What am I missing, everything I've asked about I don't have the skill for. Even Apprentice training. Do you have to have a skill point available? If so, then what's the use of NPC trainers if I can train it myself?
you have to put a point into the skill to be trained as an apprentice. three for expert. five for master. being an apprentice has a different effect than just improving your percentage chance of success. for example, apprentice melee increases weapon speed by five allowing you to get in an extra swing or two. ~Aldin
Ah.. I see So, just putting a point into melee doesn't make me an apprentice, but allows me to get training to become an apprentice? That makes sense I guess. Thanks.
Training is kin to the Perks in Fallout. For example, how many points you put in to a skill is how well you use it. However, getting training adds bonuses. For example, for Melee: Apprentice: the Speed of the Character with a melee weapon is increased by 5. Expert: the Character is unaffected by lighting penalties. Master: the Character can not critically fail with a melee weapon. You'll still be great with melee without training, but the training just enhances your abilities.
Another example is for persuasion. An apprentice will enable his / her followers to wait for him / her a little longer than usual (your follower usually leave you if they have to wait really long). An expert in this field gives you 1 bonus follower. And as a master, anyone that is considered as a normal follower by Troika can join your team regardless of the things you need to accomplish e.g. Jayna. Jayna needs you to be a techy before she joins yur team unless you are, of course, a master in persuasion. Usually, if you want to be an apprentice, you will have to pay 100 coins. 500 coins for being an expert, and depending on who is the master, a side quest or a money donation.