Skill template format

This page describes the format of the skill template string. The information would be useful for a programmer working on tools that utilize these strings but have no significance for the average player.

Base 64
The skill template file consists of a single string such as ABJRkncAAAoVAAAAAAAA. This string is Base64 encoded. The following format assumes that the Base64 string has been decoded into a binary array.

Type/version header
The start of the template is a small header that specifies the template type and version.

For templates generated prior to April 5, 2007, the header contained:
 * 4 Bits - Version Number - 0

For templates generated after April 5, 2007, the header contains:
 * 4 Bits - Template Type - 14 (0xE) for Skill Template
 * 4 Bits - Version Number - 0

Professions
Next is a section describing the primary and secondary professions that are used in this template.


 * 2 Bits - A code controlling the number of encoded bits per profession id, decoded as follows: bits_per_profession_id = code * 2 + 4 (e.g. 0 = 4 bits per profession, 1 = 6 bits per profession, etc.)
 * n Bits - Primary Profession (see profession index)
 * n Bits - Secondary profession (see profession index)

Attributes
Next is a section containing the attributes.


 * 4 Bits - Count of attributes
 * 4 Bits - A code controlling the number of encoded bits per attribute id, decoded as follows: bits_per_attribute_id = code + 4

Then, for each attribute:
 * n Bits - Attribute id (see attribute index)
 * 4 Bits - Attribute points

Skills
Next the template contains the ids of each of the eight skills.


 * 4 Bits - A code controlling the number of encoded bits per skill id, decoded as follows: bits_per_skill_id = code + 8

Then, for each skill:
 * n Bits - Skill id (see skill index)

Optional Tail

 * 1 Bit - Always zero, the GuildWars client treats it as optional when reading template codes but always includes it when generating them.

Profession index
The following list gives an index number corresponding to a character's profession:
 * 0 - None
 * 1 - Warrior
 * 2 - Ranger
 * 3 - Monk
 * 4 - Necromancer
 * 5 - Mesmer
 * 6 - Elementalist
 * 7 - Assassin
 * 8 - Ritualist
 * 9 - Paragon
 * 10 - Dervish

Attribute index
The following list gives an index number corresponding to an attribute:
 * 0 - Fast Casting
 * 1 - Illusion Magic
 * 2 - Domination Magic
 * 3 - Inspiration Magic
 * 4 - Blood Magic
 * 5 - Death Magic
 * 6 - Soul Reaping
 * 7 - Curses
 * 8 - Air Magic
 * 9 - Earth Magic
 * 10 - Fire Magic
 * 11 - Water Magic
 * 12 - Energy Storage
 * 13 - Healing Prayers
 * 14 - Smiting Prayers
 * 15 - Protection Prayers
 * 16 - Divine Favor
 * 17 - Strength
 * 18 - Axe Mastery
 * 19 - Hammer Mastery
 * 20 - Swordsmanship
 * 21 - Tactics
 * 22 - Beast Mastery
 * 23 - Expertise
 * 24 - Wilderness Survival
 * 25 - Marksmanship
 * 29 - Dagger Mastery
 * 30 - Deadly Arts
 * 31 - Shadow Arts
 * 32 - Communing
 * 33 - Restoration Magic
 * 34 - Channeling Magic
 * 35 - Critical Strikes
 * 36 - Spawning Power
 * 37 - Spear Mastery
 * 38 - Command
 * 39 - Motivation
 * 40 - Leadership
 * 41 - Scythe Mastery
 * 42 - Wind Prayers
 * 43 - Earth Prayers
 * 44 - Mysticism

Skill index
The list gives an index number corresponding to a skill. Please visit this page for the list of skills by their skill id.