some of the nwe skills are the same as some of the old skills, the reason for this is so that people that didnt get phropicies, still can use some of the core skills.
Good point Hat. I can also see other possible uses for some.. I saw a skill which greatly increases the recharge of another skill as a 'trade-off' to it's bonuses: could be quite handy to have two of them then.. not sure, but anyway.. I've seen quite a few skills which are the same now.