Skill Learning Mechanics

It is one thing to know a skill, and another to master it.

In this setting, the stages of learning and mastering a skill can be divided into seven main stages.

Acquainted
The learner has seen the skill in question once or twice - enough to have an impression of it.

Familiar
The learner has seen the skill a few times, enough to remember its general outlines. Normally, a person can begin practicing at this stage, but the chance of failure will be high and progress slow.

Practicing
Whether with a teacher, or by oneself, the learner is beginning to practice the skill and use it.

Practiced
Through practice, the learner now understands how to use the skill, though they have yet to use it a lot in actual combat.

Advanced
The learner has, through combat experience, worked through the abilities of this skill in detail. They understand well its use and can adapt it, and most people know it well enough to teach it by this stage.

Mastery
Through years of use and practice, the learner is now a master, and the martial skill is at its full potential in their hands. This is when they can start using the skill to create other skills, in effect adding to its power.

Greater Mastery
Generally speaking, Greater Mastery is attainable only when someone creates their own martial skill; as it is their brainchild, they can modify and adapt it easily.

However, in rare occasions, someone else can achieve this level of mastery.