A following node requires the preceding node in most systems because it represents a progression OR a dependency. Speed Tweak depending on Hill Climb doesn't make sense to me. The Electronic Warfare section could have dependencies that make sense. The others not so much.
A more linear system, with perhaps fewer SP's available, would be better, IMO.
Don't know about the CBill/XP costs. I'm one of those people too lazy to move modules and engines around. So I have a boat load of money and GXP. I defer.
Mech specialization requires a couple of things. Built-in quirks or skill tree paths with less resistance than others AND in-game perks to play that role. Otherwise it's all about the guns.
This may not be a popular idea....but the Skill Tree is all upside. I would not be against other "costs" connected with eliting. These would be intended to partially balance cost/reward somewhat. Weapons are the most obvious example. For example, an IS ML range increment may come with a duration increase. This is in keeping with what we might call "The Clan Paradigm." Better range/damage for hotter, slower, longer burn weapons. Still worth it, but not all upside. Gives the newbie with stock MLs a slight edge in a category (shorter burn in this example). Lasers might go like this:
+Range = longer burn
-Cooldown = more heat (already the case, bump more?)
-Duration = Shorter range or longer cooldown
-Heat = less damage
+Damage = a lot more heat (bad idea, prob.)
The idea is not to nullify the advantages of skilling up, but to create some give-and-take and create paths of hyper-specialization at a cost. You could take a linear path to lower heat, for example, at a cost of lower damage. In some cases, stock weapons might be the sweet spot - SP's could be used in other (read: less popular) parts of the tree. With costs in place, you might have room to buff the elite advantage a tad. (And yes, some of these paths vie against one another and so would probably be decision points on the tree.)
As principle, this could applied across the board. Again, linear paths to high specialization at a cost. Speed Tweak +15!?! Turn rate of lights/mediums or Deceleration of heavies/assaults reduced significantly.
I think the combination of linear path with cost would actually encourage focus and so specialization. My two CBills worth.
Edited by BearFlag, 09 February 2017 - 09:34 PM.