Open Locks & Disable Device - What if...

[Ran]

The very fact that most rogues take max ranks in these two skills without a second thought indicates that they do not need to be made more powerful.

I Agree with you on the idea of skill choice equivalece, and that was probably the reason behind the changes, but I say that your reason for balance here is a bit flawed...

I have seen people have max ranks every level on animal empathy, and even so it was ripped out, balance is not determined by how common it is to pick it, it can even be a criteria for detecting broken rules...

The reason people picked animal empathy a lot and rogue pick open locks and disable device a lot (and a lot is not always, for I have seen a rogue without both) is that it is part of the core skills of the class, it is something everyone looks your character to fill, and you do want to fill it, when you don't you hear:

Huh? What kind of rogue cannot open a door? Whatever you have done I know it is not a rogue...

Anyway, it is a very good point to consider, and I am not really sure it I am gonna unite both skills, the arguments and ideas is what making me consider the options, and of course, that will help when I present the idea for my players...