I admit it, the skills system compared to Divine Divinity absolutely baffles me.

I have a character who likes to use daggers with a shield. At first I put a bunch of points into Melee Specialties - One-Handed - Piercing. But then I found someone who taught me the same skill, but with a shield. So is the first skill not used at all if I'm using a shield?

I've got a bunch of swords that seem to do elemental damage exclusively. Water, fire, etc. The Stingers. What skill is suggested for those?

Is there a spell like Burning Wall in DD? I was SO all about Burning Wall.

Any help appreciated. It's getting to the point where I don't know how to spend my points anymore, as I'm not sure if they'll have any effect.