Touché on that, but 2 things. 1) VtM:B was expertly paced and really not stingy with the XP 2) We could assign stats from scratch during new game.
In this case, I have a character with preassigned stats that must assign his first level up in wisdom and agility (or not wear any armor) to be able to make the checks before the arena. And if he makes the checks, that probably means he is a combat wimp.
I don't know I just felt railroaded and I really despise that.
You're not railroaded.
Your stats aren't preassigned. Everything starts at a base of 15, and you choose where to put all your stats in after that. No real checks (This isn't including the two tutorial checks which auto-pass in the Palace) occur before you have a chance to assign your first stat points.
No check needs to be made to progress, especially not the ones before the arena. That agility check just makes it so you don't take an extra hit at the start of combat (In one of the easiest encounters in the game). And the Wisdom check is for bonus information that isn't vital to the story or progression.
And yes, if you choose to put your stats into non-combative attributes, you won't be as good at combat. No, you can't be good at everything. No, you can't pass every check. What you choose to spec in matters in what you will and will not be able to do. That's by design, which is why stat checks lead to either optional bonuses or there's multiple different ways to proceed utilizing different stats and choices. Heck, you can even SKIP most of the the arena period.
So no. I know for a fact you're not being railroaded, especially during the Arena segment.