Warrior, Mage, or Paladin?

But I disagree with the idea that choosing skills is irrational. For a mage, both "Higher Magic" and "Alchemy" significantly enhance their main weapon – magic. For a warrior, the "Wrath" ability is extremely useful (I seem to have forgotten something from the bottom of the list). And in PvP, I got "Higher Magic" as early as level 5 (though I was playing on easy :o). I think it's quite possible to get the lower-level skill from one of the branches around level 10-11.

I meant the choice based on the special abilities, specifically those at the very bottom. Let's look at their progression using a mage as an example. I'll start from the end to avoid confusion:
1) Higher Magic (5 RS, 5 RD, 15 RM)
2) Archmage (3 RM)
3) Chaos Magic (2 RS, 4 RM) + Healer (1 RD, 1 RM)
3) Order Magic (1 RD, 2 RM) for Healer and Distortion Magic (1 RS, 1 RD, 3 RM) + Concentration (1 RD, 4 RM) for Chaos Magic
4) Wisdom (4 RM) + Meditation (1 RD, 1 RM)

Total: 9 skills, 8 Rune Stones of Strength, 10 Rune Stones of Spirit, and 37 Rune Stones of Magic. Level 10-11?! :confused: I'm not sure...
And that's if you ignore all other skills!

I think it's more rational to choose based on which skill branch seems more useful. Do you prefer to rain down Fireballs and cast Hypnotize? Choose the mage! Do you like to deal heavy damage to tough units? Level up the warrior.
And the ability at the very bottom will be acquired eventually...