Marvel's Spider-Man/Skills

Skills are split into trees under three categories: Innovator, Defender, and Webslinger. Skills must be purchased using skill points obtained from leveling up, and can only be purchased if the preceding skills have been purchased. The order in which you unlock these skills is heavily dependent on your play style, though you should make sure to give all trees a balanced amount of attention in order to make best use of Spider-Man's skill set.

Web Throw

 * Prerequisite: None
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Hold psx: T to grab and throw webbed and electrified enemies. They can be tossed into other enemies or walls.

While the Web Throw is ineffective against shielded enemies and brutes (another skill must be unlocked later to be able to throw webbed brutes), it's a powerful tool against normal enemies, which can then be thrown into brutes in order to stun them. While this skill may be impractical when surrounded by gun-toting enemies, the Impact Web, Electric Web, and Web Bomb gadgets make it much easier to use, though regardless of its uses, unlocking it is necessary in order to access all other skills in this tree.

Hazard Zone
This skill is, unlike the two beside it, directly dependent on its prerequisite. If you actually make use of the Web Throw, this skill will aid you in its execution immensely. If you don't make use of the Web Throw, this skill should give you the opportunity to do so. Ordinarily, the wind up of a Web Throw leaves Spider-Man vulnerable to surrounding enemies, giving them the chance to interrupt the move before Spider-Man can even get to throwing. Hazard Zone ensures that, gunmen aside, Spider-Man has a much higher chance of actually completing the throw, knocking back a crowd that surrounds him in the process.
 * Prerequisite: Web Throw
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Web Throw knocks enemies down during the wind up, clearing the immediate area.

Extended Perch Takedown
If you have trouble getting through stealth segments, or simply prefer to get through them quickly rather than waiting for enemies to get into position, this skill is best purchased early on.
 * Prerequisite: Web Throw
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Increases Perch Takedown range.

Pistol and Baton Yank
Yanking enemies is on its own, not a very useful move against crowds of enemies, as it only staggers one enemy for a short amount of time. This skill gives the yank much more value, as it can remove small weaponry from a fight completely.
 * Prerequisite: Web Throw
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Hold psx: T to yank small arms like pistols and batons right out of enemies' hands.

Spin Cycle
This skill can be useful combined with its prerequisite, as a longer wind up gives you more chances to knock back surrounding enemies. However, this skill doesn't have much use otherwise, so unless Web Throws are your preferred method of attack, save your skill points for more useful skills early on.
 * Prerequisite: Hazard Zone
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: When throwing an enemy, rapidly press psx: T during the throw to continue spinning enemies.

Scare Tactics
If you find yourself comfortable with stealth takedowns, this skill is suitable for early purchase. Not only can it provide helpful in story missions, but in base takedowns as well; the first round can be done entirely through stealth, while all subsequent rounds are done with the enemies fully aware of Spider-Man's location. If you're able to clear the first round entirely through stealthy means, this skill should give you a head start on the subsequent round, allowing you to perform some preemptive finishers.
 * Prerequisite: Extended Perch Takedown
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Stealth Takedowns generate much more Focus.

Rifle, Shield, and Launcher Yank
This skill builds on its prerequisite in that it gives the yank even more power. Rather than having to knock down shielded enemies, rifle-toting enemies, or enemies launching rockets at Spider-Man, you can now transform these enemies into normal enemies with a simple yank. If you get impatient dodging heavy gunfire and rockets, as well as dodging under shielded enemies, this skill is the one for you. This can prove especially helpful on the hardest difficulty, but if you can tolerate the added juggling required for these types of enemies, this skill is best saved for later.
 * Prerequisite: Pistol and Baton Yank
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Hold psx: T to yank heavy arms like rifles, launchers, and shields away from enemies.

Wrecking Ball
This appropriately-named skill increases the power of the Web Throw immensely, transforming any brute (which tend to be a nuisance in battle) into Spider-Man's own personal wrecking ball. It is much more useful than it appears, as it essentially brings brutes down to the level of normal enemies. It also allows Spider-Man to knock back a large number of other enemies alongside the brute, including both enemies caught in the wind up and the brute's landing. Use in combination with a Web Bomb or Impact Web to bring a brute down quickly.
 * Prerequisite: Spin Cycle
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Brute enemies can be grabbed and thrown when webbed, affecting enemies over a wide area.

