Simplified Skills (3.5e Variant Rule)

The Problem
The 'level+3' formulation of maximum skill ranks is more than a little annoying. It means that skill points have to be multiplied by four at 1st level, which makes taking up a skill at later levels more than a little stupid, as it requires far more investment then that it does at creation.

The Solution
The maximum number of ranks you can have in a class skill is equal to your character level, and one-half of this for cross-class skills. You no longer multiply skill points by four at first level, and anything that requires skill ranks as a prerequisite has this requirement reduced by 3 (to a minimum of 1 rank). Additionally, anything that is calculated off skill ranks counts your ranks as 3 higher than normal for this purpose only, provided that you have at least 1 rank in the required skill.

Any skill that you have any ranks in receives a +3 bonus on all of its checks.