Spend Skill Points When a Character Levels Up
For Underkeep how to upgrade skills, open the relevant character's Skills interface after they gain a level, then spend available skill points to improve an existing skill or unlock an available one. The narrated demo tutorial explicitly presents those two uses for skill points. Check which character leveled up, because the available points and choices belong to that character.
An upgrade is only useful if you can use the resulting ability in your party. Before committing, read its level restriction, resource cost, and equipment requirements. The official Underkeep Steam page emphasizes developing complementary characters rather than upgrading every party member in the same way.
Choose Between Improving and Unlocking
A community demo playthrough records the player inspecting existing spells and other available skills after a level-up. It also shows that some later options have character-level requirements, so an entry appearing in the interface does not necessarily mean it can be selected immediately.
Use this sequence:
- Select the character with unspent points.
- Open their Skills interface and inspect the available options.
- Compare improving an ability you already use with unlocking another eligible ability.
- Read the requirements before spending the point.
- Check how the chosen skill is made available during combat.
The developer confirms in the demo skill discussion that skills can be leveled to improve their effectiveness. That discussion also records ongoing balance changes, so old player calculations are not a reliable permanent upgrade table.
Activate or Select the Ability Afterward
Learning a skill and using it are separate steps. The narrated demo tutorial says to right-click the active skill to switch between skills. That can help when a newly unlocked attack has not replaced the option currently displayed for the character.
For an aura, the developer gives a more specific instruction: select the aura in the character's Skills section and press Activate. The discussion arose because a player found that selecting an aura during creation did not automatically make it active in their demo build. Check the aura's state rather than assuming that learning it is enough.
Equipment matters too. A demo player replaced a sword with another weapon and then found a sword-dependent ability unavailable. More stamina would not solve that restriction; the character needs a compatible weapon or a different usable skill.
FAQ
Can I improve an existing skill instead of taking a new one?
Yes. The recorded demo tutorial explicitly describes spending skill points on existing skills or unlocking new ones.
Why is an unlocked skill not my current combat option?
The demo tutorial describes right-clicking the active skill to switch between skills. Auras may additionally require activation in the Skills interface.
Why can I not select every skill in the list?
Check the current requirements. The narrated demo includes skills gated by character level; individual abilities may also depend on resources or a compatible weapon.