@Tymeaus Jalynsfein
That's quite simple to answer.
The skill table is not "off". You can work quite fine with it. The problem is, that sticking to the skill table is not the Minmaxing route to go.
To increase a skill from 4 to 5 cost only 10 Karma. From 5 to 6 cost only 12 Karma.
6 in his main weapon skill is profitable for any sam. No matter if it would fit the description.
If higher skill would be more expensive you would not see them as often. For example if a attributes/skills would cost ("new value")²/3 you would not aim for 5 or 6.
Because no matter how often you tend to shoot things an additional dice is not worth 6*6/3*2=24 Karma
Espacially if a skill from 0 to 3 would only cost 3+3+6= 12 Karma
With ³ it would be even more obvious.
But with this linear cost progression it takes a while untill it won't pay off anymore.
If you could increase your skills without limites, when would you stop?
7 for 14 Karma.
8 for 16 Karma.
9 for 18 Karma.
10 for 20 Karma.
11 for 22 Karma.
12 for 24 Karma.
etc.
My guess is it would be around 9 to 10 becaue the additional dice is not really making an impact anymore. And for this amount of Karma you could get a lot of other stuff. Same thing with Magic as it is.
Nobody thinks raising Magic to 10 or 11 is worth it in any way. (Expect for maybe free spirits)