Skills

Skills give your character access to certain actions or bonuses. Each of the four characters start with a bonus skill level, according to their specialization. New skills are unlocked every time you level up.

Skills fall into one of four branches: Military (MIL), Medical (MED), Technical (TECH) and Survival (SURV). Each of these branches is broken down into three basic levels. You can choose one branch to master by selecting the appropriate character archetype in the spawn menu. This gives you later access to a subsequent fourth "specialist" skill, when you achieve Hero level.

Military (MIL)
LVL 1 - GUNSLINGER Gunslinger - move while in aiming stance; Better lock-on range and accuracy. LVL 2 - BATTLE-READY Trapper - craft and place various traps

Spec training - can use weapon gadgets, NV Googles, Parachute etc. LVL 3 - ONE MAN ARMY Dual wielding - requires two Pistols, Auto Pistols or two Uzis in the inventory

Demolition - can use heavy weapons and explosives

Hauler - +2 equipment weight LVL 4 - HERO: SQUAD LEADER Leadership - allows recruiting and commanding an NPC bot

Medical (MED)
LVL 1 - FIRST AID Heal 1 - use an equipped Medikit (M3) to heal others for 10 hp

Sooth pain - use Painkillers equipped in your belt to ease pain LVL 2 - FIELD DOCTOR Heal 2 - use an equipped Medikit (M3) to heal others for 20 hp

Bandage - use Bandages equipped in your belt to stop bleeding

Mend fracture -  use Splints equipped in your belt to mend fractures LVL 3 - MEDIC Heal 3 - use an equipped Medikit to heal others for 30 hp

Revive - administer Adrenaline Shot to a wasted companion to revive him LVL 4 - HERO: SURGEON Debugger - Remove RFID chip

Technical (TECH)
LVL 1 - JURY-RIGGER Craft items by using an equipped Toolbox (M3) LVL 2 - TINKERER 50% faster vehicle repairs

Build various world items: fences, barricades, stockpiles etc LVL 3 - ENGINEER Reinforce Vehicles: requires Toolbox, Vehicle Parts and Scrap Metal LVL 4 - HERO: ARTISAN Repair exploded vehicles

Survival (SURV)
LVL 1 - RESILIENT 50% less hunger and thirst  LVL 2 - OUTDOORSMAN Improved Fires: they last longer and emit no noticeable smoke

Perceptive: can detect creatures and traps through obstacles

Hunter: more Raw Meat from carcasses LVL 3 - PREPPER Improved Stockpiles - you can bury Stockpiles for concealment

Camouflage : wearing an Improvised Ghillie lowers alpha value when crouched LVL 4 - HERO: STALKER Stealth Master -  wearing an Improvised Ghillie lowers alpha value when stationary

Secondary skills
In addition to this, there are a number of secondary skills. These are not leveled and can be acquired only by training or study. Pilot: you can now fly helicopters and planes

Scuba-diver: you can use Diving Gear

Cartographer: maps become more informative

Merchant: you get better prices from NPC vendors

Negotiator: you can talk your way through the world more easily 

Infiltrator: you can disguise as an NPC

Martial Artist: changes fighting style and boosts unarmed damage

Street-fighter: changes fighting style and boosts unarmed damage

Unstoppable: +25 hp

Level progression
Your level will rise as you accumulate xp. Most actions you undertake in the game will grant xp points, according to their difficulty. For instance, repairing a vehicle, killing another character or scavenging loot nodes will all give you xp points. Having a kill-streak of 2 or more will also grant an xp bonus. Generally, more complex actions will yield more experience.

Wasted penalty
Every time you are wasted you loose all inventory, one life and the experience progression towards the next level. Secondary skills have each a 50% chance to be forgotten.

After getting wasted three times, your character faces permadeath and you start again by creating a fresh character. Quest progression and faction status are reset. It is game over.