I like the use of the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" but no one cites the full darn thing! It's actually quite important!
"Jack of all trades, master of none, certainly better than a master of one."
It's better to have lots of skills at a good to great level, than just have one skilled mastered. My old music teacher taught me that when I was only focused on singing (due to voice acting training) when I actually have a talent for being able to pick up any kind of instrument. It's better to learn more than one to fit the occasion than just learn one, perfect it and only be able to partake in certain things.
But where does "too skilled" hit? That depends on the person, the age and the limitations that person would have physically and mentally. A thirteen year old shouldn't be able to have a load of skills that are at a great or adept level, but there are a lot of thirteen year olds out there that have mastered one particular thing. Someone in their thirties can be much more skilled due to experience and time and perhaps mastered one particular thing on top. An even older person might be able to master two things, but be weaker at others. The physical and mental limitations come in based on their attributes. Someone not entirely fit shouldn't be able to be skilled a multiple sport or martial arts, someone who's has difficulty processing information in their head shouldn't be able to be skilled at multiple mental skills or magic. Note the multiple, they can probably handle one or two, but not a lot. Even the environment they are in is a factor. So many factors.
tl;dr: There's no exact answer, it should be based on numerous factors in that person's life and the person in question. It cannot be a fixed number, but for a writer perhaps setting on based on those factors is a good idea.Â
That said though, it's better to have multiple skills and a great level than be a master of just one.Â
"Jack of all trades, master of none, certainly better than a master of one."
It's better to have lots of skills at a good to great level, than just have one skilled mastered. My old music teacher taught me that when I was only focused on singing (due to voice acting training) when I actually have a talent for being able to pick up any kind of instrument. It's better to learn more than one to fit the occasion than just learn one, perfect it and only be able to partake in certain things.
But where does "too skilled" hit? That depends on the person, the age and the limitations that person would have physically and mentally. A thirteen year old shouldn't be able to have a load of skills that are at a great or adept level, but there are a lot of thirteen year olds out there that have mastered one particular thing. Someone in their thirties can be much more skilled due to experience and time and perhaps mastered one particular thing on top. An even older person might be able to master two things, but be weaker at others. The physical and mental limitations come in based on their attributes. Someone not entirely fit shouldn't be able to be skilled a multiple sport or martial arts, someone who's has difficulty processing information in their head shouldn't be able to be skilled at multiple mental skills or magic. Note the multiple, they can probably handle one or two, but not a lot. Even the environment they are in is a factor. So many factors.
tl;dr: There's no exact answer, it should be based on numerous factors in that person's life and the person in question. It cannot be a fixed number, but for a writer perhaps setting on based on those factors is a good idea.Â
That said though, it's better to have multiple skills and a great level than be a master of just one.Â
