Each player has 3 ability trees, 1 of each category.
The categories are matching the 3 main stats, Muscles, Brains and Moves. The abilities of each tree are not directly related to the main stats, but would make good combos with them.
Each tree has 8 different abilities, in 4 tiers. Abilities are connected with all adjacent abilities of higher tiers, forming an ability tree. Higher tiers are higher in the tree.
Tier 2,3 and 4 abilities can also be upgraded once or twice.
A tier must be unlocked first, then upgraded. Unlocking and upgrading has a cost in level up points, depending on the tier and upgrade number.
An ability can only be unlocked if the previous connected tier is unlocked as well. Doesn't have to be upgraded to max. The first ability of each tree is available from level 1.
Each caveman has 3 trees, one of each category.
Each tree has 8 abilities, and all 3 trees have 24 in total (see graphic below).
There are 75 total level up points to be spent, plus a few extra ones for rare cavemen. 60 points can be spent until max caveman level, then another 15 or more abilities can be unlocked/upgraded, if you keep playing.
2 abilities of each tree are randomly coming from 2 pools of abilities of the tree (tier 2 and 3). They are always placed in tiers 2 and 3, in the center of each tree. They also form the unique ability set of rare cavemen.
Rare cavemen also have a set of 3 extra abilities, called unique abilities.
Unique abilities pool: 3 total abilities, randomly distributed, 1 from each category pools (muscles, brains, moves) to each caveman who is eligible. They cost level up points exactly as other abilities do, since they originate from these pools.
Depending on their rank, cavemen can unlock up to a specific amount of unique abilities:
Cavemen with 2-4 traits can unlock 1 out of 3. Level 5 caveman required to unlock.
Cavemen with 0 traits can unlock 2 out of 3 unique abilities.
Cavemen with special outfits can unlock 3 out of 3.