At second and third stages, you gain 1 point to spend freely wherever desired. This point may push a 3 into a 4, but it can not push a 4 into a 5.

1: They suck at this subject, most characters with a 1 in a given ability will try to avoid using it much in combat.

2: The character in question is average at the ability, relative to his stats.

3: The character in question is an expert at this ability.

4: The character is a total master in this ability.

Below is the list of all proficiencies, with which races get what. 'universal' means all races get it.

Unarmed Combat (Universal): Self explanatory, how good you are at grappling/punching/kicking/etc etc etc.

1: -1 to strength vs Durability/Strength comparisons
2: same as the stats say
3: +1 to strength vs Durability/Strength comparisons
4: +2 to strength vs Durability/Strength comparisons.

Houhou (universal): The ability to use a 'speed burst' to gain an edge in combat, treating your Reflexes, Assault, or Spirit Velocity as +2 higher than it actually is. Each use of a 'speed burst' has the cost listed below. Furthermore, one can use this ability to create a platform of Reishi on which to fight mid-air, in which case 1/2 the cost below is for each turn spent fighting in the air.

1: Costs 16 stamina
2: Costs 12 stamina
3: Costs 8 stamina
4: Costs 4 stamina

Weapon Combat (Shinigami, Vaizard Arrancar, and Quincy)

1: -1 to strength vs Durability/Strength comparisons
2: as the stats read
3: +1 to strength vs Durability/Strength comparisons
4: +2 to strength vs Durability/Strength comparisons

Ginto (Quincy only, Details on the magic page)

1: 3 tubes
2: 6 tubes
3: 9 tubes
4: 15 tubes

Hadou (Shinigami/Vaizard only, details on the magic page)

Bakudou (Shinigami/Vaizard only, details on the magic page)

Hierro (Menos/Arrancar only)

1: character's durability is treated as -1 in Durability vs Strength Comparisons
2: equal to the stats.
3: Character's durability is treated as +1 in durability vs strength comparisons
4: Character's durability is treated as +2 in durability vs strength comparisons

Regeneration(Menos/Arrancar only)

1: character's resistance is treated as -1 in resistance vs Spirit Comparisons
2: equal to stats
3: Character's resistance is treated as +1 in resistance vs Spirit comparisons
4: Character's resistance is treated as +2 in resistance vs Spirit comparisons

Cero(Menos/Arrancar only)

!: Character's blasts are treated as -1 in Spirit vs Resistance comparisons
2: equal to stats
3: Character's blasts are treated as +1 in Spirit vs Resistance comparisons
4: Character's blasts are treated as +2 in Spirit vs Resistance comparisons