I agree with Raze about Lockpicking... usually chests that you open with keys have the better gear; where as the lockpick stuff just has generic loot...
and Evade- you only need 1 pt to that, as the 10% dodge chance is all you need-- and the +1% each level just isn't worth it.
though, to go against what i just said about lockpick, the skill book in Farglow i use for Lockpick to unlock the chest next to the mage (hoping for a couple of good recipes), then once i reach Broken Valley village, another point to lockpick to start the Bookhunt in the Black Boar Tavern for that one Skill Book in the fireplace (as one of hte books is hidden behind a r.2 Lockpick door). from there, i just go wherever i like with my skill points...
as i usually level up twice after talking around town and reporting back to Rhodes.
i forget if the guy stranded in the tower you mindread for a skill point or a stat point.
Once you leave the village and pass Rhode's little test, you can get an accessory with atleast a +2 Wisdom... definitely handy for reporting quests and raking in the XP (and offsetting your XP Mindreading Debt). so before you return to claim the bountyheads, get that, and turn them in all at once- unless you're desperate for gold/xp...
