Talent Tree

So I'm still not really sure how to approach this effectively. This page should definitely be a group effort. For one, I (Hawk) don't have much in the way of graphic skills, so I'll need someone else to support with making things pretty. This section is pretty visual.

## Advice about Talents

Before getting into the details about what the tree is and how the nodes work, some tips from the people regarding what we wish we knew when we first started unpacking this tree. (Wish a tip was here that isn't? Add it!)

* Reincarnation nodes are key. Once you have a handful of stat nodes to fuel your progress, you should think of yourself as striving for the next closest reincarnation node. That bonus will help you push ahead more than anything else because of all the bonuses that a higher Reincarnation Level comes with. Once you've gotten as many reincarnation nodes as you think you'll be able to pull off (once you get to the next reincarnation circle, it will cost 45 points to get through to the core - rando stat node [5], item drop node [15], reincarnation node[25]) then you should save your layout and use any extra points you get on this run to grab nodes that will help you push farther or gain more class levels. I know that the 45 point investment seems like a lot especially if you aren't looking for gear and the reincarnation node doesn't give immediate advantages, but it matters in the long run.
* Base stat nodes. These can be quite strong, especially early game. Still, most view them as the barrier that means we're 80 talent points away from another reincarnation node. Given the choice of Reincarnation Node or Stat Node? Reincarnation. Every time. (Except for special cases like challenges or if a big unlock is just a few waves away.)
* When doing a tricky challenge, rebuilding your talent tree for that one run specifically so that it doesn't grab any reincarnation nodes and instead focuses on Stat nodes and Bonus nodes until you're done might make all the difference. Once you finish the challenge, reach back for those reincarnation nodes before you go, though, if you can grab enough extra levels.
* When using the Auto-Talent feature, it is actually paying attention to the order in which you bought things. (Wow, Oni. Nice attention to details, I can understand why half of our save files are actually our talent loadouts.) So if you are rebuilding your tree from scratch, keep that in mind. Anticipate how many reincarnation nodes you will be able to afford, and save those for your final purchases. That way at the start of each run you're buying all the nodes that will contribute to the run's strength first, and then grabbing the nodes that will help future runs last.
* If you're getting close to level 3000, keep in mind it will still take time for the extra branch to be effective. Those nodes require increasing amounts of talents to be invested elsewhere before you can buy them, so if you're level 3020 you'll probably still only be able to get one of those nodes. You'll learn to love them later, don't worry. Keep growing. Also, once you unlock a special 3k branch for one class, it is unlocked for all classes. You can indeed wrap around and grab nodes from special branch of another class.
* Residue nodes are also amazing. Residue gain is slow, but grabbing a residue node will jump your produce from 4 (if you have the RP buys) to 8, without considering a class path challenge bonuses. Worth it. Probably still better to reach for another reincarnation node than a second residue node, but once you can get a good number of reincarnation nodes, grabbing a second residue node is great. I don't recommend spending on the other large nodes in the special branches unless you're not going to be able to reach another reincarnation node on this run.

## The Talent Tree

The talent tree is a web that is comprised of various nodes. These nodes each provide a bonus to a specific thing. Before moving to an adjacent node, you must max the levels of the previous node.

Most nodes have something out there in the game that will buff its effectiveness, but it another node on the tree, the reward from a challenge, or an reincarnation point purchase. Probably ascension too.

You can find a replica copy of the true Farmer Talent Tree here which you can pan around some. It is color coded!

This is a condensed version of one sixth of the talent tree, to make it a bit easier to visualize at once. This also helps to see the branching paths versus the direct paths. Take note of those beautiful reincarnation nodes at the center of the top of either half. Those are significant targets. To see the entire tree in a compressed form, check out this interactive map.

Stat Nodes

Bonus Nodes

SPOILER - Special Branch Nodes

## Path Costs

People like to min-max. Weird, I know. Here are some of the costs for the shortest paths to things. Worth noting: these are likely ineffective for actual runs because they'll lack a lot of the supporting nodes that are needed to actually kill potatoes well. I think of it more this way: this is the spine of your build. If you know how many talent points you'll have approximately, you can pick the best spine and then use any extra points for the other bones and muscles and organs and such.

* From start point to 1 residue node - 95. \*620 total talent must be spent
* From reincarnation spine to another residue - 70 \* total talents needed: 755, 890, 1025, 1160, and 1295
* All worm chance nodes - 585
* All worm chance nodes and all worm drop nodes - 900 - 315 extra
* All worm chance nodes, worm drop nodes, and larvae nodes - 1280? (Too much node counting, I think I double counted some) - 380 extra