On September 30, 2010, the MAG 2.0 patch was released that drastically changed the skill system. With the inclusion of an in-game currency and a weapon/gear/attachment/armor purchase system, many skills used in the old skill system became obsolete. The Personal Defense, Electronics, Heavy, Explosives and Support skill trees were dismantled and all the remaining relevant skills were redistributed among the old trees and 5 new ones: Special Ops, Medical, Engineering, Vehicles, and Resistances. All skills cost only 1 skill point each now and no skill bestows equipment.
The skills are unlocked sequentially, with each skill bought unlocking the one(s) connected to it. Every skill has three levels of mastery (e.g. Assault Swap Speed 1, 2, and 3) with each level of mastery enhancing that aspect of combat further, or sometimes even granting additional benefits (e.g. Improved Vehicle Awareness). One skill point is gained per level, to a maximum of 70 skill points throughout a soldier's career.
Each skill is organized by class: Field Support, Commando, Rapid Assault, Direct Action, or Sniper. A soldier's class is determined by the majority of the type of skills that soldier has purchased. In other words, when a soldier invests mainly in one type of skill, the soldier assumes that class.
This skill decreases the reload time for assault rifles and machine guns.
b Assault Swap Speed
This skill decreases the amount of time it takes to swap to assault rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers and grenade launchers.
c Assault Rifle Steady Aim
This skill reduces an assault rifle's barrel wander while scoped.
d Rocket Launcher Reload Speed
This skill decreases the reload time for rocket launchers.
e Assault Recoil Stability
This skill decreases the recoil on assault rifles and machine guns.
f Grenade Launcher Reload Speed
This skill decreases the reload time for grenade launchers.
Marksman[]
a Marksman Reload Speed
This skill decreases the reload time for all sniper rifles.
b Marksman Swap Speed
This skill decreases the amount of time it takes to swap to sniper rifles.
c Marksman Stability
This skill reduces the amount of recoil on sniper rifles.
d Marksman Steady Aim
This skill reduces a sniper rifle's barrel wander while scoped.
e Increased Scope Magnification
This skill increases the level of zoom when using a scope on a sniper rifle.
f Marksman Fire Rate
This skill increases the fire rate of all sniper rifles.
Close Quarters[]
a Close Quarters Reload Speed
This skill decreases the reload time for pistols, personal defense weapons, submachine guns and shotguns.
b Close Quarters Swap Speed
This skill decreases the amount of time it takes to swap to pistols, personal defense weapons, submachine guns and shotguns.
c Knife Frequency
This skill decreases the time between knife attacks.
d Close Quarters Recoil Stability
This skill reduces the amount of recoil on pistols, personal defense weapons, submachine guns and shotguns.
e Improved Knife Damage
This skill increases the amount of damage do to enemy soldiers.
f Close Quarters Fire Rate
This skill increases the rate of fire of pistols and shotguns.
Special Ops[]
a Extended Tracking Duration
This skill increases the amount of time a detected enemy is tracked on the mini-map and CNI.
b Improved Acoustic Locator
This skill increases the effective range of an equipped Acoustic Locator gear item.
c Improved Suppressors
This skill increases the effectiveness of a suppressor when mounted on a weapon.
d Improved Explosive Detector
The first rank of this skill increases the range an equipped Explosives Detector gear item detects enemy mines.
The second rank of this skill allows a soldier with an Explosives Detector gear item equipped to approach enemy mines while prone without triggering them.
The third rank of this skill allows the squad mates within range of a soldier with an Explosives Detector gear item equipped to also detect enemy mines.
e Improved Sensor Jammer
The first rank of this skill allows a soldier with the Sensor Jammer gear item equipped to move at a faster rate before being spotted by enemy Motion Trackers as well as masks nearby squadmates.
The second and third ranks of this skill allow a soldier with the Sensor Jammer gear item equipped to move at a faster rate before being spotted by enemy Motion Trackers as well as increase range of masking squadmates.
f Improved Motion Tracker
The first and second ranks of this skill increase the range an equipped Motion Tracker gear item detects enemy movement.
The third rank of this skill allows the squad mates within range of a soldier with a Motion Tacker gear item equipped to also detect enemy movement.
