Each class doesn't have many skills in the strict, literal sense of the word), but they will have many, many feats, combos and special moves. Some classes will have spells. Combos will be the main addition of damage in battle. They will be learned from tutors and need to be trained. Combos will kick in even for ranged combat or spell combat.
IGN, 11th May 2005 (Gaute Godager)
Since the game is an "Action" Role Playing Game we will definitely make sure your role playing stats come into play. The chance to hit is determined by where you attack, if you are close enough, the orientation of your opponent, if you're facing his back, etc. All this is player skill. There will also be other things at play, like the relative level difference, what weapon you use, what class you have -- all the normal statistical influences from a role playing game. The focus here is on the role playing aspects of the game. The player skill required to hit will be more like those found in action games like God of War and Devil May Cry 3 than in a fighting game like Tekken.
Gamespy, 17th May 2005 (Gaute Godager)
In addition to the character class choices, the player will be able to select feats, skills, special attacks and combos. Every two levels, you get one feat point, and every five levels of the 80 max, you get a whole bunch of points to select feats that feats unlock the ability to do attacks, equip gear and what-not. Every level, you get 10 skill points to distribute on skills, and every 10 percent of a level, you get another point. The skills increase the chance of climbing, opening doors, speed of regaining health, etc.
IGN, 17th June 2005 (Gaute Godager)
Some feat points will be automatically assigned, some will be up to the player to distribute. As an example, a Warrior will automatically gain the feat to wear armor, and he will be able to manually distribute feat points on different weapon types. Different classes will have different options available to them at different levels, mages as an example won't ever be able to train the heavy armor feat.
All this is valid with the current design, it might change. We're currently tweaking and making alterations to lots of things.
Forums, 18th October (DaveDread)