Read a little on wiki without completely understanding.
(I got how Ability level 1-5 determines skill level and number of skills)
Take Melee Power Stance for example.
You can put 1 in Man At Arms and use the skill while your character is at Level 1.
The Melee Power Stance description says it is Spell Level 3.
Am I suffering an unrealized penalty? I just don't get it.