I was going to go with what woudl be equal or lesser ECl at the level. let's see, my first level of illitid savant was going to be at level 23 if I remember rightly, and that's a skill steal I beleive, so 26 ranks in a skill.<br/><br/>and as for stacking, only if different types of abilities. If I steal Fast Healing 3, then steal Fast healing 5, I have Fast Healing 5, not 8. Same with stealing ranks or caster levels If I grab a sorcerer 20, to improve that effective level, I need to grab a sorcer of higher level, AND burn a second class ability. (each stealign ability can only be used once)<br/><br/>But, if that's an issue, and people are unhappy with that thought, I'll go play something else. No worries. :)