Howdy!
So, optical camouflage? Basic mod is fine, it provides 2 upgrades to Stealth... the mod option however: 1 skill (stealth) ... does this allow for a total 6 skill ranks if you already have it maxed out?
What about strength enhancing system with it's 2 skill (athletics) mod? Does this allow up to 7 ranks in Athletics?
Edit: removed cuz I was incorrect.
Edited by FuriousGregI believe you are incorrect.
EotE CRB (page 187):
"Skill and characteristic bonuses: This mod grants the user a bonus in the listed skill or characteristic as if he had +1 rank in that skill or characteristic when using the modded item."
Of course in some cases one could wonder what "uses" means, but that's a different discussion.
Howdy!
So, optical camouflage? Basic mod is fine, it provides 2 upgrades to Stealth... the mod option however: 1 skill (stealth) ... does this allow for a total 6 skill ranks if you already have it maxed out?
What about strength enhancing system with it's 2 skill (athletics) mod? Does this allow up to 7 ranks in Athletics?
Characteristics and skills can be raised one step above the normal maximum when using cybernetics. So (edit: I forgot what we were talking about, lol) I might consider allowing this, since it's an item that can be taken away or broken, and it's expensive. So the cost & issue of durability balance it out with cybernetics IMO.
But if a player is trying to be cheesy, I would enforce the RAW, and that is that skill ranks are capped at 5 unless you've got cybernetics.
Edited by awayputurwpnThat's what I thought, but then ... 5 ranks in stealth, fully modded optical enhancement thingy ... that's 6 ranks, not better than cybernetics, but then 2 upgrades on top of that...
Also, I ask because I'm home-brewing stuff and realised synergy ... 3 ranks and 3 upgrades ... that's sick. 8 ranks potential total then ... of course, with that many free ranks, you'd probably not spend XP in the skill... and then when I take your piggy away?!! MWAHAHAHAHAAA! 
I believe you are incorrect.
EotE CRB (page 187):
"Skill and characteristic bonuses: This mod grants the user a bonus in the listed skill or characteristic as if he had +1 rank in that skill or characteristic when using the modded item."
Of course in some cases one could wonder what "uses" means, but that's a different discussion.
My mistake. This is another one of those inconsistencies in the RAW and I missed it. For everything else it's +X = Add X & "X" = X but for some reason they didn't carry that over to Mods. I really wish they had went through and fixed their nomenclature so all the relevant RAW worked the same...