In the research skill trees, the points required have diminishing returns for no reason other than the third skill tree is supposed to be more difficult to level than the preceding skill trees. It costs 2,700 points to level a node in skill tree three for a 5 boost. It costs 1,600 to level a node in skill tree two for a 5 boost. It costs 800 points in skill tree one for a 3 boost. The jump from tree one to tree two is more reasonable, but the points are still worth less. In skill tree one a 1 boost is effectively 266.67 points. In skill tree two a 1 boost is effectively 320 points. The cost of points in the second tree is 20% more than in tree one. In skill tree three a 1 boost is effectively 540 points. This is about 69% more than points in tree two and 103% more than points in tree one. This would not be so bad if every node contributed to unlocking the next tree, but only nodes from the tree directly in front of the desired tree contribute to unlocking the ability to put points into that tree. This is partly rectified in tree four where a 1 boost is effectively 500 points. This is better than tree three but still worse than the first two trees. Understandably, there are point gain rate boosts in the other skill trees that somewhat alleviate the issue. The point still holds true though that it is more beneficial to level the first two trees before giving the last two a chance.