ASW – Alternative hero leveling.

So, you're going to remove all dependencies between the "schools"? Will you only leave connections with racial skills? This will definitely simplify the wheel (this is not a criticism).

Added 2 minutes ago
My suggestion for Fire Arrows: move them to the machinery tree after Sulfur Rain. This way, the player will either upgrade the rapid-fire ballista or the siege engines through the catapult. This is a better choice than having no choice at all (siege engines + rapid-fire = an overpowered ballista, and individually, it's just okay). It would also be good to strengthen the basic ballista.

Hmm, I looked at it - your siege engines are an alternative to rapid-fire. But this is a completely irrelevant alternative, in my opinion. Since the double shot with siege engines is much better than the triple shot without them (+ an extra perk for the catapult).

Added 7 minutes ago
The best thing, I think, is this: swap the perks of rapid-fire and the ballista (as well as the catapult and Sulfur Rain).
That is, the basic ballista gives +1 shot (x2 damage), the advanced one gives another +1 shot (x1.5 damage) + control + x2 durability. The same for the catapult.
Tie Fire Arrows as an alternative to the advanced ballista (between the basic catapult and ballista). This way, there will be a choice: double shot with siege engines, or triple controlled shot (and doubled ballista durability).

In addition, this provides a greater incentive to upgrade the advanced machinery (advanced perks are better than basic ones).

I'll make a reservation right away: in WGE, siege engines are planned to be placed as a level 3 catapult, i.e., incompatible with either the controlled or multi-shot ballista. But there, siege engines are much more powerful.

Added 11 minutes ago
Another idea: to simplify the wheel, move all unique perks (Wide Gates of Hell, Rune Recall, etc.) to the racial skill, while preserving the corresponding incoming connections from the "schools". In addition, standardize the upgrade of each "school" for all factions (except the Barbarian). That is, put all the differences in the racial skill.

In this mod, will there be skills that are unattainable for some races? Not the racial ones, but those that are almost available to everyone. For example, the Knight cannot access the Aura of Speed and Lucky Mage, the Demon cannot access Retribution, and everyone except the Knight, Warlock, and Necromancer cannot access Twilight.

I have a suggestion to expand the wheel to the following option: 9 standard perks for each skill, + 6 for the racial skill.