Alpha 17 introduces a more traditional RPG based leveling skill system. The way it works is you have to gain experience and dump the points into PERCEPTION, STRENGTH, FORTITUDE, AGILITY, AND INTELLIGENCE.

Once you have enough points put into the base attribute, you will unlock more and more advanced perks under each base attribute. The way to best spec your character will depend on your playstyle.

This guide will take the traditional base builder path. However, after level 15 you may pick and choose from there.

Currently, the best path to level up your character is to kill zombies so the first few levels will get your character up and running to clear out buildings and point farm the zombies for easy levels.

Playstyle: Base Builder

This is the suggested first 30 perks you should get if you are wanting to build a base and test your wits against the hordes.

Power Leveling: The fastest way to gain experience is to kill zombies. The most consistent method of killing zombies is to bash their brains out with a club. Level 1 - 15 is designed to give you a character that can clear out buildings, find loot, and kill zombies. Spend the first 15 levels killing zombies and point farming.

Base Building: The game has always been about seeing how long you can last against the hordes. This build will allow you to begin craft the forge, workshop, cement, weapons, traps, and electricity.

Power Leveling
1. Fortitude - Healing Factor - Level 1
   
2. Strength - Pack Mule - Level 1
   
3. Strength - Skull Crusher - Level 1
   
4. Fortitude - Slow Metabolism - Level 1
   
5. Agility - Rule 1: Cardio - Level 1
   
6. Perception - Lucky Looter - Level 1
   
7. Strength - Attribute Strength Base Level 2
   
8. Strength - Pack Mule - Level 2
   
9. Intellect - Attribute Intellect Base Level 2
   
10. Intellect - Master Chef - Level 1
    
11. Strength - Mother Lode - Level 1
    
12. Strength - Mother Lode - Level 2
    
13. Strength - Attribute Strength Base Level 3
    
14. Strength - Attribute Skull Crusher - Level 2
    
15. Strength - Mother Lode - Level 3
    
    Base Builder Mode
    
16. Intellect - Attribute Intellect Base Level 3
    
17. Intellect - Attribute Intellect Base Level 4
    
18. Intellect - Hammer & Forge - Level 1
    
19. Intellect - Attribute Intellect Base Level 5
    
20. Intellect - Hammer & Forge - Level 2
    
21. Intellect - Advanced Engineering - Level 1
    
22. Perception - Salvage Operations - Level 1
    
23. Perception - Attribute Perception Base Level 2
    
24. Perception - Lucky Looter - Level 2
    
25. Perception - Salvage Operations - Level 2
    
26. Intellect - Attribute Intellect Base Level 6
    
27. Intellect - Hammer & Forge - Level 3
    
28. Intellect - Attribute Intellect Base Level 7
    
29. Intellect - Advanced Engineering - Level 2
    
30. Intellect - Yeah, Science! - Level 1

I did this very quickly for my own character. If you like it and would like me to do the same for other playstyles please let me know.