As you know, a subrace that has an intelligence bonus will have fewer skill points in EfU than it should have because the bonus is applied in game; and likewise subraces with intelligence penalties get more skill points for the same reason.

I was wondering if this could be solved by some sort of an invisible token or a small inventory item that would be given to the character upon character creation. The player would choose beforehand which skill the token represents and then it would provide the appropriate bonus or penalty (character level + 3 for a class skill, or (character level / 2) + 1, rounded up, for a cross-class skill). In case of a subrace that has an intelligence penalty, the player would of course have to put all their extra skill points in the chosen skill.

In case of special subraces that require an application, I don't think this would be much of a problem since such characters require overseeing by a DM anyways upon character creation. (As far as I've understood) However, I do realize that it might be impossible in practice to do this for Wild Elves, Wood Elves and Sun Elves, which don't require an application, since the procedure would be impossible to automate via scripting (the player has to choose the skill first). I'm also not 100% certain if a level-dependent skill modifier like that could be scripted in the first place -- but seeing that it's possible to add a level-dependent Spell Resistance for drow and svirfneblin PCs, I guess it could be done.

Anyways, just a thought.

Probably not worth the work, although if we decide it is, it's probably still a really low priority.

If HAKs come, this problem can be solved with one.

I 500% second the idea that something should be done about it. It has a large impact ingame since effectively, you lose an entire ability when you don't get the extra skill point because of the +2 Int bonus, unless you sacrifice points elsewhere, which you shouldn't.

However, equipping items would be a pain, but what I think should be done is that any Int modifying subrace (eg Sun elves) get their bonuses with something like Leto, by a DM. Otherwise, I'm sure there are certain script functions or DM commands that could set the caracteristics dynamically.

However, this would make the character become invalid for anti-cheat checks, so I don't know if that would be problematic

Another point is that the subrace system, as is, messes up requirements for feats and the like. Imagine you take 11 int basic, then chose sun elf : you should be allowed expertise as a feat, but your not. Likewise, penalties are circumvented : if you can have 12 str and power attack.

In the end, its sad that the subraces aren't totally working correctly, since they add alot to the atmosphere of the game, but a lot of players avoid them because in the end, taking the base race involves less hassle.

1) If the DM's started Letoing characters regularly, we'd never get to DM or build. That would be very bad for the server.

2) Once we Leto someone for additional skills, they will no longer pass a legal character check and won't be able to log in. We aren't willing to turn this feature off.

We understand subraces aren't perfect, but they get the job close enough, and the amount of effort to get the rest of the way would be better used elsewhere for more benefit.