Rescue

[Synthesis]

I'll say it again:  request that the skill(s) be added.

I doubt very many characters actually live long enough or do diverse enough things for staff-administrated skill-adding to be a problem.

If you have a character concept that you -know- will use skills beyond the norm for the available classes, special app it.  Yes, it takes a little patience, but they're generally fairly lenient (these days, at least).

The fact that you have to put a lot of thought into a special application and the fact that the expected turnaround is so slow serves very well to keep the number of such applications low. (I've written up maybe 4 special apps in all my many years of playing.)  It also keeps the min/maxers, powergamers, twinks, newbs, and griefers from becoming sneaking, hiding, backstabbing warriors who can also poison their weapons, pick locks, toss fireballs, and craft silk dresses in their free time.

Yes, it's a little frustrating, but it works well enough.  As far as staff hassle, there is already a staff member assigned for special applications and things of that nature, so I don't see how it increases the workload.  If anything, increasing the number of special requests will simply make -players- wait longer for resolution.