Does this game have a low skill ceiling?

I'm approaching level 40 and I feel like the skill ceiling for this game is far, far too low.

I don't think preparing a good build is skill. That's just preparation, which any middle school educated person can do. Skill is APM. I have a 0.97 cast time on my spells means 60 apm, which is pitifully low skill ceiling.

If I remember correctly, a well organized, geared caster in D2 had enough faster cast rate to get about 3-4 casts a second, or 180 to 240 apm. Furthermore, the game had a lot of utility spells to save you, which I don't see much of in this game.

In my opinion, both the utility skills and APM are what make a high skill ceiling. Knowing when to flee and fleeing in a timely manner.

If I am wrong about the utility skills, or I have a VERY low faster cast speed, feel free to say so. I've only reached level 40 on cruel.

aRPGs in general have a low "skill ceiling", that's just how these games work. I'm not sure why you think that casting 180 fireballs at an enemy in D2 requires any kind of skill?

High APM combined with multiple units makes for high skill ceiling.

High APM with a single unit actually serves to lower the skill ceiling, as the game then clearly requires that you perform a single action over and over again, instead of occupying your time with strategic though or some other form of skilful action.

Im assuming you're using Fireball.

With FP, its possible to encroach upon 5 casts per second. I've gotten around 4.5 before, and not as a gimmick

In my opinion, this kind of game focus more on "skill" in terms of character planning/building and min-maxing rather than character control.

This isn't Starcraft. Although there is a highish skill ceiling for non-default league, it doesn't take all that much to become 'masterful' of all the active skills in the game.

I think that, in time, PvP through arenas and league-types such as Cutthroat will demand a higher skill ceiling as new skills and unique items are released and the core mechanics are balanced.

Further from then, the team will probably start making PvE challenges as well. Hell, I might even be underestimating Act 3.

Until this game is fully realized through the gradual release of content patches, it'll have a low skill ceiling because the developers aren't completely focused on making it higher yet.

apm =/= skill, gtfo.

Lol. D2 having a high skill ceiling? All you ever needed to know was how to namelock, and that's only for PvP.

I don't think ARPGs are about skill. They're more casual games.
Kind of like The Sims except with less furniture and more zombies.

If you're looking for an APM kind of skill ceiling, I think RTS is more down your alley.
If you're looking for twitch skill, try an FPS.
If you're looking to have a cup of coffee in one hand and play with the other, PoE is for you.