Allow a specification of "first N levels are exempt from pyramid structure" where N defaults to 0. (If it was 1, you could have fewer Mediocre skills than Fair, but not fewer Fair than Good, etc).
Allow specification of on-this-phase, spend X skill points on non skill elements (e.g., items, allies, etc).
Allow specification for different levels having differing costs.
Allow specification of certain phases as having "plot point" or other
bonuses (default 0 each phase, but can be set to 1 or more)