Surprise Attack
Unless you begin most of your battles in a stealthy manner, this skill isn't very useful. It's made even more unnecessary by the fact that it isn't a prerequisite to another skill. Save it for later unless you enjoy making a flashy entrance.
 * Prerequisite: Scare Tactics
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Upgrades Web Strike Takedown move so that nearby enemies are knocked back.

Yank and Throw
This skill, combined with its prerequisites, greatly improves the use of Spider-Man's yank, giving him the ability to take away their weapons and subsequently hurt them with those weapons. While the force with which the weapons hit their holders isn't that strong, it's enough to knock them back, taking them out of the battle temporarily.
 * Prerequisite: Rifle, Shield, and Launcher Yank
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Hold psx: T to hurl yanked weapons back at enemies with concussive force.

Collateral Damage
This skill, like Hazard Zone, is useful for crowd control when performing throws. It causes thrown objects to form something of a shockwave, knocking back enemies anywhere close to its landing position. Purchasing this skill as soon as possible is recommended, particularly if you make heavy use of throws (which should be the case if you've purchased the necessary prerequisites).
 * Prerequisite: Wrecking Ball
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Thrown objects damage all nearby enemies.

Rocket Return
This skill requires quick reflexes, and thus you may need to retrain your fingers a bit to use it. The first instinct when a rocket comes flying toward Spider-Man should be to dodge. This skill gives you a small window to press the designated shoulder buttons instead of psx: C to not only avoid the attack, but to attack back. It can prove useful, but only if you feel you'll be able to use it regularly. Otherwise, it's best saved for later.
 * Prerequisite: Yank and Throw
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Press psx: L1 psx: R1 to throw rockets back at enemies.

Perfect Dodge
This skill is incredibly important, and should be one of the very first you unlock. Dodging the attacks of enemies at just the right time, regardless of whether they're striking or shooting, will have Spider-Man counter with a Web Shot that stuns the attacking enemy (as long as that enemy is in range of his Web Shot). Web Shooters do not have to be equipped to pull this off, and even if they are equipped, it won't affect your stock. This skill really shines when Spider-Man finds himself surrounded by large crowds; stunning enemies while remaining defensive becomes especially valuable when pressed for health, and the Focus it generates can help restore any lost health, allowing Spider-Man to get back on the offensive.
 * Prerequisite: None
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Press psx: C just as your Spider Sense turns blue to counter enemies with a Web Shot to the face. Generates bonus Focus.

Perfect Hit
Once this skill is unlocked, you'll likely be able to pull it off randomly while executing combos. If you really want that extra Focus, pay attention to when Spider-Man's hit starts and lands; this can be difficult due to his quickness, but as long as you hit psx: S as soon as the attack connects with the target, a glowing blue aura will indicate the acquisition of bonus Focus. This skill isn't as important as the Perfect Dodge, but can be helpful in a more passive way.
 * Prerequisite: Perfect Dodge
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Press psx: S just as an attack lands to generate bonus Focus.

Dodge Window
After acquiring Perfect Dodge, this is a must-have early on. As helpful as Perfect Dodge is, the window given to accomplish it (immediately before an enemy's attack lands) is small. With this skill, the Perfect Dodge can be accomplished much more often, as perfect timing isn't required to pull it off. As long as a dodge is performed while an enemy attempts an attack, the Dodge Window skill ensures that that dodge is a Perfect Dodge.
 * Prerequisite: Perfect Dodge
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Increases timing window for Perfect Dodge and Web Shot Counter, making it easier to accomplish.

Throw
This skill gives Spider-Man another move in his ground-based combat arsenal. After you begin a combo (or mid-combo), Spider-Man can launch enemies away from him in the direction of your choosing (if you aren't close enough to the target, you'll perform a yank instead). If you want to gain distance from enemies or simply spice up your combos, this skill can be useful, but its power pales in comparison to the Web Throw.
 * Prerequisite: Perfect Dodge
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Press psx: S, then hold psx: T to grab and throw an enemy in any direction.

