Cultural Flair: Competency Bonus or Bonus Ranks?

[Fenris]

In my homebrew world I intended to give bonus skill rank based upon race and culture. This was to reflect the cultural propensity for a task. But I was thinking that perhaps giving extra ranks would be unbalancing. I can certainly see giving a +2 bonus to diplomacy instead of two ranks. The net effect is the same. But a +2 bonus to profession:sailor or craft: weaving doesn't work as well. Perhaps I should give bonus ranks for crafts and professions and competency bonuses for other skills? Feedback, advantages/disadvantages of ranks vs. comp. bonuses?

P.S. All my cultures basically get 4 ranks of bonuses, usually a craft or a profession and then either knowledge local, or a language or a culturally vital skill.

 

[haiiro]

Feedback, advantages/disadvantages of ranks vs. comp. bonuses?

I would steer clear of giving bonus ranks, and stick to giving check bonuses. Rank minimums are often used as PrC requirements, and providing bonus ranks (whether during character creation, via feats, etc.) can throw things off by allowing a PC to enter a PrC too soon. For all intents and purposes, giving check bonuses should accomplish basically the same result without any of the hassles.