Books which grant Skill Ranks

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

It's easier to balance an item that gives a bonus to a skill, rather than actual ranks.

I agree. An item that gives bonus ranks is actually useless to someone already trying to be as good at a skill as they can be. The point about prestige classes is a good one too. An item shouldn't give skill ranks, it should just give a skill bonus.

 

[SchlieffenPlan]

I agree. An item that gives bonus ranks is actually useless to someone already trying to be as good at a skill as they can be. The point about prestige classes is a good one too. An item shouldn't give skill ranks, it should just give a skill bonus.

I agree completely.

 

[Nezkrul]

there is a feat that gives 5 skill points (Open Minded); a feat that is either not part of a chain and has little or no prereqs or is the first feat of a chain is usually costed as either a +1 or +2 enhancement mod on weapons/armor or around 5,000 gold (you can also potentially use wishes to permanently acquire feats that you meet the prereqs of)

so, since 2 ranks is essentially what a level 1 character can have in a cross class skill (4 skill points), it should be valued as much as a feat on an item, but permanent would make it cost at least double (like a no-slot item); I would say 5,000 gold and 1 week of training per 1 skill rank (and no going over class/cross-class max)