Again, this is partly down to the fact that Str/Dex/Int (and Con/Spd/Per) are stats that increase separately from skills but actually set the power of those skills. Since dropping "stats" entirely in favor of a unified system (skills and talents but no more Str/Dex/Int/etc stats) probably isn't on that cards at this stage of development, it isn't likely to be resolved without leaving PC abilities spread too thin to allow diversification or one or the other ability set being 'hollow' (currently that set being the skills).
I dont agree that is the only choice here. Both stats and "skills" can influence character eventual skills and abilities in the game. One doesnt need to be removed or minimized for the other.
While there is no real need to make them artificially equal either.
Some smaller effects can be still added to skills and spells to make them more worthy, while leaving stats influence as it is.
Since the number of skills per category isn't uniform (although it might be by release, it wouldn't necessarily stay that way once mods and such enter the picture), it isn't particularly easy to link anything else to the number of skills known.
There is no need to do that at all. There can be as many skills as you like. Its the players decision which ones to take and use or not.
One possible approach would be to do away with skill books and make investing in the skills (points wise) directly give you the associated skills (specific action-wise), although this would probably need to come with a level requirement (the 4/7/10/whatever progression), so Rank 1 in Fire immediately gives Burning Touch and Flare, Rank 2 in fire gives (whatever the character level 4 Fire skills are), etc. Intelligence would still determine the power and AP cost.
That would almost completely destroy any sense of uniqueness to any character build any player makes since then all players would play with completely identical robots. There would be no choice to it.
