Hello, I'm new to this type of game and it's rank system. I'm not 100% on how it works. I am also not 100% certain I don't have a bug. I have put 10 points into the first level for intellect. The first item under the initial rank does not allow me the option to place points into it. All of the other perks give me the option even the second perk under the primary intellect base allows me to add points. Did I break it? Is it normal? Or...?

You have a max of 10 points for each S.P.E.C.I.A.L category. As you've seen, there's a perk-tree under each one. Some of these perks can only be opened when you've reached a specific number of points for that particular S.P.E.C.I.A.L category. Once enough points have been gained you're not restricted to just opening the next perk down within the perk-tree. You can open any number of the perks offered, picking which one you want - so long as you have enough points to open it. Yes, some of the perks are automatically available from the start.

At the start of you're character build it's wise to spread your allocated number of points across a range of SPECIAL abilities. As an example, I put most of my points into Perception, Intelligence, Agility, Luck. Spreading what was left amongst the remaining SPECIAL categories.

Tip. If you want/choose to, you can google how to gain as many points as you chose to unlock all your SPECIAL's.

Thanks for the info. So it would seem then, that the perk is already unlocked, as I can now fill in the second perk.