost.

Going by the achievement system, you would unlock these Innovations by killing certain bosses, collecting and crafting items, etc which would unlock bonuses based on what you achieve.

Going by the :"essence" system, you would unlock these innovations by "studying" them, maybe through a character exclusive structure (we love those of course.) This structure could have an inventory with slots, like a puzzle chest, with randomized configurations you slot these items into which unlock these essences. There would be a separate tool Wilson could wear or carry that reveals hints about the correct configuration.