Combo Booster
With Spider-Man's speed, maintaining a combo isn't difficult; just make sure to make heavy use of Web Strikes (to approach enemies quickly) and dodges (as taking a hit interrupts your combo). As long as your hits follow each other in a short amount of time, the combo will increase, and with this skill, your high combos will be rewarded with Focus for finishers (which can further continue the combo, making Spider-Man invulnerable while he executes the finisher).
 * Prerequisite: Perfect Hit
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Improves focus gained at higher combo counts.

Last Stand
This skill, like its prerequisites (Perfect Dodge and Dodge Window) should be acquired as soon as possible. It is, quite literally, a life saver, particularly during tough encounters (such as boss fights or against large crowds). Dodging every attack that comes your way can be difficult, and unless you watch your health closely, you can't know which hit will be fatal; with this skill, the game does the monitoring for you, though take note that it only activates once every battle.
 * Prerequisite: Dodge Window
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Slows time just before you take a fatal hit, giving you one last chance to dodge. Can only be used once per combat encounter.

Ground Strike
Chances are, whether you find a use for this skill in combat or not, you'll purchase this skill while doing research for one of Harry's research stations. This move acts as a kind of ground pound, and you do not need to be coming off a combo (or even be anywhere near enemies) to pull it off as its description implies. It can be done when jumping from any height, even off of a tall building, and is a great way to start fights against a crowd of enemies, knocking them all back before they can realize what hit them.
 * Prerequisite: Throw
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: After leaping off an enemy or from air combat press psx: S psx: X to smash the ground with explosive force.

Vengeance
This skill comes in handy when pressed for health, as the Focus that generates from your attacks should be a great help in restoring any lost health. If you enjoy playing dangerously, this skill can assist you in pulling off a good number of finishers, as long as you ensure that Spider-Man's health stays below the halfway point. Otherwise, it serves as a good passive skill that aids Spider-Man when on the defensive.
 * Prerequisite: Combo Booster
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: When below half health, attacks generate Focus faster.

Payback
This skill can be incredibly useful if you remember to use it. The gunfire of rifle and pistol-toting enemies gives you plenty of opportunities to perform a Perfect Dodge, and as long as you go for a Web Strike immediately following the Perfect Dodge, they'll fall instantly (similarly to a stealth takedown).
 * Prerequisite: Last Stand
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Press psx: T after Perfect Dodging rifle and pistol enemies for an instant takedown.

Epicenter
If you utilize Ground Strike often, this skill is a way to make the ground pound even more powerful. Make sure to get a good jump off a high building, then watch as the enemies caught in the attack get knocked down. This can be useful when stopping crimes, as a Ground Strike off a building is a good way to knock down a group of enemies before the encounter even begins.
 * Prerequisite: Ground Strike
 * Cost: 2
 * Description: Ground Strike has a larger blast that can knock enemies down when used from higher elevations.

Chain Finisher
This skill is another that should be purchased as soon as possible; the skills down the center of this tree are most valuable, so as long as you purchase all preceding skills in the center, you should eventually obtain the second finisher. After performing one finisher, you'll have a small window to perform another by pressing psx: T psx: C again. If there are no enemies close by, you can try for a Web Strike to hit the second finisher, but to ensure you have time to perform the second finisher, do the first when another enemy is close by.
 * Prerequisite: Payback
 * Cost: 3
 * Description: Immediately perform a second Finisher on basic enemies.

Swing Kick
This is a good way to get air combos going, transition into attacking another enemy following an air combo, or simply separate enemies from their allies. Swing Kicks, like Web Throws, are necessary in completing some base and crime objectives, so it is best acquired early. Acquiring this skill also gives you access to the rest of the tree, which can provide some other useful skills depending on your play style.
 * Prerequisite: None
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Hold psx: S while in the air to Swing Kick enemies and send them flying.

Quick Zip
This skill is useful in maintaining speed while traversing the city (which can come in handy in certain story missions and when attempting the Taskmaster's Bomb and Drone Challenges). Web Zipping is a speedier way to get around the city, but it can only be done once between swings before Spider-Man loses altitude. This skill ensures that a second Web Zip can be performed immediately following the first, allowing Spider-Man to maintain his altitude and thus greatly increasing his speed.
 * Prerequisite: Swing Kick
 * Cost: 1
 * Description: Web Zip a second time without losing altitude.