Complete Guide to Passive Skill Tree in Cisco's RPG

What Is the Passive Skill Tree?

Passive Skill Tree is a Minecraft mod created by Daripher, inspired by the massive skill tree in *Path of Exile*. With over 9 million cumulative downloads, it is a popular RPG mod and one of the core progression systems in Cisco's Fantasy Medieval RPG.

It replaces vanilla Minecraft's simple experience system, allowing players to create their own character builds. You can develop your character around various concepts such as warrior, mage, hunter, and more.

Key Information

Category	Details
Total Nodes	588 (based on Cisco's Ultimate)
Starting Classes	6
Starting Nodes	6 (one starting point per class)
Max Skill Points	Approximately 85 (varies by modpack settings)
Point Acquisition	Mining ores, killing monsters/animals
Reset	Available (requires a specific item)

6 Starting Classes

Six starting nodes branch out from the very center of the tree. Each starting node serves as an entry point toward a different build concept.

1. ⚔️ Warrior

A class specializing in melee combat. Contains nodes for sword and axe damage boosts, armor bonuses, and health increases.

2. 🛡️ Tank

Specializes in survival and defense. Provides nodes for massive max health increases, damage reduction, and enhanced recovery.

3. 🏹 Hunter

A master of ranged combat. Specializes in bow/crossbow damage, critical hit chance, and movement speed.

4. 🔮 Mage

Specializes in magic damage. Rich in nodes for mana pool, spell power, and elemental damage (fire/ice/lightning).

5. 🗡️ Assassin

Focuses on critical hits and evasion. Enhances backstab damage, critical chance, and dodge rate.

6. ✨ Healer

Specializes in self-healing and buffs. Provides nodes for increased potion effects, natural regeneration, and ally buffs (in multiplayer).

Node Types (Identified by Border Color)

Nodes are classified by their border color.

Color	Type	Effect
🟢 Normal (Gray)	Minor Node	Small stat bonus (e.g., +2% damage)
🟡 Yellow	Notable Node	Large stat bonus (e.g., +20% damage)
🟣 Purple	Strong Node	Powerful effect (e.g., +50% for a specific weapon)
🟠 Orange	Keystone Node	Unique effect that changes game mechanics

Keystones are especially important. Rather than simple stats, they fundamentally change how your character plays. For example:

• *All evasion is negated, but incoming damage is reduced by 50%*
• *Critical hit chance becomes 0, but all attacks deal 100% critical damage*

These are the defining nodes that determine your build's identity.

Additional Systems

Gems

There are 4 types of gems obtained from ores:

• 💛 Citrine
• 💚 Jade
• ❤️ Ruby
• 💙 Sapphire

Each gem can be enhanced up to tier 6 by combining two gems of the same tier at a crafting table. Skill tree nodes can increase gem drop rates.

Sockets

Passive Skill Tree adds sockets to equipment.

• One socket each for weapons, chestplates, and rings
• Insert gems into sockets for additional effects

Curios

Easily craftable Curios items are added from the start. Reforging is also available as needed.

How to Earn Points

Experience can be earned through the following actions:

1. Mining ores — XP varies by ore type (Diamond > Iron > Coal)
2. Killing monsters — Stronger mobs yield more XP
3. Hunting animals — Small amount of XP
4. Quest rewards — Applied in some modpacks

Once enough experience accumulates, you earn 1 skill point.

Recommended Builds (For Beginners)

🔰 Beginner Recommendation: Crit Build

one of the most widely used build in Cisco's RPG.

Core node progression:

1. Start with Warrior or Hunter
2. Gradually move toward critical hit chance nodes
3. Secure the critical damage Keystone
4. Finish with weapon damage nodes

Pros: Reliable with high damage output, effective through late game Cons: Slightly RNG-dependent (critical hit chance)

🔥 Advanced: Crit Mage Build

A build that maximizes synergy between Mage spell damage and critical hits.

Core node progression:

1. Start with Mage
2. Secure elemental damage nodes (fire/ice, etc.)
3. Prioritize spell critical hit nodes
4. Invest in mana efficiency nodes for sustain

Pros: Explosive burst damage, easy AoE clearing Cons: Weak in early game, requires mana management

Tips for Planning Your Build

1. Choose Your Starting Class Carefully

Once you select a starting node, it's difficult to change (only possible with a reset item). Decide on your preferred playstyle beforehand.

2. You Can Utilize Two Starting Classes

Since the tree starts from the center, you can utilize two adjacent starting classes simultaneously. For example, *Warrior + Tank* creates a sturdy melee build.

3. Weigh Keystone Trade-offs Carefully

Keystones have significant penalties to match their powerful effects. Always verify they synergize with your equipment and spell usage patterns.

4. Don't Spread Your Points Too Thin

A common beginner mistake: spreading points across multiple classes → ending up weak. Focusing on 2 or fewer classes is generally stronger.

5. Check Reset Costs

While point resets are possible, reset items can be expensive or come with penalties. Consult a guide before planning your first build.

Conclusion

The Passive Skill Tree has become a standard used in various RPG modpacks beyond just Cisco's RPG. Once you learn it, you can quickly understand similar systems in other modpacks.