[Anders]

I've been thinking about simplifying skills with lots of mandatory specialties, like Artist, Guns, or Driving, without going full Wildcard. I think reversing the procedure that creates an optional specialty might work - simply increase the difficulty of the skill one step and assume it encompasses all sub-specialties. Of course, don't use this in a campaign where you also use mandatory specialties, but it can do a lot to simplify a character and create someone who is competent with, say, all guns without knowing how to handle a crossbow or flamethrower (as Gun! would make you).