Larian Studios Forums Divinity: Original Sin 2 Divinity - Original Sin 2 - Help/Tips/Tricks Do +skill items let me learn skills?

If I have 1 hydro (Base), 3 hydro total (+skill items). Can I learn the Hydro 3 skills or do they require the base investment to aquire?

skill levels do in fact count towards being able to use a skill however should you lose/change the gear after learning it you will no longer be able to use it again until you once again meet the requirements.