| Forsetti |
My vote is to keep skill points; but combine the skills the way they are in Pathfinder.
The new skill system seems like a huge step backwards to proficiency slots to me.
With the new skill system, why wouldn't I always start as a Rogue and get a huge number of skills from the broadest range that will continue to increase even though from 2nd level on; I took levels of Fighter? That's a HUGE flaw.
They new system also encourages cookie cutter skill selection. I think you'll see the majority of a class taking the same skill selection becaus it's an all or nothing choice. If I want to be better than the average joe at jumping; I have to be at an olympic level.
If people want a simple system for skills; all they have to do is pick a number of skills at first level equal to their skill points per level and always max them out. If you change classes; you pick which are going to progress from that point.
Don't throw away versatility and player choice for the sake of laziness. The skill point system does require a (very) little more record keeping on the part of the player; but it's still an almost trivial amount. A human rogue with an 18 intelligence gets 13 skill points to allocate at each level. How hard is that? It requires no math to speak of and no chart checking. It's pretty basic.
The skill point system also allows for in game rewards based on the character's experiences; as well as minor treasure that doesn't affect game balance; but aids characters in other ways. As a DM, I've given characters a few free ranks of profession (Sailor) because the group served on a ship for a while. I've handed out books as treasure that gave ranks in knowledge, profession, or craft skills.
In my group, players often put ranks in a skill based on their character background; even though there's no in game benefit to it. We've had a rogue with a few ranks of Craft (Carpentry) because he was a carpenter's son; a sorceress with ranks in Profession (Innkeeper), and a cleric with ranks in Profession (Miner). They never increased the skills and they didn'r come in to play except rarely; but it added flavor to the characters.
By forcing characters to pick a few skils and effectively max them out; you're not adding to the enjoyment of the game; you're detracting from it.
If you want to put an optional rule in where people pick a few skills to max out; it wouldn't take up much space.
Adding additional skills as you increase in level means that a character with a decent intelligence is going to have almost all of his class skills by the time he reaches 20th level. All members of a class should not have the same skill set.