I was thinking of using associated ability scores for skills:
Basically, each character gets class modifier + 1/3 their combined stat modifier in skills.
Taking an average fighter (I think this conforms to point buy, not sure)
16
12
14
10
12
8
2 + 1/3 * 6 = 4 skills
The fight can put all his skills into STR based skills, 3 into DEX based skills, all into CON based skills, 2 into INT based skills, 3 into WIS based skills, and 1 into CHA based skills.
Temporary modifiers (potions, magic items, etc) would not add to this but bonuses from levels, tomes, and permanent boosts from class would.
This way your characters aren't hosed if they didn't put alot of points into INT at the start of the game.
Alternatively, you could do away with cross class skill and allow characters to purchase only 1 + positive ability modifier skills points per attribute:
Thus, in the example above, the fighter could put 1 point into a CHA based skill per level, but could put 4 points per level into STR based skills.
*Note, this system breaks down when using characters with unbalanced stats, such as a half dragon troll werebear, which would get around 13 skill points a level simply from the stat ajustments.
Basically, each character gets class modifier + 1/3 their combined stat modifier in skills.
Taking an average fighter (I think this conforms to point buy, not sure)
16
12
14
10
12
8
2 + 1/3 * 6 = 4 skills
The fight can put all his skills into STR based skills, 3 into DEX based skills, all into CON based skills, 2 into INT based skills, 3 into WIS based skills, and 1 into CHA based skills.
Temporary modifiers (potions, magic items, etc) would not add to this but bonuses from levels, tomes, and permanent boosts from class would.
This way your characters aren't hosed if they didn't put alot of points into INT at the start of the game.
Alternatively, you could do away with cross class skill and allow characters to purchase only 1 + positive ability modifier skills points per attribute:
Thus, in the example above, the fighter could put 1 point into a CHA based skill per level, but could put 4 points per level into STR based skills.
*Note, this system breaks down when using characters with unbalanced stats, such as a half dragon troll werebear, which would get around 13 skill points a level simply from the stat ajustments.