[Awrya]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

Spoiler for SAO mechanics:

part of it is because Silica's character isn't built very well.

there is total of 12 skill slots and she use 3 of them on Sewing/MusicalInstruments/Cooking. She left out skills like BattleHealing/Sprint/Tracking/Hiding

which goes back to Survival Strategy, Make your character built very CAREFULLY. it could mean the difference between being able survive to reach a town or dying in a dungeon.

As you level up, the amount of skills you can use increases. In First Day side story Kirito started off with only 2 skill slots, One-handed Sword and Searching (or Tracking?).

About Silica: She isn't part of the clearers, she is a mid-level player. When mid-level players do dungeons or hunt mobs, they do it out of boredom or to earn enough money for basic needs. Their main focus isn't necessarily rare items or gear upgrade like it is for clearers.
They weren't thinking of maximising their character potential (outside the necessary combat skills) when choosing skills.